Plot: Katherine and Michael, two very responsible teenagers, fool around, fall in love and, after she visits Planned Parenthood, go all the way.

Why it's on the list: Blume's 1975 novel replaced Catcher In the Rye as the coming-of-age novel of choice (say goodbye to the prostitute in the green dress and Holden Caulfield's simpering attitude). Not surprisingly, since every post-Boomer generation can pinpoint its first sexual memory in the pages of Forever, it is also the title most frequently challenged by fundamentalists, prudes and puritans.

Excerpt: In books penises are always described as hot and throbbing but Ralph felt like ordinary skin. Just his shape was different -- that and the fact that he wasn't smooth, exactly -- as if there was a lot going on under the skin. I don't know why I'd been so nervous about touching Michael. Once I got over being scared I let my hands go everywhere. I wanted to feel every part of him.

While I was experimenting, I asked, "Is this right?"

And Michael whispered, "Everything's right."

When I kissed his face it was all sweaty and his eyes were half-closed. He took my hand and led it back to Ralph, showing me how to hold him, moving my hand up and down according to his rhythm. Soon Michael moaned and I felt him come -- a pulsating feeling, a throbbing, like the books said -- then wetness. Some of it got on my hand but I didn't let go of Ralph."