This fantasy series melds adventure, magic, and myth in an epic battle between the powers of Light and Dark. Before there was Harry Potter, there was Will Stanton, the seventh son of a seventh son who discovers on his eleventh birthday that he is one of the Old Ones, dedicated to battling the powers of evil. This series strikes the perfect balance between everyday characters and a world of ancient magic, humor and danger, and successfully incorporates aspects of British folklore and Arthurian legend into a contemporary context. Perfect for fifth-graders whose concepts of good and evil, childhood and maturity are becoming more complex, The Dark is Rising series is an enduring classic. (Aladdin, Boxed Set $29.99)