Author:  E. Lockhart
ISBN:  978-0-385-73426-4

This is the third "Boyfriend" book from this fantastically funny author, and it was a true joy to read.

Click Here To Purchase The Treasure Map of Boys: Noel, Jackson, Finn, Hutch, Gideon--and me, Ruby Oliver

Ruby Oliver is our main character.  She is now beginning her junior year of high school in the befuddled state of Noboyfriend-hood.  After last year at Tate Prep, Ruby finds herself being talked about like the biggest hussy in history by the rest of the "it" girls.  You see, sophomore year was an absolute debacle with boys, and the only ones who seem to still like her are her two best friends, Nora and Meghan.  Nora is the absolute sweetheart of the school, who has harbored a crush on Noel - the sweetest boy in school - for a long time.  Unfortunately for Ruby, she likes Noel, too.  And, much to her surprise, he feels the same way.  Of course, seeing as that Nora is really her one true friend who hasn't yet discarded her because of her bad reputation, Ruby decides to stay as far away from Noel as she can and let Nora have him.  Her other friend, Meghan, is hysterical.  She wants a boyfriend too, but Meghan likes no one more than she likes herself.  Frankly, the only thing guys are good for in her book is to offer her an arm so she can walk into the prom with someone.

Now Jackson is Ruby's ex-boyfriend.  He is one of the mistakes in her past that has branded her a fallen woman in the school's eyes.  Jackson is dating someone else now, but that relationship is doomed to failure...so, of course, he tries to crawl back to Ruby.  There is also Finn.  Finn is the school "stud-muffin" who loves eighties hair bands.  He truly believes that head bangin' will stop Ruby's panic attacks.  Ah...the joy of high school:  boys; science teachers who are so happy they almost seem drugged out of their minds; boys; iambic pentameter; boys; bake sales that are run by the "elite" crowd where they spend most of their time making marshmallow sculptures that look and taste horrible; boys; panic attacks; boys...you get the drift.  Ruby needs to find a way to remove herself from all the high-stakes drama going on around her.  The one thing she does understand is animals; after all, their love is unconditional.  Because of this she interns at the Woodland Park Zoo.  At least, she does until she tells a drunken visitor not to place his child on a farm animal because she's trying to protect the goat.

One of the greatest things about this book is the journal writing and footnotes that are added to almost every page.  Ruby keeps "The Girl Book" where she gives her views on everything from whether or not a guy is a white chocolate brownie or simply a nice, pleasant muffin; as well as lists of "How to Ruin Your Life in Nine Easy Steps."  Watching Ruby go through the trials and tribulations of her life is absolutely hysterical.  It's also a little frightening to think that even grown-up women have the same problems, vices, and panic attacks that Ruby is experiencing.  Some things never change, I suppose.  Especially...you guessed it!  Boys.

 Click Here To Purchase The Treasure Map of Boys: Noel, Jackson, Finn, Hutch, Gideon--and me, Ruby Oliver