The Dark Is Rising

Will Stanton's eleventh birthday brings surprises. He learns he's not a normal human, but the last of the Old Ones, an ancient race of the Light that fights to keep the world out of the clutches of the Dark. Now the Dark is rising, and it's Will's job as Sign Seeker to find, protect, and join the six elemental signs that will keep the Dark at bay.

I love rereading this book in December. Starting with Midwinter's Day and ending New Year's Eve, The Dark Is Rising perfectly captures the magic of the year's darkest and merriest days.

Arguably, Over Sea, Under Stone is the first book in The Dark Is Rising sequence. It's a great book, too, but The Dark Is Rising is where I like to start. Reading level is about grade 4 and up.