Dickens & Rumi

book

Among the Enemy

Margaret Peterson Haddix · 2005

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for Among the Enemy by Margaret Peterson Haddix. This book is content notes include Death of a character, Frightening scenes, Violence; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Good role models.

Book 6 · The Shadow Children SeriesSource checked

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsDeath of a character 4/5 · Frightening scenes 4/5 · Violence 4/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 5/5 · Good role models 4/5
Series positionBook 6 · The Shadow Children Series
Recommendation4/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Death of a character 4/5
Recommendation 4/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
14Scored categories
14Evidence notes
1Explicit 0/5 checks
Nov 5, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

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Review depth14 scored categories14 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character4/5
  • Frightening scenes4/5
  • Violence4/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience5/5
  • Good role models4/5
  • Positive messages4/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

Next volumeBook 7 · Among the FreeStrongest cautions: Frightening scenes 4/5 · Death of a character 3/5Open next review →
  1. Book 1 · Among the HiddenAges 13+
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes4/5Violence3/5Graphic injury1/5Strong language1/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 2 · Among the Impostors
    Frightening scenes3/5Death of a character2/5Violence2/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  3. Book 3 · Among the Betrayed
    Frightening scenes4/5Violence3/5Death of a character2/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  4. Book 4 · Among the Barons
    Frightening scenes4/5Death of a character3/5Violence3/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  5. Book 5 · Among the Brave
    Frightening scenes4/5Death of a character3/5Violence3/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  6. Book 6 · Among the Enemy
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  7. Book 7 · Among the Free
    Frightening scenes4/5Death of a character3/5Violence3/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler

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What’s in it?

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

Secondary characters die, and the threat of death is constant for the protagonists.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Injuries are described but not in graphic detail.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

No profanity or slurs appear in the supplied material. The dystopian conflict may include mild insults or harsh wording, but stronger language is not indicated.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

Minor, age-appropriate budding relationships occur but are not central.

Frightening scenes4/5
Why this rating?

The constant threat of capture, death, and betrayal creates significant tension.

Violence4/5
Why this rating?

Includes scenes of crossfire, shootings, crashing, and general peril from a repressive regime.

Checked and not flagged

No concern recorded in these categories

These categories were explicitly scored 0/5 in the published review. This is not a guarantee that every edition or reader experience is identical.

Alcohol or drugs · 0/5

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience5/5
Why this rating?

Courage is a central theme as protagonists risk their lives to resist an unjust system.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Characters use imaginative and clever strategies to outsmart the enemy.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

The cast has varied roles and viewpoints within the resistance and government, but the supplied material gives little evidence of diverse identities, abilities, or backgrounds.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

Explores concepts of totalitarianism, propaganda, and civic duty.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Characters show empathy and compassion to those in need despite personal danger.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Strong focus on resistance to oppression, integrity, and the value of truth.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

Characters demonstrate significant courage, loyalty, and resourcefulness under extreme pressure.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in Among the Enemy would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Among the Enemy, and what caused that change?
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