From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver comes a luminous novel that glows with rare magic, ghostly wonders, and a true friendship that lights even the darkest of places. An E. B. White Read-Aloud Honor Book, it’s perfect for fans of the author’s other middle grade novels: The Spindlers and the Curiosity House series.
Liesl lives in a tiny attic bedroom, locked away by her cruel stepmother. Her only friends are the shadows and the mice—until one night a ghost named Po appears from the darkness.
That same evening, an alchemist's apprentice named Will makes an innocent mistake that has tremendous consequences for Liesl and Po, and it draws the three of them together on an extraordinary journey.
A lonely orphan, a mysterious ghost, and a runaway apprentice are drawn together by a powerful secret. What will they risk for a chance at a new beginning?
An Unlikely Friendship: A lonely girl, a ghost from the Other Side, and a runaway alchemist’s apprentice must learn to rely on each other when the whole world seems to be against them.A Touching Ghost Story: Po isn’t a scary ghost—he’s a friend. But his appearance in Liesl’s attic is only the first step on a journey that will bridge the world of the living and the dead.A Hopeful Quest: Liesl is determined to fulfill her father’s last wish, but a terrible mix-up puts a powerful and dangerous magic in her hands instead.A Timeless Read-Aloud: With beautiful, lyrical prose, this E. B. White Read-Aloud Honor Book is a perfect story for families to share, exploring themes of grief, hope, and the magic of finding your place in the world.