The Dark Is Rising

Written by: Susan Cooper

First line: "Too many!" James shouted, and slammed the door behind him.

Why you should read this book: Mixing pagan tropes into a prosaic English village in the middle of the twentieth century, this magical tale is a battle between the forces of dark and the forces of light, with young Will Stanton caught in the middle. On this eleventh birthday, he learns that he, the seventh son of a seventh son, is an "Old One," charged with uncovering and reuniting the six signs. The forces of darkness will do everything in their power to prevent him from reaching his goal, while the forces of light working to support his efforts.

Why you shouldn't read this book: Even though this is one of the better known volumes in this five-book series, it is actually book two, and, unlike me, you probably should start with book one.