Families who loved Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your teen is navigating a deep betrayal by a best friend or struggling to define the boundaries between platonic and romantic love. This story follows lifelong friends Naomi and Ely, who have a list of people they are both forbidden from kissing to protect their bond. When Ely breaks the rule by kissing Naomi's boyfriend, their world shatters. This is a sophisticated look at the messy reality of growing apart and the hard work of forgiveness. It is ideal for older teens (14 and up) due to its mature themes of identity, sexuality, and the complicated nature of urban teenage life. Parents will appreciate the way it validates that friendship breakups can be just as painful and transformative as romantic ones.