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Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List

(2007, Fiction - Coming of Age, Written by Rachel Cohn, David Levithan)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Cool city kids' jealous fight is only mildly fun.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    Naomi is a virgin, but still kisses, fools around. Gay Ely is promiscuous (at one point, he asks his boyfriend to lick whip cream off him, and later flashes a bouncer to get into a drag queen performance at a club).

  • Language:

    Lots of sexual language, and other big bad words, like the f-word.

  • Consumerism:

    Starbucks, Orbit gum, The Gap, mention of prescription sleep medications, alcohol brands.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Main characters drink to drunkenness, There are drug references, including a character who mans the "ganja hotline."
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List

Parents need to know that the two protagonists swear, get drunk, and are mean to one another. Naomi is a virgin, but still kisses and fools around. Her gay best friend Ely is more promiscuous (at one point, he asks his boyfriend to lick whipped cream off him, and later flashes a bouncer to get into a drag queen performance at a club).

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the pros and cons of co-authoring a book (Levithan and Cohn also wrote Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist together). Do you think writing this way would be helpful or frustrating? Do you think men can create better male characters and women better female characters?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    babybluee31195
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Good life teachings

    I think although this book has many swears and some sexual content helps a straight and gay person learn a lot about themselves by the end of the book, which can leave the reader with some positive outlooks on their own personal lives and advice on how to love yourself, great book

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Adult Reviewer
    moviemadness
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 3.0

    So-So Book About Gay/Straight Friends

    Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List is boring, sex-filled, and slightly catty. Best friends (straight) Naomi and (gay) Ely keep a list of people that neither are allowed to kiss to preserve their friendship. Unfortuately, Naomi wants to kiss Ely. Catfights, sex-talk, and some very wierd scenarios ensue. Worth it for a rainy afternoon.

    This review...

    Helped me decide (1) | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    haitianlove12
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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