Over Sea, Under Stone: The Dark is Rising sequence (A Puffin Book)

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One day not long after that, a burglar breaks into Grey House. Curiously, the burglar ignored traditional valuables like jewelry or cash and instead went straight for the bookshelves. The parents are mystified by this, but Simon, Jane, and Barney believe they know the truth: The burglar was looking for the old map manuscript. Now that they realize the value of the manuscript in their possession, the siblings decide it's time to come clean to Merriman about everything. After hearing their story, Merriman confirms what they were all thinking: The manuscript is a treasure map. Moreover, the treasure in question is none other than the Holy Grail for which Arthur's knights famously quested. And finally, Merriman admits that the children are in great danger, for there are forces of darkness--"The Dark," as he terms it--after the Grail who will stop at nothing to retrieve it. And while Merriman worries for their safety, he also encourages them to seek out the Grail so they can claim it on behalf of "The Light," as the alternative is too dark a possibility to bear. Born from Peridot, Serpentine is another ocean-sourced stone that we’re proud to be able to bring you. Turquoise has been recognised and valued for thousands of years. It's been consistently loved by generations, and it’s easy to see why. while i am waiting for that,i will write a review for this book. obviously, there are going to be comparisons to that narnia series - british siblings shuttled off to a spooky house with secret passageways behind a wardrobe with an eccentric older relative and some christian mythology thrown in for funs. What makes this book a little more that just a children’s adventure, is one the historical/legendary aspects that come in for the mysterious manuscript and treasure are related to Arthur and Arthurian lore, as are the forces of dark that have been unleased. Also with the children being the ones to ‘find’ the map, an element of destiny, even prophecy (even though not specifically mentioned) comes into play for it is clear that it is they who must find the treasure. Great Uncle Merry (we are given an idea as to who he could be, but I won’t spoil the fun) helps and is there to protect them when needed (even distract the ‘villains’), but never takes the lead or tries to takes over the treasure hunt. Again, the danger, that comes from the Withers as well as some other characters representing the ‘dark’ is far more sinister than in an ‘ordinary’ children’s adventure.

I wanted to like this but couldn't sink my teeth into the plot or characters. Jane, Simon, and Barney, go with their parents to Cornwall to visit their Uncle Merry. The three explore the old grey house and discover an ancient map that puts them on the quest for the Holy Grail. The forces of Dark want the map too for its unlimited power and with the help of Uncle Merry it is a mad race to see who can find it first. The threesome are not sure who is good or bad and their innocent trust oftentimes leads them to dangerous situations. Captain Toms: Friend of Merriman, owner of The Grey House which the Drews rent, has a very smart red setter Rufus that helps the Drew children avoid danger and find the Grail. Calkins, Lucy... (2002). " Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper" (PDF). A Field Guide to the Classroom Library. Heinemann . Retrieved 12 September 2007. Samples online (fieldguides.heinemann.com/samples).Tanzanite is a true natural phenomenon, and the privilege that comes with owning such a stone is completely unmatched. One day, while playing indoors, the children find an attic and Barney discovers a map and manuscript hidden under a floorboard. The children examine it, and Barney realises that the map refers to King Arthur and his knights. The children decide to keep the discovery to themselves. The writing itself is lovely. Not too fancy, and yet still describing things well. There's a real sense of ominous danger in parts of it, and yet the writing also brings across a feeling of childhood, summer vacations and sunburns and going to see the sea. Over Sea, Under Stone is set in Cornwall. Research this area of England. Does the novel accurately show Cornwall's customs, legends, and landscape?

He jerked the bicycle upright, taking no heed of Jane; the pedal caught her ankle and she winced with pain. There was suddenly an ear-splitting crash from the other side of the boxes, a scream, and a noise of metal jingling on concrete. Simon and Barney gazed horrified at one another for a moment, and rushed round to the other side. In fact, it may have already begun, for a Mr Withers and his sister Polly—living in the neighbourhood—have been to invite the family to come out on their yacht and Jane distinctly feels uncomfortable around them. While Great Uncle Merry does help and support them in searching for the treasure, actually deciphering the map’s clues and finding the treasure is for the three to do. But can they do this on their own? Do the Withers brother and sister catch up with them? And then, after what seemed a long time, the hills gave way to the long blue line of the sea, and the village was before them.Bill Hoover Jr.: Nephew to the housekeeper, he is a young, very unpleasant local, working for the Withers. I bet he’s right. Fishermen always know things, specially Cornish fishermen. You ask Great-Uncle Merry.” Soon the house is burgled, with attention paid only to the bookshelves and the wall hangings, and the children guess that someone else knows of and seeks the manuscript. The children decide that it is time to confide in Great-Uncle Merry. Up on the headland they show him the map, and he tells them that it is a copy of an even older map that shows the way to a hidden treasure and that the children are now in great danger. He explains that some British artefact may have been hidden here long ago, and confirms that they will have dangerous grown-up rivals in its pursuit. So begins their quest for the Grail on behalf of the Light, which they have to achieve while being harried by Mr. Withers and his sister, who are agents of the Dark, desperate to stop them at any cost. All in all, reading it now and knowing what the rest of the series is like, I look for the hints and things that will connect up, later. Something I've noticed this time through especially is the hints at Barney being something special, which is followed up on in Greenwitch and Silver On The Tree. It's interesting how often he knows or intuits things which seem hidden from everyone else. With its rich violet-blue color, the clarity of Tanzanite compares only to the clarity of the finest parts of the ocean. Stunning, vibrant and rare, Tanzanite is as unique as each individual wave, and its magic resonates from the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro to every eagle-eyed gemstone collector in the world.

As the birthstone for August, Peridot has a special place in many gemstone collections. However, with its gorgeous green hue, Peridot doesn’t need to be a birthstone to be favoured by the masses. i had never read this series, but had always wanted to. so ariel straight up mailed it to me! like santa The sunlight glinting on his white hair, Great-Uncle Merry scooped up their two biggest suitcases, one under each arm, and strode across the yard to a car. Ocean-colored and one of our most popular gemstones of the summer, Aquamarine is a consistent Gemporia favorite. Not only that, but it’s also a Royal favorite, worn and adored by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Places this size don’t have harbour-masters, you little fathead, only ports like Father went to in the navy.”Thompson, Raymond (2 July 1989). "Interview with Susan Cooper". Taliesin's Successors: Interviews with Authors of Modern Arthurian Literature. The Camelot Project. The Robbins Library, University of Rochester . Retrieved 13 January 2011. Oh yes you do. I can’t think why you weren’t ill in the train like you usually are. Just think of those waves in the Atlantic, and the mast swaying about, and nobody with an appetite for their breakfast except me. . . .” This is probably the fifteenth time I've read Over Sea, Under Stone, give or take a few times. Someone I knew recommended skipping it, since it's the most childish book in the series -- written, if I recall correctly, well before the other four, and most definitely aimed at kids. The scenario reminds me a little of a faintly Arthurian Enid Blyton story: three kids are on holiday and stumble into a mystery. On the other hand, it's much fuller than an Enid Blyton story. It's a fantasy story, at its most basic, really: the Dark vs. the Light. There's hints at an underlying story about King Arthur.

They recognise a drawing of the local coastline that may be a kind of map, with almost illegible text, but Barney realises that the map refers to King Arthur and his knights. The children decide to keep the discovery to themselves. Another thing which gets me is how all the people act like people. Jane and Barney and Simon get scared, they get jealous of each other, they puff themselves up and act important… The adults are indulgent, complacent. And then there’s the poetry of the quiet moments, the moon on the water and the quiet dusty attic and… Yeah. Brilliant writing. Not as compelling as the later books, but even here it’s very fine. Mother says we can go down and look at the harbour before supper,” Barney said, behind them. “Coming?” Following, they looked. It was a vast, battered estate car, with rusting mudguards and peeling paint, and mud caked on the hubs of the wheels. A wisp of steam curled up from the radiator. Marine Diamonds differ from Diamonds found on land, in the sense that they are usually of a higher quality. As Diamonds found in the ocean were transported there by rivers, this process can ruin stones of a lower quality – therefore, only Diamonds of the best quality actually make it to the ocean.She’s a beauty. I wonder whose she is?” Simon stood watching, entranced. The yacht crept nearer, her sails beginning to flap; and then the tall white mainsail crumpled and dropped. They heard the rattle of rigging, very faint across the water, and the throaty cough of an engine. It wasn’t my fault,” she said, with some spirit, “You came rushing up without looking where you were going.”