Suitabook

Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List

Rachel Cohn, David Levithan

Reading: Read together or check in after the opening conflict; invite discussion of how each friend sees the situation without assuming the friendship will, or should, return to its former shape.
Themes: Friendship and boundaries: Naomi and Ely create a list of people neither should kiss, intending to protect their close friendship; Ely later kisses Naomi’s boyfriend. The outline centres the rule’s breach and the strain that follows, but does not establish whether the book treats the rule or either friend’s choices as justified.
Love and identity: Naomi has romantic feelings for Ely, who prefers boys; the story is framed as exploring love of different kinds. The outline presents these feelings as part of a complicated friendship, but does not show how the characters or narrative interpret them.
Worth knowing: The outline includes a kiss involving Naomi’s boyfriend and a resulting rift between friends. Their feelings and the consequences of the breach may merit attention if relationship conflict is a concern.