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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
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
What if you discovered you were part of an ancient battle between light and darkness? Imagine being just eleven years old and tasked with finding six magical signs to stop a powerful evil from taking over the world. Every step you take could be the difference between saving everyone or letting the Dark win.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This fantasy novel follows an eleven-year-old boy as he embarks on a quest to find six magical signs that can prevent an ominous evil known as the Dark from taking control. Suitable for middle school to young adult readers, the story blends elements of adventure, mythology, and magic with mild peril that is appropriate for ages 13 and up. Parents should note the presence of fantasy violence and suspenseful moments but no graphic content.
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 272 pages. 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.
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 adventure, fantasy, magic, myths & legends, and coming of age — 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 adventure, fantasy, magic.
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
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781416949657
- Pages
- 272
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- May 8, 2007
- Type
- Fiction