The Treasure Map of Boys

The Treasure Map of Boys
By E. Lockhart
Delacorte Press, 2009. 244 pgs. Young Adult

In the third installment of the Ruby Oliver series, Ruby, who is still a social pariah, finds herself facing unexpected challenges in the second half of her junior year. Although she is attracted to Noel, her friend Nora likes him, too, and Ruby has vowed not to mess up her friendship with Nora. Jackson, who so cruelly dumped her and started dating her former best friend Kim, has now dumped Kim and is hanging around Ruby. Ruby's panic attacks are increasing, and she really needs to figure out what she wants before things get any worse.

I really enjoyed this book. Ruby is still funny and engaging, and her struggle to be a good friend and stand up for herself is painfully believable. Lockhart captures the drama of high school in a way that makes readers wait anxiously to see how things will play out and sweeps them up in the roller coaster ride of Ruby's life. This is a great series for chick-lit lovers and for reluctant readers.

AE