Waiting to dive
by Karen Rivers
Scholastic Canada 2007
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Retailer links may be affiliate links.
Genre
Themes
- friendship
- guilt and forgiveness
- resilience
- sports and competition
- identity
- empathy
- coping with change
- family
About this book
A dedicated young swimmer dreams of moving up to the next level, but everything shifts when a sudden accident changes her best friend’s life and the team dynamic. Told with honesty and heart, the story follows a girl figuring out who she is in and out of the water. Readers see her wrestle with loyalty, guilt, and courage as she learns what it really means to be a friend. Ideal for middle-grade readers who like realistic stories about sports, friendship, and resilience.
Setting: contemporary Canada; swim club, school, and neighborhood
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waiting to dive right for my child?
Yes — Waiting to dive is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.4, which is typical for 4th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 9–14 (4th–8th grade). Themes include friendship, guilt and forgiveness, resilience.
How long does it take to read Waiting to dive?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Waiting to dive takes around 3.5h to finish. The book has 32,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Waiting to dive have an AR quiz?
Yes — Waiting to dive has an AR quiz available, worth 4 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Waiting to dive?
Waiting to dive has an AR reading level of 4.4, which places it at a 4th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.