These books should be banned for children but not because of the extreme anti-Church viewpoints, the denial of God's existence, or the obvious sexual "hinting" that occurs, but because of the sheer emotional brutality of them. Between Lyra leaving Pan on the shores of the Underworld and Will losing his father just after he meets him to Will and Lyra having to leave each other just as they fall in love.

The Golden Compass was a solid, interesting book with plenty of action and fantasy involved. But the most compelling thing about the Golden Compass was Lyra, a strong female lead. So when a strong male lead is introduced in the Subtle Knife, you would expect the story to improve further. But, alas, Will's introduction turns Lyra into a whiny, annoying, stupid girl. Suddenly you remember that she is 12 and Will (though also 12) seems as if he is 18 and babysitting the annoying girl. The Amber Spyglass devolves even further as Pullman goes on an insane anti-Christianity rant. I'm sure all this stuff probably goes over the heads of children who are young enough to be influenced by it and is understood by those who are firm enough in their own beliefs to either agree with the book or to disagree with it. In fact, I read this book as a child and had to reread it as an adult just to remember what happened, indicative of what a weak story this is.