Families who loved The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is on the cusp of adolescence and beginning to grapple with the heavy realization that growing up often means carrying responsibilities they didn't ask for. It is perfect for the child who feels like an outsider or who is sensitive to the deeper, unseen rhythms of the world. Set during a cold, snowy English winter, the story follows eleven year old Will Stanton as he discovers he is the last of the Old Ones, immortals dedicated to protecting the world from the encroaching Dark. While it is a high fantasy quest, the heart of the book is about the loneliness of being chosen and the courage required to stand alone against overwhelming pressure. It is a sophisticated read that respects a child's intelligence and emotional complexity.