Like many examples of the realistic young adult novel, Close Enough to Touch involves some matters that could possibly concern some readers and their parents. The believable contemporary young adult in fiction may inevitably confront issues involving sexuality, drugs, alcohol, and often violence.

Although death is a central theme in the novel, there is nothing violent or gruesome involved. Neither does violence enter into any other part of Matt's experience. Peck has, however, created a protagonist who recognizes sexuality, drugs, and drinking as part of the world of his suburban peers, but his encounters with these things are handled with sensitivity by the author.

None of the problems involved with such realities are a chief concern of the novel, yet they are implied as part of Matt's environment.

Matt quite openly and maturely declares his unrealized sexual desire for Dory to his father, who is somewhat...