The Amber Spyglass became the first children's book to win the Whitbread Book of the Year award in 2001, a landmark moment in the recognition of children's fiction as serious literary work. Critical reception was divided between those who considered it a triumphant conclusion to one of the great fantasy works of the twentieth century and those who found its philosophical ambition occasionally overwhelming its narrative momentum. Religious objections intensified considerably, with some commentators - most notably Peter Hitchens - describing the trilogy as a deliberate inversion of C.S. Lewis's Narnia series. The novel's treatment of the Church, consciousness, and death generated significant public debate that extended well beyond literary circles.

Locus Award

Fantasy novel category, 3rd place

World Fantasy Award

Novel category

Whitbread Childrens

The Amber Spyglass became the first children's book to win the overall Whitbread Book of the Year award, previously restricted in practice to adult fiction. The win was considered a landmark moment in the recognition of children's and young adult fiction as serious literary work, and brought Pullman's trilogy to a significantly wider adult readership.