The first in Phillip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” trilogy, The Golden Compass is a fascinating fantasy novel. Yes I can see hints of atheistic beliefs (science over religion, etc.), but I can’t see any clear demand/request in the writing. I suppose children shouldn’t absorb it with open minds and be allowed to believe whatever they want afterwards, but I can’t see anything overly bad in it. And it’s a really fun story! A fantastical world (rooted in London*) where humans are forever joined by a small animal daemon that is there constant companion. Where bears are intelligent (and have opposable thumbs) and can manipulate metal and rule their ice kingdoms with honor and tradition. Where witches fly and shoot bows and arrows (cuz you know, they’re not magical or anything…). I recommend checking out the book and I’ll let you know how much the movie adaptation sucks as soon as I see it. 😉
* Why do all the really great fantasy stories take place in London? because they’re more connected to the old world and the faerie people and what not? Just once I’d like to see an American fantasy novel that takes place in American locations….*sigh*
Try Piers Anthony’s “A Spell for Chamelon.”
I think you’ll find that it is rooted in Oxford
“So You Want To Be A Wizard?” is a really good series (YA fiction) if you ever want to check it out. Set in America, really great premise… just a really good series, period. Plus, I like the writing style a HELL of a lot better than I liked Pullman’s. In fact, I think I’d prefer a preschooler’s writing style to Pullman’s. But that’s just me.