Many Waters
Macmillan 1986
Book 4 of Time Quintet
Easy read — content targets 6th grade and up
Reading level 5.6 (5th grade) but themes aimed at ages 11+
Book 4 in a series — earlier books first
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Genre
Themes
- time travel
- faith
- temptation
- free will vs destiny
- family bonds
- coming of age
- good vs evil
- courage
About this book
Practical twins Sandy and Dennys Murry accidentally trigger one of their parents’ experiments and land in a desert world from the distant past. There they encounter desert tribes, shimmering mythical beings, and a family named Noah preparing for an ominous flood. As they search for a way home, the boys face tests of character, first crushes, and moral choices in a harsh, beautiful landscape. It’s a thoughtful, adventure-filled companion to A Wrinkle in Time for readers who like science, myth, and big questions.
Setting: ancient Near East before the Biblical Flood
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Many Waters right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Many Waters. The reading level is AR 5.6, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 11+ (6th grade and up). Themes include time travel, faith, temptation. Note: this is book 4 in a series — your child should read the earlier books first.
How long does it take to read Many Waters?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Many Waters takes around 8.5h to finish. The book has 84,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Many Waters have an AR quiz?
Yes — Many Waters has an AR quiz available, worth 12 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 Many Waters?
Many Waters has an AR reading level of 5.6, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+) — 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.