School Library Journal

The first book of Pullman’s acclaimed “His Dark Materials” series, The Golden Compass, appears in a well-told and well-drawn graphic format in this volume, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the book’s publication. The graphic novel adaptation divides the first book into three volumes, with this first volume following Lyra up until the time that she sails for the North with the gyptians. With Lyra, readers will overhear plots in Jordan College; suffer the loss of her friend, Roger; and receive the mysterious alethiometer. They will escape from Mrs. Coulter and join the gyptians in their camp in the fens, all the while hoping to reunite with her uncle, Lord Asriel, who has gone to the North. The artists’ interpretation of the work pairs well with the story. The somewhat muted color scheme reinforces the Dickensian feel of the novels. The characters and their backdrops are drawn in a style reminiscent of a child’s hand, albeit with a sophistication and level of detail not expected of a child. VERDICT Whether this is a reader’s first experience with the tale or they are already familiar with the story, they should be delighted by this rendition.—Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI