This book is filled with alusions to New Age, Wikin, and is an affront (or should be) to Christians.
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The Dark Is Rising
(1973, Fiction - Fantasy, Written by Susan Cooper)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Classic fantasy is a bit slow, but enthralling.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 9 and Up
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About The Dark Is Rising
Parents need to know that the author's powerful narrative vision will draw young readers into this exciting tale. There is some fantasy violence and a young man turns against his benefactor and follows the forces of the Dark. This is the second book in a five-book series and actually the best one to start with.
Read our full review by Tara L. Rivera
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about great fantasies. What are your favorite fantasy reads and why? Do they have characteristics in common? Why is the struggle of good vs. evil such a common theme?
Our Members Say
See all 15 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title off for age 9 and give itMy concerns are:
Wake up people! It glorifies occultic practices.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Great book, rubbish movie. This one is the best of the series, a must read for young kids who are fans of fantasy and adventure.
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
On his eleventh birthday, a young boy discovers that he belongs to an ancient group of powerful beings. He is instructed in magical arts, and gets caught up in the struggle between forces of good and evil. Sound familiar? The pros of this book and series. The Dark is Rising sequence is wonderfully well-written. Some of the younger readers have complained about the story being difficult to understand, but older readers will enjoy the complex and well-planned story. Will is a positive character who loves his family, accepts responsibility, and learns from his mistakes. The cons: the story is infused with British paganism. Though it's interesting to read a fantasy based on the English mytho-historical traditions, the series presents these myths and practices as valid beliefs that just fell out of vogue. Though the series isn't blatantly anti-Christian, occultism is sometimes mentioned positively, and there is a pervasive sense that the ancient beliefs are somehow superior to the Christian faith, and servants of the Dark often hide behind a religious guise.
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
confusing and hard to follow
It is a shame that some schools require this book to be read, it is hand down the worst book I've ever read. It is hard to follow confusing and boring, I can't read this book for more than an hour without falling asleep, crying,or sometimes both. Bottom line- Don't read it ever.
- I rate this title off for age 2 and give it
Respond to so what ( A MUST READ!!!!!!!!! )
so what this is not a must read book the only thing good about it is that a movie came out about it. This book is a waste of time and i'm surprised that you liked it. This book had a terrible plot, it was hard to understand, and the chapters were confusing. This book is not a must read book and I do not recommend it for anybody unless you have to read it.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 50% | of parents don't think the messages are positive |
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