Raising Readers - Over Sea, Under Stone

Parents who encourage and successfully develop children who read see greater school success and satisfaction.  This series reviews various examples of children’s literature and provides insights for parents to discuss with their children.   Reading and sharing the wonderful stories available to children sends a message that reading is important, creates positive “shared experiences” for families, and helps parents exert a subtle influence on their children’s development.

Simon, Jane and Barney Drew are on holiday in Trewissick, Cornwall (England) with their parents and their Great Uncle Merriman Lyon.  “Gumerry”, as the children call him, is a mysterious professor of archeology.  The children explore the house that Uncle Merry has rented for them, and discover an ancient treasure map describing the secret hiding place of The Holy Grail.  It can only be found by solving a series of clues described in the map.  Uncle Merry tells the children that others, evil ones referred to only as “the Dark”, are also after the map and the grail.  An exciting and dangerous race to find the grail begins so the Dark forces will not be able to find it first and use it to increase their dark power.

Over Sea, Under Stone is the first book in “The Dark is Rising” series.  Cooper incorporates Welsh and English lore into a variation of Arthurian legend.  The grail described in the map dates back a thousand years to the original King Arthur who fought against the Dark forces of evil, but was eventually defeated by them.  However, the fight continues through time and Uncle Merry turns out to be an important figure in the ongoing struggle.  Suddenly, characters who the children thought were good, turn out to be sinister agents of the Dark forces that must be overcome and outwitted.  If the children can recover the grail first, its powers can be used by a new Arthur to continue the fight with added strengths. 

This classic “Good vs Evil” story is a nice introduction to fantasy because it is set in a familiar place and time.  But, there are unknown forces that the children (and the reader) slowly discover.  Some of the scenes take place at night, which increases the intensity of the danger the children face.  Depending on reading level, this book is for 12 year olds and up.    

Raising Readers is written by Steve Arnold of Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services.  He can be reached at 610.831.5101 or ChesMontClubZ@gmail.com.  Find out more about Club Z! In-Home Tutoring at www.clubztutoring.com/ChesMont.