 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Golden Compass: His Dark Materials, Book 1
- By Philip Pullman
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
A violent fantasy, with elements of mystery.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this fantasy book contains some vivid descriptions of battle scenes. There are also some tense escapes from evildoers, two of whom are the heroine's parents, and two kids are killed. One of Lyra's virtues is her ability to lie convincingly, but she prizes friendship and loyalty: Indeed, readers will root for this scrappy street fighter as she uses all her wits to outfox the villains, and discovers mystical talents that she never knew she had. The British dialogue and clever twists on common words may confuse some Americans, but the fantasy will make readers' imaginations soar. Good choice for fantasy lovers who've outgrown the kid stuff -- and enough adventure for reluctant readers (especially if you start by reading aloud).
What's the story?
Enter a parallel world, dark and cold, with daemons, boat-dwelling gypsies, armored bears, and a street child with a strange destiny. Children, even Lyra's best friend Roger, start disappearing, victims of mysterious kidnappers called Gobblers. Lyra is given a magical instrument that tells the future and is sent off with the glamorous Mrs. Coulter. When she learns that Mrs. Coulter runs the Gobblers, she escapes, touching off a race to save the kidnapped children. With the help of the Gyptians, a boat-dwelling people, and Iorek Byrnison, a talking, warrior polar bear, she travels to the Arctic, where she finds that the children are being subjected to ghastly experiments that separate them from their souls. Meanwhile Iorek battles for control of the warrior bears, and Lyra's uncle, Lord Asriel, prepares to blast a hole between worlds.
Is it any good?
Nail-biting suspense grabs readers until they can't shake themselves loose from this strange world -- familiar, but definitely not the Earth we know. The magical quality of Lyra's world sets readers' imaginations soaring. This place is so convincingly portrayed that the experiments performed on the children seem as gruesome to the reader as to Lyra. Readers soon accept her world, and they especially love this smart, rowdy heroine. Forget about sweet, honest girls -- this scrappy street fighter uses all her wits to outfox the villains, and discovers mystical talents that she never knew she had.
For avid readers, fantasy buffs, and kids who are outgrowing children's fantasies, this is a great treasure. As this feisty little heroine battles the Gobblers, and follows a mystical device to a universe-altering confrontation in the Arctic, your tweens and teens will be gripping this book with white knuckles long past lights-out. Even reluctant readers may get hooked if you begin by reading it aloud. Since it ends in a true cliff-hanger, the next stop is The Subtle Knife.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the violence here. Some pretty tough stuff happens in this book -- like kids are experimented on and killed. Is it overwhelming, or does the fantasy setting make it easier to handle?
This book has now been made into a movie. Families who watch it may want to contrast the film with the book. Which do you prefer? What would you have done differently if you were the director?
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AGE
these reveiws are awful!
This is absolutly rediculous!!!
these people who say this book is anti-cristian are idiots...
for one this book is fantasy why one earth would one person take this book as an attack to their religion...its FANTASY if you are affended by this book your not very bright.
secondly there is NO SEX in this series unless you consider kissing sex...i can not belive what kind of idiots reviewed this book.
i hope that this site dose not prevent you from reading this wonderful book.
"I will not read this book now or ever. Phillip Pullman (the author) is an atheist and hates God. He wrote this book to make kids hate God too. I will NEVER EVER read it nor see the movie. "
you haven't read the book yet you idiot!
i dont understandd the predujuce you people have...i supposed you wont read any books that are written by jews or dowists or hindus because "they'll try to convert your kids and form an evil anti-christain cult" ....ridiculus
please do not prevent this site from enjoying this wonderful book
p.s. im christian
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Kid, 12 years old
September 15, 2009
AGE
better for 5 year olds
i hate beacause to much inappriote stuff
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AGE
Not without controversy but worth the read
I would not reccommend this book unless you are prepared to have frank religious discussions with your child. The series is written as a retort to the Catholicism of C.S. Lewis's Narnia series. However, most of the issues would not be obvious to your typical reader. As a straight-up drama and thriller it is without equal. The plot moves along quickly and keeps us engaged. There are also moments of poignant drama. This book is probably more enjoyable for some adults than it is for some kids.
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AGE
This book touched me deeply.
Even though I am older than 17, I really loved this series. At one point, I got so emotional over a section of the book that I began to cry and had to shut it for a breather. Many people claim that the book is anti-Christian, but personally I do not feel that is the case at all. It is intended to make children consider the ramifications of following anything blindly, whether it is a religion or a government.
I would like to remind others that just because the author is atheist does not mean he hates Christianity. Atheism is simply not believing that there is a god. Also, the "god" killed in the series is not really a god, but rather a being falsely impersonating a god. That single point is critical to understand. I find it appalling that the majority of the people decrying the book have not even read it.
If you have qualms over the book, read it before you give it to a child. The story is just as captivating for adults as it is for children.
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AGE
attack of the church
okay, you are very naive if you believe and Pullman is not attacking the church. However, please realize he is attacking catholicism before any kind of refermation. So, this book is factual about how the Pope tried to control thier world during medival times. Even if you are catholic and your are educated you will know that the Crusaders were one of the most evil armies that ever lived. My point is that Pullman is attacking the church but he has every right to because it's a factual argument. If you are not catholic then this book is of no insult at all. Lastly, keep in mind he is not attacking religion, he is attcking the institution of the church. This book is very interesting, however the true meaning might be over a lot of children's heads.
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Kid, 12 years old
January 9, 2010
AGE
Great!
This is a great book! I don't know anyone who wouldn't like this. The only innapropriate parts aren't used for people. When the book says, "humped", it means the colors of the sunsets were mixing. I don't see how anyone sees that innapropriate.
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AGE
Request of Reviewing
How can I request a redue of a review? It seems like the reviewer seemed to space out near the end of the book. It's a great series (go science-fantasy), but there's some stuff that was left out of the review. For example, the theme of His Dark Materials is conversial, since it sort of use religious metaphors in risky ways (remember the protesting of the movie) Also, near the end a character mentions castation (oof).
I like the book, but we need a reviewer who had double read the book and looked at other reviews.
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AGE
Good Writer's a genious
Why would anyone ever say this is bad? You have to really already think it is bad and nitpick it honing in on something and warping it to fit how you see the book. Please if you have something to say, say it calmly. Don't just say one word or use all capitol letters. It's rather childish.I am christian if you must know.
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AGE
Bravo!
A great read, with plenty of action and violence to keep readers interested. I enjoyed this book much more than the Amber Spyglass or the Subtle Knife, because it contained less atheism and gore and kept me entertained. Recommended highly!
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AGE
Great book
This is a good book for children who enjoy fantasy like Harry Potter. I did not find an anti-religious tone to the book -- it is a fantasy after all. I would say that any religious overtones are similar to those in the CS Lewis series of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. You have to have a good sense of the history of religion to pick it up. The whole series is extremely entertaining and well written, and it hangs together well in that it is consistent. The girl is a great role model for pre-teen girls -- she is strong, self-confident and self-reliant.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Author: | Philip Pullman |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | Del Rey |
| Publication date: | October 5, 1998 |
| Number of pages: | 368 |
| Paperback price: | $6.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 9 |
| Read alone: | 11 |
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