About this item
Continuing the story begun in OVER SEA, UNDER STONE, THE DARK IS RISING is the second book in Susan Cooper's popular fantasy quintet. Here readers meet Will Stanton, the seventh son of a seventh son, who, on his 11th birthday, discovers that he is an Old One, a group of immortals charged with saving the world from the evil forces known as the Dark. Under the guidance of Merriman Lyon, Will prepares for his part in the battle by searching for, and bringing together, the Six Signs of the Light--magical elements needed by the Old Ones to defeat the Dark. A classic story of the battle between good and evil, THE DARK IS RISING reflects the influence of both Celtic mythology and the Arthurian legend. It was named a 1974 Newbery Honor Book. The rest of the books in the series are GREENWITCH, THE GREY KING (winner of the 1976 Newbery Medal) , and SILVER ON THE TREE.
About the Author
Susan Cooper is best known for her acclaimed five-book fantasy sequence "The Dark is Rising," which won a Newbery Medal, a Newbery Honor Award, and two Carnegie Honor Awards. Her newest books are 2 picturebooks: "The Shortest Day" (her classic solstice poem, illustrated by Carson Ellis) , and "The Word Pirates," illustrated by Steven Kellogg. Born in England in 1935, Ms Cooper became a reporter and feature writer for the London Sunday Times--her first boss was James Bond creator Ian Fleming--before moving to the United States in 1963. Her first novels were "Mandrake" and the autobiographical "Dawn of Fear," followed by the complete Dark is Rising sequence (Over Sea, Under Stone; The Dark is Rising; Greenwitch; The Grey King; Silver on the Tree) . The sequence, deeply rooted in the rich heritage of Arthurian legend and Celtic mythology, is a classic work of children's literature, still in print after 40 years. Cooper went on to write other well-received children's novels, including "Seaward," "The Boggart" trilogy, "Green Boy," "King of Shadows," "Victory," and "Ghost Hawk" as well as several picture books for young readers with illustrators such as Ashley Bryan and Warwick Hutton. She has also written books for adults, as well as plays and Emmy-nominated screenplays (some in collaboration with her second husband, the actor Hume Cronyn) . Recent non-fiction includes her biography of Revels founder Jack Langstaff titled "The Magic Maker." Ms. Cooper lives in Marshfield MA. Visit her on Facebook or on her website at www.thelostland.com.
