The Dark is Rising features John Wayland Smith, Herne the Hunter and Wild Hunt as well as the etymology of road names long forgotten. Having read both recently, I can really see this as both novels concern themselves with British Mythology. Susan Cooper was heavily influenced by the work of another #12 Books of Christmas The Box of Delights. Meanwhile the Dark is rising and they will stop at nothing to thwart him. With Merriman as his guide, he must search for these mystical talismans over the Christmas period, whilst still remaining a boy, the youngest in his family as he travels through time. On his 11th birthday, Will discovers he is the last of the Old Ones of the light and is tasked with finding 6 signs to be used in the fight against the dark. Also, the film of the book, The Seeker, is very different to the novel and I would be tempted to give the film a miss. Over Sea, Under Stone features a different set of children. The first book is Over Sea, Under Stone, but you are absolutely fine to read The Dark is Rising as a stand alone novel. The Dark is Rising is the 2nd book in The Dark is Rising sequence and is perfect for 8-11 year olds. This novel features in my Top 10 favourite novels and I think it is largely down to memory as to why.

We also read 'The Dark is Rising' by Susan Cooper together, which is set at Christmas and I always read this over the Christmas period.

For me this was brilliant, especially as I was already giddy with the arrival of Santa. Best of all because my Grandparents were visiting, I had to share a bedroom with my sister. One Christmas, my Grandparents stayed with us and I remember being allowed to stay up a whole hour later on Christmas Eve because Flash Gordon was on the TV. It all forms part of our personal Christmas tapestry.

Memories of funny events, Christmas decorations made lovingly in Primary School and placed on the tree, games, movies, the 'Big' Christmas film, visits from relatives, Christmas walks. There is so much about Christmas that is about memory.

Missed any? I've listed them for you below.ĭay 1 - Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrandĭay 2 - The Box of Delights by John Masefieldĭay 3 - The Christmas Lights by Karen Swanĭay 4 - Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christieĭay 5 - The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slaterĭay 6 - Skipping Christmas by John Grishamĭay 7 - A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan Welcome to Day 9 of #12 Books of Christmas

The dark is rising books