How to make a wave
Lisa Hurst-Archer
How to make a wave
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Lisa Hurst-Archer
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
The salty breeze stings Delia's cheeks as the crashing waves echo her swirling thoughts. She feels alone, tangled in secrets about her family and herself, with memories as blurry as the ocean mist. But as the tide pulls back, so does the veil on a hidden truth that could change everything.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Delia, a young girl grappling with feelings of isolation and family secrets after her mother left when she was young. Through supportive relationships with her aunt and art teacher, Delia learns to face painful memories and understand that everyone carries hidden struggles. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story gently explores themes of loss, identity, and emotional growth without heavy or graphic content.
Why we rated How to make a wave 11ME
How to make a wave is written at a Level 6 reading level across 223 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, How to make a wave works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate How to make a wave as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, How to make a wave explores family, friendship, coming of age, secrets, and art — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, friendship, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Making Waves (On the Road (Sagebrush))
Stephanie Doyon
Making Waves (On the Road (Sagebrush))
Stephanie Doyon
My Life with the Wave
Catherine Cowan
My Life with the Wave
Catherine Cowan
Wild Waves (The Real Deal)
Lisa Thompson
Wild Waves (The Real Deal)
Lisa Thompson
Making Waves #10
Katherine Applegate
Making Waves #10
Katherine Applegate
Making Waves
Vicky Fang
Making Waves
Vicky Fang
The waves
Virginia Woolf
The waves
Virginia Woolf
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780889953956
- Pages
- 223
- Publisher
- Red Deer Press
- Published
- 2008
- Type
- Fiction