[Mezzaluna]

I agree with you, Shroom. Just because the first and second books are okay for younger readers/viewers doesn't mean the later ones are. Parents must always take into consideration their child's emotional development and maturity into account when choosing material. Ratings help, but now that it's easy to see trailers and rather detailed information online before buying a ticket or a book, it gets much easier to make those decisions.

I was horrified to see the young children brought to see Jurassic Park (the original movie). Just because it was about dinosaurs, parents assumed it was for children. It was NOT- quite violent and gruesome, in fact- and the result was that I saw a good number of parents with preschoolers and children up to about age 8 walking in the lobby because their children were too upset to watch any more of the movie.

As for The Golden Compass- I can't wait! I heard Philip Pullman speak when he came to Milwaukee. He hadn't yet published the second book (The Subtle Knife) but the room was crammed with the same audience as one would expect for Harry Potter. The last book in this series (The Amber Spyglass) is also too mature for younger children as it takes a much more obvious tack into theological explorations, the nature of sin, etc. in ways that aren't necessarily appropriate for children under age 12.

Still, the movie (with Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman and Dakota Blue Richards) should be worth the wait!