B من عند Chak Qazian, باكستان من عند Chak Qazian, باكستان

** spoiler alert ** I was really anxious to read this book. I love reading juvenile fiction because the worlds that the authors create are places I want to be. In this book, I really want to go to the Other Side just to see the wonders that it has to offer. Once it comes out, I buying myself a copy and one for an upcoming giveaway. I have not read any of Lauren Oliver books but if they are as good as this one then I’m going to go check them out. You get a new type of fantasy, one with adventure but also sorrow and heartfelt moments that was such a joy to read. Liesl’s stepmother has locked her away from the world in a tiny little attic. In the attic, Liesl draws pictures from her memories or imagination. But after her father passes away, she doesn’t draw anymore. This is what brings Po to her. Po is a ghost that has a shape of boy but on the Other Side, Po is neither boy nor girl, it is just Po. Along with him, Bundle is neither cat nor dog, just a pet that follows Po everywhere. The Other Side is where ghosts go to when they aren’t ready to go to Beyond. Po came to Liesl to ask her why she wasn’t drawing anymore. They end up making a deal. Po will search for Liesl’s father on the Other Side, while Liesl draws him a picture. Below Liesl’s window, a boy named Will watches her. He is an apprentice to alchemist and who sent Will out that night to do errands. Will has watch Liesl draw many nights. That night he was hoping she would be at the window again. After he sees her appear, Will goes back to do his errands. He is very tired but has to finish his errands. Will is holding a very important box that needs to be delivered, but before he makes the delivery, he goes to Mr. Gray’s home to pick up items. There he leaves the magic box and picks up the wrong box, which leaves to a train of events. Because of the mistake, Liesl, Po, and Will are mixed up into an adventure that involves Liesl’s father’s ashes and a box of the most powerful magic. Lauren Oliver gives you a set of characters and great adventure that everyone can grow to love. Highly recommend for young, old, and the in between, to pick up this unforgettable book. -Danny

Aside from all its other merits--which I can't do justice to extemporaneously, here--this book contains the best justification for creating art that I've ever read. The warm secrecy of it, the sense of having something inviolable all to yourself: Then her eye caught the salt cellar, which she had placed there to remind her, and she remembered that next morning she would move the tree further towards the middle, and her spirits rose so high at the thought of painting tomorrow that she laughed out loud at what Mr Tansley was saying. Yes. That.