HP readalikes - for the young and young at heart (long)

[kempermentor]

> Petra suggested a reading list that included:
> 
> > Philip Pullman.
> > His Dark Materials
> >    1. The Golden Compass
> >    2. The Subtle Knife
> >    3. The Amber Spyglass
> 
> Goddlefrood:
> 
> A superb series for readers of almost all ages, although the 
> starting age may be a few years higher than the HP books. Teenage 
> and above would be my suggestion. An excellent read with a villain
> that came in second only to LV in one poll of readers, and which
> JKR felt highly complimented about :)


Kemper now:
I, too, think the series is best for older readers... mostly because 
it challenges the institution of religion, yet it is still a very 
spiritual.  This isn't to say that some young wouldn't enjoy it, but 
I think they would appreciate it more when they are well into 
abstract thinking.

The main character, Lyra, is strong girl in the first book, but then 
she meets a boy in the second book.  She seems to bow to his will.  
(The boy's name is Will.)  Maybe 'bow' is too strong a word, but 
whatever the word is, it is still evident that Will is the dominant 
one in their friendship.

That said... I'm really looking forward to the movie coming out this 
winter.  It has Nicole Kidman playing the villian, Ms Colter.  
Personally, I think she's got Voldie beat for top spot.  Where he is 
passionately evil, she is cold and calculating.  

Reading her frightened me more that reading Voldie.  And her monkey 
is way scarier than Nigani.

Kemper