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The Dark is Rising (The Dark is Rising Sequence)
Susan Cooper
The Dark is Rising (The Dark is Rising Sequence)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Susan Cooper
Dark Is Rising
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
A young boy discovers he is part of an ancient struggle between light and darkness, tasked with finding magical signs to prevent evil from taking over the world. As he uncovers hidden powers within himself, he must face mysterious forces and unravel secrets that will change his life forever. Adventure and magic collide in a thrilling quest to save the future.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 6-7 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril, fantasy violence. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated The Dark is Rising (The Dark is Rising Sequence) 11LP
The Dark is Rising (The Dark is Rising Sequence) is written at a Level 6-7 reading level across 232 pages (approximately 82,143 words). Strong independent readers around grade 7.2 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Dark is Rising (The Dark is Rising Sequence) works for readers up to grade 8.2.
Read aloud, The Dark is Rising (The Dark is Rising Sequence) runs about 9.1 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate The Dark is Rising (The Dark is Rising Sequence) as 11LP ("Light — Physical") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence.
Thematically, The Dark is Rising (The Dark is Rising Sequence) explores fantasy world-building, adventure, coming of age, and magic — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy world-building, adventure, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
4/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0689829833
- Pages
- 232
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- October 1, 1999
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 82,143
- Read-Aloud
- ~9h 8m
- Text Density
- Very Dense