About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is beginning to question the institutions around them and is looking for a model of quiet, steadfast courage in the face of systemic injustice. While it is a high-fantasy adventure, it serves as a powerful mirror for young people navigating a world where the adults in charge may not always have their best interests at heart. It is a story about the transition from childhood innocence to the heavy, but noble, responsibility of protecting those more vulnerable than ourselves. Malcolm Polstead is an ordinary boy who becomes an extraordinary protector when a catastrophic flood hits Oxford, forcing him to rescue a baby named Lyra from those who wish her harm. The book explores deep emotional themes of resilience, the moral weight of secrets, and the bravery required to stand against religious and political extremism. Parents should be aware that while the protagonist is young, the themes and some scenes of violence are sophisticated and intense, making it most suitable for mature middle schoolers and high school students who enjoy complex world-building.
