The Golden Compass: His Dark Materials

Lyra Belaqua is content to run wild among the scholars of Jordan College, with her daemon familiar Pantalaimon always by her side. But the arrival of her fearsome uncle, Lord Asriel, draws her to the heart of a terrible strugglea struggle born of Gobblers and stolen children, witch clans and armored bears. And as she hurtles toward danger in the cold, far North, young Lyra never suspects the shocking truth: She alone is destined to win, or to lose, this more-than-mortal battle.

Philip Pullman is a renowned author and storyteller both here and abroad. His books for young readers include the Sally Lockhart trilogy, <i>Spring-Heeled Jack</i>, <i>I Was a Rat!</i>, and <i>Puss in Boots</i>.