What reading level is Arch enemy?

Arch enemy by Paul Hoblin is at a Level 4-5 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What genre is Arch enemy?

Arch enemy is fiction — Young Adult Fiction.

How many pages is Arch enemy?

Arch enemy by Paul Hoblin is 112 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Arch enemy

Paul Hoblin

Arch enemy

Q: What age is Arch enemy appropriate for?

Arch enemy is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9LE (Light — Emotional). Content flags: Emotional: Identity & Self-Discovery, Emotional: Friendship, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety, Social: LGBTQ+ Representation.

Q: Does Arch enemy have any content warnings?

Arch enemy has a HootRating of 9LE (Light — Emotional). Content flags include: Emotional: Identity & Self-Discovery, Emotional: Friendship, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety, Social: LGBTQ+ Representation. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Paul Hoblin

Reading Level 4-5 9LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

Addie used to be the unstoppable defender on her soccer team, but now her biggest challenge is her former best friend turned rival. Eva’s sudden mean notes and sneaky plays threaten more than just the game—it’s a battle of friendship and trust. Can Addie hold onto her spot and figure out what matters most?

Challenged Book

About & Banning Context

In "Archenemy," Addie is a dedicated defender for the Fraser High girls' soccer team, but her biggest challenge comes from within her own team. Once best friends with Eva Riley, their relationship soured when Addie prioritized soccer over a potential romantic connection. Now, Eva's jealousy manifests in mean notes and sabotaging Addie's performance on the field. As tensions rise, Addie grapples with whether she wants to mend their friendship while also fighting to maintain her position on the team amidst the chaos. This book explores the pressures of high-level sports, friendship dynamics, and the complexities of young relationships, making it relatable for readers interested in sports and adolescent drama.

Key Themes

friendship jealousy sports identity LGBTQ+ identity

Reviewed By

School Library Journal The Horn Book

Source: Unite Against Book Bans — Arch enemy

Themes

Friendship SportsTolerationLGBTQ+ Representation Coming of Age

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade fiction explores themes of friendship, toleration, and identity through the lens of a girls' soccer team. It addresses the complexities of changing relationships and young LGBTQ+ experiences in an age-appropriate way for readers aged 9-12. Parents should know it includes mild conflict and emotional challenges related to friendship and acceptance.

Why we rated Arch enemy 9LE

Arch enemy is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 112 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Arch enemy works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Arch enemy as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Emotional: Identity & Self-Discovery, Emotional: Friendship, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety, Social: LGBTQ+ Representation.

Thematically, Arch enemy explores friendship, sports, toleration, lgbtq+ representation, and coming of age — 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.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, sports, toleration.