Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List

by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

I like Rachel Cohn (Gingerbread, Shrimp, and Cupcake). I like the title and description of this young adult novel. But I do not like this book.

Why? I should like it. It's told from different points of view. It's full of young adult angst and conflict. But none of the characters are likable.

Naomi is gorgeous and attached at the hip to Ely, her neighbor and best friend, who also happens to be gay. They've been best friends for as long as they can remember, and Naomi still envisions them getting married, EVEN THOUGH ELY IS GAY. When Ely kisses Naomi's boyfriend, she is shocked and betrayed and decides that their friendship is over.

What is so frustrating is that all of the conflict is based upon Naomi's failure to understand that ELY IS GAY. How stupid. What a silly premise for a book.

9/24/07