A delightful, scary and magical novel for children of all ages from bestselling author Lauren Oliver.
We meet Liesl the night after the day her young father has died. That same day she is visited by a ghost, Po, an eight year old boy who lives on the other side, the territory between life and death that runs parallel to the living world.
Po has come to tell her that her father is stuck on the other side, and that she is the only one who can help him cross over.
A couple of wooden boxes. Some ashes. Some magic dust. A ghost, its pet, and a boy who forgot to wear a hat in the cold. From these seemingly odd, random characters Oliver weaves the enchanting story of how, with the aid of Liesl, these elements come together over the course of one week to restore love and luster to a world gone grey and heartless.
About The Author
Lauren Oliver was previously an editorial assistant at a publishing house in New York. A graduate of the University of Chicago and the MFA program at New York University, she is now a full-time writer and lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Industry Reviews
An absolute delight ... The story is packed with mystery, murder, adventure, humour and magic, but above all it is a beautiful evocation of loss, tempered by the gradual blossoming of friendship, trust and hope. Although aimed at younger readers, the lightness of touch and the tenderness of the message could make grown men weep. Daily Mail A gorgeous story--timeless and magical. Rebecca Stead, Newbery winner for When You Reach Me A wonderfully imaginative, startlingly moving and at times wickedly funny fantasy. With nods to Dahl, Dickens, the Grimms and even Burnett, the author has made something truly original. An irresistible read: this book sings. Kirkus Invigorating and hopeful, this novel testifies to the power of friendship and generosity to conquer greed and depression. Publishers Weekly This original fairy tale, told by a wise and humorous omniscient narrator and peopled with broadly drawn but instantly recognizable characters, avoids sentimentality to show the magic of accepting loss without letting go and finding joy in the lives left behind. Booklist A beautifully written book about loss, family, friendship and discovery - and the illustrations add a touch of magic too. Press Association Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver brings much-needed magic to an increasingly neglected age group ... there are some exquisitely drawn characters ... it's books like this, with its classic quest plot, intertwined with lyrical metaphysics, that can set a child up for life. Sunday Telegraph