The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper

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Recommended by Jo Capon (@jocareadsbooks)

Form and genre: Prose – fantasy

Length: 272 pages

Summary:

Coming of age story which juxtaposes a cosy, wintry Christmassy world with a menacing shadowland. Will discovers that he is one of the ‘Old Ones’, a tribe of people whose purpose is to prevent the Dark gaining power.

Drawing powerfully on Arthurian legend and Norse myth, this book is magical and absorbing.

Age recommendation and challenging content: Year 7/8

Notable reasons for recommending this book: Well structured, with links to ancient myths. Has achieved modern classic .