Parents need to know that this fantasy book contains some vivid descriptions of battle scenes. There are also some tense escapes from evildoers, two of whom are the heroine's parents, and two kids are killed. One of Lyra's virtues is her ability to lie convincingly, but she prizes friendship and loyalty: indeed, readers will root for this scrappy street fighter as she uses all her wits to outfox the villains and discovers mystical talents that she never knew she had. The British dialogue and clever twists on common words may confuse some Americans, but the fantasy will make readers' imaginations soar. Good choice for fantasy-lovers who've outgrown the kid stuff — and enough adventure for reluctant readers (especially if you start by reading aloud). Read by the author in the audiobook version.
