Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver

Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver is about Liesl, a little girl that lives a tough life.  After her father dies, Liesl's step-mother locks her in the attic.  She's been there for over a year!  But, one evening a strange little ghost named Po appears and they become instant friends.  This book is also about Will, an alchemist's apprentice who has secretly admired Liesl through her attic window for as long as she's been imprisoned there.  Will makes a terrible mistake one evening, unknowingly exchanging the box of powerful magic he was supposed to be delivering with a box full of Liesl's father's ashes.  Thus begins an adventure for Liesl, Po and Will that changes everything for them all!

This was an AWESOME story!  There were many different side stories that all came together by the end.  This is not your typical fairy tale/fantasy novel!  All in all, a fantastic middle grade novel.