Friend or foe
Jody Feldman
Friend or foe
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jody Feldman
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
When a football injury sidelines Zane, he unexpectedly finds himself competing in the thrilling Gollywhopper Games, where puzzles and challenges test his smarts and strength. Teaming up with Elijah, a clever and quirky teammate, they form an unlikely friendship as they race toward a nail-biting final showdown. Packed with brain-teasing fun and exciting teamwork, this adventure keeps readers guessing until the very end.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with gentle content intensity. Content themes include mild peril. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Friend or foe 9C
Friend or foe is written at a Level 4-5 reading level (approximately 64,179 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.4 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Friend or foe works for readers up to grade 6.4.
Read aloud, Friend or foe runs about 7.1 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Friend or foe as 9C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.
Thematically, Friend or foe explores friendship, adventure, teamwork, sports, and puzzle solving — 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.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, adventure, teamwork.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 2 more books in the Gollywhopper Games series.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Content Flags
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
5/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
More in the Gollywhopper Games Series
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Football Foul Play
Jake Maddox
Football Foul Play
Jake Maddox
Friend Or Foe
Eleanor Robins
Friend Or Foe
Eleanor Robins
Games
Carol Gorman
Games
Carol Gorman
Games
Carol Gorman
Games
Carol Gorman
Friend or Foe (Misadventures of Willie Plummett)
Paul Buchanan
Friend or Foe (Misadventures of Willie Plummett)
Paul Buchanan
Fun and games
Joe Gannon
Fun and games
Joe Gannon
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062211286
- Publisher
- Greenwillow Books
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 64,179
- Read-Aloud
- ~7h 8m