The waiting tree
Lindsay Moynihan
The waiting tree
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Lindsay Moynihan
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), 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
Have you ever had to stand up for who you really are, even when everyone around you disagrees? Simon Peters is eighteen and loves Stephen, but his church and even his own brother have turned against him. Will Simon find the strength to live his truth, or will the waiting tree hold his secrets forever?
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel follows eighteen-year-old Simon Peters as he navigates love and identity in the face of rejection from his conservative church community and family. It sensitively explores themes of LGBTQ+ identity, family dynamics, and courage. Recommended for readers aged 13 and up, it offers a thoughtful look at the challenges of self-acceptance and social exclusion.
Why we rated The waiting tree 11IE
The waiting tree is written at a Level 6 reading level across 218 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The waiting tree works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The waiting tree as 11IE ("Intense — 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, social complexity, thematic difficulty — 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, The waiting tree explores family, lgbtq+ representation, coming of age, and identity & self-discovery — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ 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, lgbtq+ representation, 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
11IE — Intense — 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
Waiting
Carol Lynch Williams
Waiting
Carol Lynch Williams
The boy in the treehouse
Drew Hayden Taylor
The boy in the treehouse
Drew Hayden Taylor
The proud tree
Luane Roche
The proud tree
Luane Roche
Stand tall
Joan Bauer
Stand tall
Joan Bauer
Tree huggers
Leanne Statland Ellis
Tree huggers
Leanne Statland Ellis
Tree Girl
Ben Mikaelsen
Tree Girl
Ben Mikaelsen
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781477816349
- Pages
- 218
- Publisher
- Skyscape
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction