Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver

Reviewed by Lori
Title: Liesl & Po

Author: Lauren Oliver

Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 71661

Description:  A mix-up involving the greatest magic in the world has tremendous consequences for Liesl, an orphan who has been locked in an attic, Will, an alchemist's runaway apprentice, and Po, a ghost, as they are pursued by friend and foe while making an important journey.

Rubric Rating: Level 3 - Laud It

Why I Read It: Read the Delirium Series by this author and thought I would try this stand alone title.

Notes: An intricately connected novel, with a wide cast of interesting characters.  Liesl, after the death of her father, has been relegated by her horrible step-mother to a room in the attic (very reminiscent of many fairytales).  There she meets the ghosts of Po and Bundle. They are drawn to Liesl literally by her drawings. Po becomes the go between for Liesl and the otherside.  Meanwhile, Will, the magicians apprentice who has been watching Liesl from the street below mistakenly picks up Liesl’s father’s remains instead of the magic he was supposed to deliver to the lady premiere.  This accidental switch sets off a chain of events that lead Will and Liesl into a crash course toward one another. As Will tries to escape the Magician and irate Lady Premiere who have received Liesl’s father’s ashes, Liesl travels with Po and the box of magic to bury what she believes to be her father’s remains next to her mother at their country cottage.   As Liesl and Will’s paths intersect the story picks up momentum and the wide cast of characters come together for a fitting end. The darkness and hardship of the novel is mirrored in the environment and as things begin to change for the children the world changes as well. The illustrations in the novel are quite beautiful and well support the story.

Recommended Readers:  Grade 6 and up.  Anyone that likes fairytales and stories with magic.  

Themes: Orphans, Ghosts, Death and the Afterlife, Intersecting Stories, Magic and Magicians, Changing Identities, Illustrated Novel, Historical fiction, Quests and Journeys


Cross-Genre Links:
Literature: Fairy Tale Archetypes
Social Studies: Orphans, Care of Children
Art: Drawing and Sketch
Movie: Mirror Mask (2005)

Inquiries and Activities:

  • How are Will and Liesl drawn to one another? 
  • Create a web of the characters and describe how they are all interconnected. 
  • Create a drawing or painting of the sun like Po requests from Liesl.
  • What do you think happens to Liesl and Will after the novel ends? 
  • Who is Mo? What do you think of his character?
  • How does this novel deal with death and the afterlife?
  • How does this novel follow and stray from archetypal fairy tale traditions?

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