The Weirdstone of Brisingamen

A spooky short novel about a pair of children who turn out to have an ancient, magical stone that holds the key to the freedom and happiness of the world. It has themes of sacrifice and bravery, and also of people being connected to their place in the world through generations. It was reminiscent of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings for me, but with a different flavor that I identify with Alan Garner.