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The Golden Compass: His Dark Materials, Book 1

(1998, Fiction - Fantasy, Written by Philip Pullman, Illustrated by No Illustrator)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0

  • Common Sense says

    A violent fantasy, with elements of mystery.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    One of Lyra's virtues is her ability to lie convincingly.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Some vivid descriptions of battle scenes. High suspense and escapes from evildoers, two of whom are the heroine's parents. Two children are killed. Experiments are performed on children.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Golden Compass: His Dark Materials, Book 1

Parents need to know that there are some vivid descriptions of battle scenes. There are also some tense escapes from evildoers, two of whom are the heroine's parents, and two children are killed. One of Lyra's virtues is her ability to lie convincingly, but she prizes friendship and loyalty. The British dialogue and clever twists on common words may confuse some Americans, but the fantasy will make readers' imaginations soar.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the concepts of other worlds and daemons. What is the same and what is different about Lyra's world and ours? If you had a daemon, what do you think he or she would look like? How did a character's daemon help you decide whether they were friend or foe?
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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    whateverfloats
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Intelligent and Exciting Fantasy Novel

    This was my favourite book for years. Every child (and adult) should be exposed to this imaginative adventure story.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    mompop99
    I rate this title off for age 5 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    bad bad bad bad bad for older kids

    bad bad bad dont read it it is for little kids

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    mompop99
    I rate this title off for age 5 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    better for 5 year olds

    i hate beacause to much inappriote stuff

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Adult Reviewer
    whateverfloats
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Wonderful adventure story

    This was my favourite book for years. A story every child should be exposed to.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  5. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    milograamans
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    Flag as inappropriate

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