Over Sea, Under Stone

Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper, 1965 Harcourt

     When the Drew family (Simon, Jane, Barney, and their parents) visit Trewissick in Cornwall for their summer vacation, the three children and their strange Uncle Merriman are on a quest for King Arthur's Holy Grail. At first it's just an adventure for the children, but when some strange characters come out of the woodwork things turn sinister.
     Through their encounters with the strange people hoping to turn Simon, Jane, and Barney over to their side and in searching for the Grail they learn the difference between the Light and Dark. When the forces of Darkness begin to use the people of Trewissick, Simon, Jane and Barney turn to Uncle Merriman and the Light to help complete their quest.
     Cooper's work was written for younger readers, but the writing style lends itself to an older audience. It is a somewhat simple storyline yet is skilfully crafted with twists and turns to draw readers in and immerse them in a realistic world full of magic and mystery.