"That's the duty of the old, to be anxious on behalf of the young"

I am currently reading the first book in the His Dark Materials series by Phillip Pullman, “Northern Lights”. I’m trying to read more, because not reading makes me feel a little like a moron. Even if I am not expanding g my mind with deep and engaging philosophy, I think the process is a worthy time sink.

His Dark Materials bears resemblances to Harry Potter in that the series is centered around an 11 year old English girl raised by people other than her parents (who supposedly died in an accident, but not really, gasp) who is not yet aware of just how important she really is (I have to say though, she worlds more clever than Harry, who, as much as we may love him, was never the brightest crayon in the box of 96). And, also like the Potter series, the fact that the main character is a child in no way detracts from the real and serious themes that are addressed throughout the series. It is riddled with human darkness, but there are also themes of redemption and hope. I am really quite engaged by it.