The Golden Compass

Title: The Golden Compass
Author: Philip Pullman
Published: April 1996
ISBN: 9780679879244
Price: 20.00
Genre: fiction, fantasy
Reading Level: 8th grade
Interest Level:  8th-12th grade
Awards: ALA Notable Children's Books, Booklist Editor's Choice, Carnegie Medal, YALSA Best Books for Young Adults
Plot Summary: Lyra is an orphan who lives among the scholars at Jordan college. But when Lyra's uncle, Lord Asriel , visits the college it sets everyone at ease. Lyra sneaks into the closet and is able to not only see some one attempt to poison her uncle but she also gets to hear about his discovery up north of dust and a city beyond the clouds. Lyra is then taken by Mrs. Coulter and while things start out okay Lyra soon starts too feel that Mrs. Coulter is not as kind as she appears on the outside. Then there is the issues of children going missing. Even her playmate Roger is a victim of this mysterious disappearance. Lyra soon sets off on a quest up north to save Roger. Her quest leads her to amazing adventures and terrifying discoveries.
Review: Philip Pullman has created an amazing and magical world. I really enjoy the creation of the animal daemons in the story. Pullman is able to create a complex story with many twists and turns and mysteries without overwhelming the reader. The story is an epic magical quest lead by a smart, witty and at times stubborn Lyra. She is far wiser than her years and acts very bravely for a girl of only 11 years old. The story also weaves in scientific and religious elements that are embattled in an epic battle for power and access to the world in the sky. It's often times difficult to know who you can trust in the story since both sides seem out for their own well being. Meanwhile Lyra is caught in the middle trying to do what she feels is best.
Reader's Annotation: Lyra is an orphan living a carefree life at Jordan College. But when Lyra learns about the dust and world in the sky up north Lyra sets on an epic quest.
Bibliotherapeutic usefulness: Lyra's epic quest challenges her innocence as she learns that not everyone is trustworthy. Lyra must use her own smarts and gut feelings to decide who she can trust. She also learns that she must take chances and battle against evil. 
Issues: The story has offended many in the religious community for being ant-religious, anti-god and sacrilegious. Philip Pullman has been very outspoken about his atheist views and some feel he is trying to force them on his young readers.
Book Talk Ideas: There is many intriguing aspects to this story like the daemons that everyone poses, or the idea of dust that lives in all living things. These can be used to hook readers into the story.
Main Themes: Quests, friendship, heroes, religion, science
Read-alikes: Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve
Author Website:  http://www.philip-pullman.com/
Professional Reviews: Kirkus Reviews
Publisher's Weekly
Why this book was chosen: This particular book was formally challenged at my library by a religious group who wanted the book removed. The story is very popular with teens despite its controversy. The book has also gained popularity due to the movie based on the book.