The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper

Will Stanton got a very interesting present for his 11th Birthday in mid-December. He found out he is one of the “Old Ones” helping to protect the world from the Dark--a malevolent force. Over the course of the Twelve Days of Christmas with the help of his guide “Merriman” he hunts for six magical signs that when linked will force back the Dark. But the dark fights back with fierce blizzards, floods and other obstacles threatening Will’s family and the people of his village. The book combines ancient celtic legends with an exciting story. The second of five in the The Dark is Rising Sequence. The audiobook version was well read by Alex Jennings. (The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper. Listening Library, 1999.)