The Golden Compass
						Pullman, Philip. 1995. THE GOLDEN COMPASS. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
					“‘Lyra has a part to play in all this, and a major one. The irony is that she must do it all without realizing what she’s doing’” (page 31).
	The first book in The Dark Materials series THE GOLDEN COMPASS introduces readers to the young protagonist Lyra Belacqua and her daemon Pantalaimon. Right after Lyra overhears her uncle, Lord Asriel, telling the scholars of Jordan College about “Dust,” children begin to disappear, including Lyra’s best friend Roger. Determined to find him, she joins the gypsies on their quest to return the children. What follows is an action-packed adventure including armored bears, witches, and Gobblers that takes Lyra to the North and introduces her to the “Dust” phenomenon.      The novel, which takes place in a different universe, is divided into three parts, each named after the setting of that part. Oxford, which is where Lyra lives, is where the story begins. Until the adventure, the orphan Lyra had been living at Jordan College among the scholars. However, to rescue her friend she must head North to Bolvangar which is the second part of the story. Much of the action in the book takes place here, though it carries over into the third part Svalbard. The setting in THE GOLDEN COMPASS is important to the storyline because “Dust” only exists in the North and the “Dust” theme underlies every other plot in the book.      Told in third person, the story primarily focuses on Lyra, though at times readers are privy to scenes that the protagonist is not. Her spunk and wildness that gets her through the journey is evident in the tales of her childhood…like fighting with the neighboring colleges, trying to sink a gypsy boat, and getting drunk just to see what it is like. “In many ways Lyra was a barbarian” (page 34). However, the devoutness she displays for her friends and the bravery she endures to help everyone make Lyra an endearing character.      In this fast-paced novel, Philip Pullman creates a perfect blend of fantasy and adventure. Because of the continual action, the story moves along quickly. Occasionally, the talk about “Dust” is a bit confusing and the experiments that are being performed are difficult to grasp, but not understanding does not hinder the story. From the first page where Lyra sneaks into the forbidden Retiring Room, Pullman packs THE GOLDEN COMPASS with action, adventure, and intrigue.      “As always, Pullman is a master at combining impeccable characterizations and seamless plotting, maintaining a crackling pace to create scene upon scene of almost unbearable tension.  This glittering gem will leave readers of all ages eagerly awaiting the next installment of Lyra's adventures” (Publishers Weekly review). Publishers Weekly, starred review. Available at http://www.amazon.com                                               YA Literature Home Page