Okay, I know that a few of you will treat me like toast. However, it is important to know what our young people are reading, as The Dark is Rising: The Complete Sequence, is written for young adults, 12 years and older.
Susan Cooper, the author of this theological fantasy series, originally wrote this series between 1965 to 1977, but has recently renewed the copyright. Upon reading her work, one can see that Susan Cooper's writing style has been heavily influenced by C. S. Lewis, Tolkien, and the Inklings. In fact, the setting of these books occurs largely in the British Isles.
When I first read this series in 2009, I had just obtained my M.A. and had also completed an intensive summer graduate course in Elementary Education: ESL Reading. We had just been evacuated due to the Station Fire in the foothills, so there was little to do but to sit still and read as any kind of exertion with the swirling ash, heat, and smoke was not encouraged. The reviews I had read about Susan Cooper's works were correct. The Dark is Rising held me spell-bound from beginning to end.
However, my second reading this summer, was more of a critical reading. Some folks at OC.net were discussing the Harry Potter Series and the genre of Fantasy and Theological Fantasy, which included the works of C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, James Blish, and Susan Cooper.
Rather than expound on the plot and ruin the story for those who haven't read The Dark is Rising, I would like to discuss some theological implications, and why this series would be appropriate for children as long as they are given guidance along the way.