Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Cohn, R. & Levithan, D. (2008). Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. New York: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. ISBN 9780375846144

Plot Summary 

Nick and Norah have never met, but Tris is Nick's ex-girlfriend, Norah's teenage rival, and the connection between the two.  After Nick plays a show with his bandmates The Jerk Offs, he and Norah spark a conversation that ends with them leaving with some friends to attempt to find a secret show by an elusive band playing in the area.  When Norah sees Tris, she grabs Nick to kiss him, not knowing about their former relationship.  Norah discovers Nick is the architect of the discarded mix CDs she has been listening to and adoring.  Throughout the night, they will continue to confront each other's pasts and insecurities while growing closer together.

Critical Evaluation 

This book takes place over the course of one night, developing in real time as much as possible, mainly following the titular characters.  Their quest to find Where's Fluffy? is punctuated by diversions and obstacles, but the two stick together, forming a relationship in practice before anything is official or stated.  The constantly shifting locales in the search for the band keep the pace quick, and frequent run-ins with different characters let the reader know more about Nick and Norah based on how they react to different people in their lives.  All of this happens very organically and makes for an engaging read.

Reader's Annotation 

Where's Fluffy?  Nick and Norah will spend a crazy night, partly caught up in this question and partly caught up in each other.

Author Information 

Random House provides quick biographies for both authors, summing up their works and accomplishments:
"Rachel Cohn is the highly acclaimed young adult author of Gingerbread, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, an ALA Top Ten Quick Pick for Young Adults, and a Publisher’s Weekly and School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, as well as its sequel, Shrimp. She lives in New York City.

David Levithan is the highly acclaimed young adult author of Boy Meets Boy, an ALA Top 10 Best Book for Young Adults, An ALA Quick Pick, and a Lamda Literary Award winner, The Realm of Possibility, an ALA Top 10 Best Book for Young Adults, and Are We There Yet? He lives in Hoboken, New Jersey."

Genre 

Fiction, contemporary

Curriculum Ties 

Reading & Language Arts

Booktalking Ideas 

As a confused Caroline waking up intoxicated in a strange van, talk about figuring out where you are and how you have good friends like Norah to take care of you.

Reading Level/Interest Age 

This book ranks a 1020L on the Lexile Range.  It is appropriate for and would interest teens aged 15-18.

Challenge Issues

Frequent cursing, sex, homosexuality, and drinking are all addressed.

If challenged, I would first suggest being familiar with the work in order to speak about it directly. Then, listen the challenger's complaint, show them to positive reviews, and refer to the collection policy, stating a need to include a variety of works that may not be suitable for all, but should contain something for everyone. As a last resort, turn to the ALA Bill of Rights or First Amendment defense, but try not to let things get there; listen and reassure the patron.

Reason Selected

I read this book when it was first released, uninitiated with young adult literature.  I was shocked at the subject matter and presentation, but I read it in one sitting.