Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
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 older middle graders (ages 11+), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material. Its HootRating code, LP, means mild content, mostly physical.
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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 11+.
Why we rated The Dark is Rising (The Dark is Rising Sequence) LP (Mild)
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). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 7 and up can manage The Dark is Rising (The Dark is Rising Sequence) on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
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 LP (Mild, mostly 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 11+ 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.
For Parents
Content Intensity
LP · Mild · PhysicalReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
Light 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 denser, slower-paced 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