Tales from a Not-So-Friendly Frenemy
by Rachel Rene Russell
2016
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- rivalry
- bullying and mean-girl dynamics
- self-confidence
- identity
- school life
- humor
- crushes
About this book
Nikki Maxwell’s exchange week lands her at ultra-fancy North Hampton Hills—home turf of her rival, MacKenzie Hollister. Trying to survive new cliques, crush confusion, and nonstop drama, Nikki leans on her friends, her diary, and her sense of humor. Told with doodles and laugh-out-loud moments, it captures the ups and downs of middle school life. Perfect for tweens who enjoy friendship stories, school drama, and a lively journal style.
Setting: suburban rival prep school and middle school during a student exchange week
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tales from a Not-So-Friendly Frenemy right for my child?
Yes — Tales from a Not-So-Friendly Frenemy is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.6, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 9–14 (4th–8th grade). Themes include friendship, rivalry, bullying and mean-girl dynamics.
How long does it take to read Tales from a Not-So-Friendly Frenemy?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Tales from a Not-So-Friendly Frenemy takes around 2.8h to finish. The book has 28,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Tales from a Not-So-Friendly Frenemy have an AR quiz?
Yes — Tales from a Not-So-Friendly Frenemy has an AR quiz available, worth 3 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 Tales from a Not-So-Friendly Frenemy?
Tales from a Not-So-Friendly Frenemy has an AR reading level of 5.6, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8) — 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.