The Golden Compass



Pullman, Philip. 1995. The Golden Compass. New York, NY:Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN: 978-0-440-41860-3 (e-book). E-book $7.99 Age 13+

Lyra Belacqua is a carefree girl living among the scholars of Oxford’s Jordan College. A sudden visit from her uncle Lord Asriel brings with it talk of danger in the North that seems to have something to do with a photograph of a suspended city in the Arora Borealis and a strange phenomenon known as Dust. Soon, strange and terrifying things begin to happen as children and their daemons (the external, physical manifestation of a person’s inner-self that takes the form of an animal) start to disappear. When Lyra’s friend disappears, Lyra is determined to find him. She agrees to apprentice for an enchanting, mysterious young woman named Mrs. Coulter in the hopes that she will help her find her friend. Soon, however, Lyra is thrown into a world far darker and more dangerous than she could ever have imagined. Armed only with her daemon and a strange device that she must learn how to read, Lyra must discover the truth. Can she learn how to read this strange Golden Compass in time?

This is a lovely, enthralling read. It will certainly suck the reader in and hold their interest. There is a great amount of mystery and intrigue, and just enough darkness to really capture older reader's attentions

Videos

This is a fan-made booktrailer that uses scenes from the movie to describe parts of the book

Awards Won

Carnegie Medal- 1996

Guardian Children's Fiction Prize-1996

70th Anniversary Carnegie of Carnegies-2007

Resources

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