The Golden Compass Review

Pullman's The Golden Compass envelops the reader in the tale of Lyra, a young girl on the cusp of adulthood.  The first in a trilogy titled His Dark Materials, The Golden Compass embarks on a long journey which follows Lyra through much of her own world.  On a mission to save a friend, the brave Lyra, whose losses are only beginning, finds true strength in the form of friendships forged for a lifetime.

A must read, this novel gets the reader emotionally involved with all characters and with their missions. Despite, what others may have said, the novels "anti-religious" statements are not as prominent as one may think.  The main idea with the trilogy is of Lyra's slow but sure growth into an adult.  The statements are not about religion as a whole but about the extremists who do harm in name of their religion.

Pullman advocates free choice; this is a constant struggle in the book as at the same time that Lyra has a destiny to unfold, she also has to help decide the fate of all mankind's free choice. 

 For those who feel there should be a need to ban the books, you are simply proving Pullman's point in the ways some religious people feel the need to inhibit others decisions.  If you are afraid of the message the book will send to your child, don't unless you don't want your child thinking for themselves.  If you are afraid of anti religious statements, then after letting your child read this wonderful book, discuss with them their thoughts and beliefs on the situation.  Nothing proves a better lesson than everyday discourse.