Liesl and Po

The sun hasn’t shown in over 1,000 days, and it’s been three days since Liesl’s father died. Liesl has been locked up in her step-mother’s tower—to keep her out of harm’s way, of course—since her father died. One night, a cookie-cutter figure of a person materializes in her dark room, along with its pet companion. The ghost’s name is Po and it came from the Other Side. When asked if it is a boy or a girl, Po explains it doesn’t remember; on the Other Side, things are different. So begins the friendship of Po and Liesl. Around the same time that Po and Liesl meet, we are introduced to Will, the Alchemist’s orphan apprentice. Will has just been given another late night assignment, to deliver to most impressive magic the Alchemist has ever created to the Lady Premiere and also to get materials from the coroner. The magic he must give to the Lady is rumored to bring the dead back to life. Will accidentally mixes up the box with the magic and the box at the coroner’s that holds Liesl’s father’s ashes. From that one mistake, Will finds himself on the run. Liesl, too, is on the run, having escaped from the tower to deliver what she thinks is her father’s ashes to their old home. Liesl, Will, and Po find themselves in the adventure of a life time and form a friendship strong enough to transcend dimensions.

Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver (acclaimed author of Before I Fall and Delirium) is a charming tale about friendship, magic, family, and the power of belief. Oliver’s writing is lyrical, with a fairy tale quality. Illustrations interspersed throughout the book really make the story come alive. This book is highly recommended for fans of the supernatural, fairy tales, and books with beautiful writing.