What reading level is Public enemies?

Public enemies by Ann Aguirre is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 760L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Public enemies appropriate for?

Public enemies is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9ME (Moderate — Emotional).

What genre is Public enemies?

Public enemies is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Public enemies have any content warnings?

Public enemies has a HootRating of 9ME (Moderate — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Public enemies?

Public enemies by Ann Aguirre is 378 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Public enemies

Ann Aguirre

Public enemies

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Ann Aguirre

Reading Level 4-5 9ME Ages 9-12 Matched

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

The sharp scent of rain-soaked asphalt fills the air as Edie races through shadowy streets where every whisper could turn into a nightmare. Her fears are no longer just in her head—they’re chasing her, alive and hungry. With time running out to save someone she loves, the chilling game has only just begun.

Themes

ImmortalityPreparatory schoolsParanormal fictionRevengeFriendship Family

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade paranormal fiction follows Edie Kramer as she navigates a dangerous supernatural game where fears become real and human lives are mere pawns. After her boyfriend’s sacrifice, Edie faces relentless threats while racing against a six-month deadline to save him. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of loss, courage, and sacrifice within a suspenseful, eerie setting.

Why we rated Public enemies 9ME

Public enemies is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 760L across 378 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Public enemies works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Public enemies as 9ME ("Moderate — 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, physical peril, 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, Public enemies explores immortality, preparatory schools, paranormal fiction, revenge, and friendship — 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 immortality, preparatory schools, paranormal fiction.

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.