The Golden Compass -

On her trek to the frozen North, Lyra gathers a band of unique allies:

The story of The Golden Compass (also known as Northern Lights ) follows , a spirited and deceptive young girl living in a parallel Oxford where human souls exist outside the body as animal companions called dæmons . The Call to Adventure The Golden Compass

Lyra reaches the research station at , where she discovers the horrific truth: the Gobblers are performing "intercision," a process that surgically severs children from their dæmons to prevent them from being "tainted" by Dust. Lyra leads a daring escape, freeing Roger and the other children. The Climax and Betrayal On her trek to the frozen North, Lyra

: A Texan aeronaut who provides transport in his hot-air balloon. The Climax and Betrayal : A Texan aeronaut

Before Lyra is taken into the care of the glamorous but cold , the Master of Jordan College gives her an alethiometer —a golden, truth-telling compass that only she can learn to read. After discovering that Mrs. Coulter leads the Gobblers, Lyra escapes and joins forces with the Gyptians , a group of water-travelers whose children have also been stolen.