Module 15: The Golden Compass

 

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman 

 

Summary: In this alternate world, every human is basically attached at the soul by their own daemons, who help to protect them, and who also happen to be shape-shifters.  Twelve-year-old orphan Lyra, and her daemon Pantalaiman are somewhat mischievous, and after their good friend Thomas disappears one day, Lyra is determined to uncover the mysterious plot that is the cause of so many missing children.  Lyra is sent to live with Mrs. Coulter, where she soon uncovers a sinister plot.  She flees, and races to find her dad, and to restore to him an alitheometer which she has found she can use to predict the future and read the past.  Lyra is eventually captured by "the gobblers" and finds herself imprisoned with her friend Thomas and many other children who are in danger of being separated from their daemons, an act which can literally kill them.  The book ends tragically, with an obvious look toward the next book in the trilogy.  

APA Reference: Pullman, P. (1995). The golden compass. New York, NY: Random House Children's Books

Impressions: This is a fairly fast paced book with intriguing characters, particularly Lyra, who is feisty and determinedly bold.  This can be seen from the beginning of the book when Lyra is hiding in a closet with Pantalaiman, trying to eavesdrop on one of the scholars of Jordan College where she lives.  The idea that humans are attached to a daemon at the sole is also intriguing, and the book reads like a action filled mystery as Lyra tries to figure out the meaning of dust, and why anyone would want to separate a daemon from a child.  While there has been some controversy about this book and it's somewhat anti-religious message, it is doubtful that most children would pick up on the message since it is somewhat symbolic, with many mysteries to still be solved in the following two books in the trilogy.

Professional Review:
Books for Youth, Older Readers: /*Starred Review*/ Gr. 7-12. In the first of a planned trilogy, Pullman has created a wholly developed universe, which is, as he states, much like our own but different in many ways--a world in which humans are paired with animal "daemons" that seem like alter egos, only with personalities of their own. The story begins at Jordan College in Oxford, where young Lyra Belacqua and her daemon, Pantalaimon, are being reared and educated by the Scholars. Although a lackluster student, Lyra possesses an inordinate curiosity and sense of adventure, which lead her into forbidden territory on the night her uncle, Lord Asriel, visits. He's there to solicit funds for a return journey to the distant arctic wastes, where he has observed and photographed strange goings-on, including a mysterious phenomenon called Dust that streams from the sky and a dim outline of a city suspended in the Aurora, or Northern Lights, that he suspects is part of an alternate universe. After he leaves, Lyra finds herself placed in the charge of the mysterious Mrs. Coulter and in possession of a rare compasslike device that can answer questions if she learns how to read it. Already shocked by the disappearance of her best friend, Lyra discovers Mrs. Coulter's connection with the dreaded children-stealing Gobblers and runs away, joining a group of gyptians bound for the North to rescue missing children. Lyra has also learned that her uncle is being held prisoner in the North, guarded by formidable armored bears. Filled with fast-paced action, the plot involves a secret scientific facility, where children are being severed from their daemons; warring factions; witch clans; an outcast armored bear, who bonds with Lyra; and more. It becomes evident that the future of the world and its inhabitants is in the hands of the ever-more-resilient and dedicated Lyra. A totally involving, intricately plotted fantasy that will leave readers clamoring for the sequels. 

 Estes, S. (1996, March 01). [Review of the book The golden compass, by P. Pullman]. Booklist, 97(16), 1956. Retrieved form http://www.booklistonline.com/

Library Uses:  Introduce this book on a display at a teen night where you show the movie.  Also, this would be a good book to introduce in a book talk introducing books which were made into movies.