The Book Review of The Golden Compass

 Review By Luz Wittrock

Book By Philip Pullman

      "It is the Alethiometer. It tells the truth. As for how to read it, you'll have to learn by yourself."

     Lyra knows how to read the Alethiometer. This makes her very special because, not many people can read it. When you ask it a question it's three hands spin around. They point at images and symbols. When put together they create a meaning, a sentence, the truth. There are only 6 Alethiometers that exist in Lyra's world. So few people know they exist, others think they are myths. Everyone knows what they can do, how valuable it is, and how powerful it can be.

     Lyra lives in a parallel world and her life hasn't been easy but, it also hasn't been hard. She never got to know her mother or father. She only met them as a baby. She was sent to Jordan College to live among the scholars. She grew up running the halls with her daemon, Pantalaimon.  She explored many places she shouldn't have and there are still many places she hasn't seen yet. Lyra is 10 years old, she loves to cause trouble with the staff. Especially with her friend Roger. He is a kitchen boy at Jordan but, doesn't like it. He also likes to explore. Everyday the duo meets up. They run around, investigate the tunnels, and mess with the staff. While running around Jordan College they hear rumors about the Gobblers. The Gobblers is a made up name for a group of people kidnapping children. Where they first struck people know they are real. Far away at Jordan collage it is a myth. Lyra and Roger get with other kids to play Children and Gobblers. Leave it to the children to make a fun game out of something real and scary. Then the unthinkable happens. The Gobblers strike. Lyra hears rumors about where the children are being taken by the Gobblers. She hears that they are heading North. Lyra already wanted to go north to explore and see the magic brewing up there. Now hearing about all this kids getting taken up there makes her want to go even more.She can't let something happen to them. Even though it could be a myth she stills wants to go.

      One day she gets to leave Jordan College and get a new home. This woman seems very nice and she wants to care for Lyra. She is actually mean, she tries to make Lyra love her. She tries to force her to like her. Lyra runs away. She goes to who she knows can help. With trouble along the way. Will Lyra make it North? Will she find the missing children? Will she figure out what is going on? 

     The Golden Compass is a very compelling book that makes you think about things in different ways. I would give this book a 10/10. It is very interesting but, sometimes the writing can get confusing. I would recommend this book to seventh graders because it makes you have strong emotions and think, " What would I do if I were in this situation? How would I feel?" This book is good if you if you are mature enough and have a complex enough brain to understand the text. This magical book leaves you on the edge, wanting to read more to figure out what happens next. The next time you need a book to read, chose this one. It is a wonderful book that you will cherish forever.

                                                                       “So Lyra and her daemon turned away from the world they were born in, and looked toward the sun, and walked into the sky.”

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