Common enemy
M.C. Sumner
Common enemy
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by M.C. Sumner
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
What if the scariest enemy was the one you never saw coming? Noah can hear secrets in whispers, Harley’s father has vanished without a trace, and Kenyon’s ready to fight back. Together, they face a shadow that could change everything—but will they survive what’s ahead?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows three young protagonists who unite to confront a mysterious adversary. Combining elements of horror and mystery, it explores themes of friendship and courage while maintaining age-appropriate suspense for readers aged 9-12. Parents should note the presence of mild supernatural elements and tense situations but no graphic content.
Why we rated Common enemy 9LE
Common enemy is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 185 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Common enemy works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Common 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Common enemy explores friendship, mystery, horror, and adventure — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, mystery, horror.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780671014117
- Pages
- 185
- Publisher
- Simon Pulse
- Published
- 1997
- Type
- Fiction