Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Delacorte Books for Young Readers (2009), Hardcover, 256 pages
Description
A Seattle sixteen-year-old juggles therapy, running a school bake sale, coping with her performance artist mother, growing distant from an old friend, and conflicting feelings about her ex-boyfriend and potential new boyfriends.
User reviews
LibraryThing member stephxsu
Now in the second half of her junior year, Ruby Oliver seems to have reached a sort of satisfying plateau in her social standing. No longer a social standing after the incident with the boyfriend list in sophomore year, Ruby now has several friends, of both genders—but, alas, she still does not
This is not to say that she doesn’t have any prospects. A school bake sale she runs prompts several guys to participate, and to maybe show an interest in her. Roo also can’t decide how she feels about her ex, Jackson, newly single after breaking up with Roo’s ex-best friend, sending her more gifts and always hanging around her. And finally, she has trouble interpreting the actions of Noel, her friend and someone she may like.
But then things get worse—much worse. And suddenly Roo is back in a position of trying to figure out who her true friends are, and whether or not she is a good person after all.
E. Lockhart’s Ruby Oliver books are, quite simply, some of the best studies of high school platonic and romantic interaction that ever exist. What I love about Roo and the books about her are how thoroughly and realistically complex the characters are. Teens do a lot of crazy things in high school, and there are never easy explanations for their motivations. Similarly, Roo is constantly trying to analyze her behavior and decide whether she is being a normal teenage girl or a horrible person.
This kind of three-dimensional psych study isn’t just limited to Roo, however. All of the other people in Roo’s life—with the exception of the adults—are prime candidates for loads of discussion. What makes them do what they do? Are they right to put so much blame on Roo for things going badly, or are they themselves also partially at fault? All the questions that teens subconsciously must answer in high school, and yet rarely have the ability to voice as clearly as Roo does.
The excellence doesn’t stop there, either! E. Lockhart not only creates wonderful characters, she also writes humorously. Roo has a habit of using footnotes liberally to either go off on tangents that usually involve cinema knowledge or to make a funny and/or informative note. The result is a book that is easy yet fun to read.
Due to E. Lockhart’s insightful observation about the behaviors of teenagers in a small school, as well as Roo’s admittedly dramatic life, the Ruby Oliver books would make great presents for teen girls who read a lot of manga but not many actual novels. The situations involving friends and love interests will be familiar to them, and the language will be accessible and enticing. And at the same time, there are plenty of smarts in this book to win anyone’s heart. If you want to relive those painful high school years of confusing and crazy emotions, this is a great series to pick up.
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have a boyfriend!This is not to say that she doesn’t have any prospects. A school bake sale she runs prompts several guys to participate, and to maybe show an interest in her. Roo also can’t decide how she feels about her ex, Jackson, newly single after breaking up with Roo’s ex-best friend, sending her more gifts and always hanging around her. And finally, she has trouble interpreting the actions of Noel, her friend and someone she may like.
But then things get worse—much worse. And suddenly Roo is back in a position of trying to figure out who her true friends are, and whether or not she is a good person after all.
E. Lockhart’s Ruby Oliver books are, quite simply, some of the best studies of high school platonic and romantic interaction that ever exist. What I love about Roo and the books about her are how thoroughly and realistically complex the characters are. Teens do a lot of crazy things in high school, and there are never easy explanations for their motivations. Similarly, Roo is constantly trying to analyze her behavior and decide whether she is being a normal teenage girl or a horrible person.
This kind of three-dimensional psych study isn’t just limited to Roo, however. All of the other people in Roo’s life—with the exception of the adults—are prime candidates for loads of discussion. What makes them do what they do? Are they right to put so much blame on Roo for things going badly, or are they themselves also partially at fault? All the questions that teens subconsciously must answer in high school, and yet rarely have the ability to voice as clearly as Roo does.
The excellence doesn’t stop there, either! E. Lockhart not only creates wonderful characters, she also writes humorously. Roo has a habit of using footnotes liberally to either go off on tangents that usually involve cinema knowledge or to make a funny and/or informative note. The result is a book that is easy yet fun to read.
Due to E. Lockhart’s insightful observation about the behaviors of teenagers in a small school, as well as Roo’s admittedly dramatic life, the Ruby Oliver books would make great presents for teen girls who read a lot of manga but not many actual novels. The situations involving friends and love interests will be familiar to them, and the language will be accessible and enticing. And at the same time, there are plenty of smarts in this book to win anyone’s heart. If you want to relive those painful high school years of confusing and crazy emotions, this is a great series to pick up.
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LibraryThing member heike6
When you stop looking for love and start appreciating what you've got, that's when you'll find love. A great follow-up to the other two Ruby Oliver books, which I enjoyed. The main character has a very unique yet utterly familiar voice that almost any heterosexual female can identify with. It's
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about how we get obsessed with things (boys) and think we're crazy, only to find out that we're actually normal. It's also about friendships, and which ones are worthwhile. I completely agree with Ruby's likening friendship to the unconditional love of a dog. If it isn't there, why bother? Show Less
LibraryThing member TheBookCellar
This was a really cute book. It would be a really good read for just lounging around reading on a summer day or something. It's not a real complicated plot so it was easy to get (which was good, as I hadn't read the previous 2 Ruby Oliver books).
Ruby's character was really fun and tries to do the
Ruby's character was really fun and tries to do the
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best. You can't help but to love her through all the things she does! Show Less
LibraryThing member ShellyPYA
Ruby Oliver is confused. After losing almost all her friends after a breakup, Ruby has decided to remain boyfriendless, but suddenly all these boys seem to be interested in her. Should she be with Jackson, her ex whose ex now hates her, Noel, who her best friend Nora is in love with, or any of the
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other guys that suddenly seem to be flirting with her? As her weekly therapy appointments reveal, nothing is as simple as it seems. Show Less
LibraryThing member ericajsc
After reading the first two books in this series, I became a fan of Ruby Oliver; after reading this third book, I think she’s my new hero. Ruby is a strong, smart, witty girl who has to navigate the minefield of small, private school where her reputation is less than desirable. Oh, and she’s
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surrounded by cute yet frustratingly vague boys who may or may not want to date her. It can be a difficult thing to create a neurotic character who is quirky and lovable rather than whiny and loathsome, but Lockhart keeps Ruby in the loveable camp. In fact, were it not for her various neuroses, I’d find her to be unrelatable and, quite frankly, I’d probably hate her for being so desirable. This is, in fact, the issue most of the girls in her school have with her. But since the book is told from Ruby’s point of view, the reader is able to see that she really is trying to be a good person, is actually trying to work through her issues.Throughout the book, Ruby faces situations that bring on panic attacks. In the middle of a panic attack at school, Ruby wonders, “If I had to be neurotic, couldn’t I turn glamorously pale and faint into someone’s arms and make him want to rescue me? Did I have to hyperventilate in an ugly coat and sit in the mud?” It is moments like this that flesh her out as a realistic teenager. Yes, she plans to get her fellow students to let go of their antiquated notions of masculinity, and she hates the idea that her friend Meghan wants to work on being in love by spring fling with an as-yet-undecided boy; but she’s a normal teenage girl and she’s still boy-crazy, even though she doesn’t want to be. In this book, far more than the previous two, Ruby grasps what Dr. Z has been trying to get at for over a year. But Lockhart doesn’t write it in a saccharine way. Although I had an idea of how things might end, Lockhart kept me guessing until the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member Runa
The Treasure Map of Boys begins with a quick recap of events, not getting in the way of the story, but serving as a nice reminder. Ruby is as quirky a narrator as always, and I loved her typical engaging thoughts. Although not that much happens plotwise, Ruby's snarky narration is just awesome
Rating: 4.5/5
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enough to keep my interest. I'm proud of how much Ruby has developed over the series, into the self-assured girl we see in this book, reminding me of Meg Cabot's Mia Thermopolis and her endless quest for self-actualization. I felt that the book had a solid ending that would have worked even as an ending to the series. It really felt like a complete work, though, unlike many books found in series, where they sometimes feel incomplete as individual works of fiction. On a different note, I think it is important for readers to realize and keep in mind through the reading that this is a work of fluff fiction, and should not be taken seriously. Ruby overexaggerates a lot, is completely obsessed with boys, and when it comes to it, leads a pretty shallow existence. Don't go into these books looking for a heavy read, go into them for a bit of relaxation and unwinding, a distraction from the busy realities of life. It's a cutesy story about a girl and her day-to-day relatable adventures. Ruby is one of those characters that I know I would hate in real life, but reading it from her perspective, getting her outlook makes me like her. I don't love her, but I see the reasons behind the actions and Ruby makes more sense as a person--as much sense as a fictional character can make. And isn't that what books are all about? A heightened sense of understanding about the world around us?Rating: 4.5/5
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LibraryThing member taleofnight
First of all, I might be the only one, but I really like the covers of these series. They portray the book well and are cute.
I loved this book. This was the kind of book that just sucked me in and I didn't know what was going on around me. The book picks up after winter break Ruby's Junior year.
I love Ruby and her witty narration. She's easy to relate to, either if you're boy crazy, get anxiety/panic attacks, lost a boyfriend to a friend, lost friends, lost a job, or starting a new job. She goes through everything a teenager goes through, which is really refreshing to read about since not a lot of books have such a relatable character.
Nora got on my nerves quite a bit, all though she had her moments of being a good friend, most of the time I just felt like she was friends with Rudy because she felt sorry for her. I like Meghan because she just tells you like it is and would sometimes make Ruby feel better for how she was feeling.
What I really enjoyed was that I couldn't figure out what was going to happen with Rudy and the list of boys she had looking her way (or who she thought was). At some points I was wanting her to be with Nora's brothers, other times Noel. But at the end of the book, I was really proud of Ruby and how much she had grown since the first book.
I love this series, and this book just made me love it more. I can't wait to read the next book.
I loved this book. This was the kind of book that just sucked me in and I didn't know what was going on around me. The book picks up after winter break Ruby's Junior year.
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She still has her two friends, Meghan and Nora, who help her with a school baking charity drive called Baby CHuBS.I love Ruby and her witty narration. She's easy to relate to, either if you're boy crazy, get anxiety/panic attacks, lost a boyfriend to a friend, lost friends, lost a job, or starting a new job. She goes through everything a teenager goes through, which is really refreshing to read about since not a lot of books have such a relatable character.
Nora got on my nerves quite a bit, all though she had her moments of being a good friend, most of the time I just felt like she was friends with Rudy because she felt sorry for her. I like Meghan because she just tells you like it is and would sometimes make Ruby feel better for how she was feeling.
What I really enjoyed was that I couldn't figure out what was going to happen with Rudy and the list of boys she had looking her way (or who she thought was). At some points I was wanting her to be with Nora's brothers, other times Noel. But at the end of the book, I was really proud of Ruby and how much she had grown since the first book.
I love this series, and this book just made me love it more. I can't wait to read the next book.
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LibraryThing member pokylittlepuppy
Oh this one you guys. Everyone.How bad does it hurt seeing Ruby have trouble. She is so mad and so trying. She's learned how to stick up for herself but that sometimes makes things worse. The fight at the zoo, and Nora still judging her, and every single time she dissolves into another panic
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attack, which get so much worse in this book I lost count.I love the Tate Boys Bake campaign. And the fight with the older girl, and the scene there at the bake sale. With Jackson, when she says what she thinks. I cried on the subway.The chapter titles are particularly good. And the emulsions. Am not super excited I caught the misspelling in Hilary Duff's name. (Not Hillary.) YA is a little perilous, I guess.In addition, I am tempted to try this "my therapist says you have to get me a really big dog" thing at home. Show Less
LibraryThing member evet
Third in a series and really fun to read. Great sense of humor. Did think the parents, especially the mother, were caricatures rather than realistically developed characters, but that is a small criticism.
LibraryThing member erendida01
the novel the treasure map of boys encompases a girl that has forgotten about her ex boyfriend but still has panick attacks, in the beginning she loves her boyfriend the protagonist struggles with her panik attacks, throughout the middle she preseves through having panic attacks less and being able
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to control them. by the end she learned that she had to forget about her past Show Less
LibraryThing member jenniferthomp75
Ruby's hilarious, poignant and realistic adventures with boys continues in the 3rd book of the series.
She emotionally matures in this book (but not too much), gets a dog and begins to realize that her world doesn't revolve around her ex-boyfriend Jackson.
Lots of fun, entertaining and a quick read,
She emotionally matures in this book (but not too much), gets a dog and begins to realize that her world doesn't revolve around her ex-boyfriend Jackson.
Lots of fun, entertaining and a quick read,
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I can't wait to read the next one! Show Less
LibraryThing member ReginaR
Another great book in the Ruby Oliver series. This series is such fun but also offers great messages for teen girls (and really for adults too). Ruby continues on her path through high school, standing her ground when pushed and dealing with high school drama issues. This one started off slightly
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slower than the first two, but once in to the book I did not want to stop. It is funny, enlightening and just pure enjoyment. Show Less
LibraryThing member LaneLiterati
My favorite of the three that I've read so far. It could also be titled Ruby Messes Up Again but Finally Gets a Clue.
LibraryThing member satyridae
Ruby's older but... I dunno, she really hasn't grown up as much as I'd expect. She, and her friends, seem to still mentally be sophomores. Or maybe the junior kids I know are extra mature. I had a hard time trying to reconcile the apparent ages of the characters with their stated ages. That being
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said, it was still a very enjoyable book, and I like the ways in which Ruby begins to take control of her life. I also like her level of confusion, that reads dead-on to me. However, Jackson hasn't a single redeeming quality. Not one. Show Less
LibraryThing member A_Reader_of_Fictions
These Ruby Oliver books have truly wormed their way into my dark, judgmental heart. Reading series books all in a row has been a reading goal of mine ever since I got partway into the Wheel of Time books, took a break and couldn't remember anything by the time I came back to it, meaning I would
To a large degree, I do not have a lot to say about these books besides what I've said in my previous reviews, which I do not see a point in repeating ad nauseum. Ruby remains a marvelous character, with ups and downs, but general positive improvement. She grows and changes, but in a slow, natural way. Her whole situation feels so lifelike, and so does she. Her narration remains spot-on, consistently Ruby.
These books have been incredibly consistent in quality and narrative voice. In the previous installment, The Boy Book, I encountered some difficulties with infodumping information about the first book, but Lockhart locked that down here, keeping any needed back story for an unfamiliar reader to Ruby's footnotes. With that small weakness fixed, the writing is perfect and engaging for anyone who appreciates Ruby's way of expressing herself.
One aspect of the series I've as yet neglected to mention is Ruby's feminist viewpoint. She does wonderful things like getting boys to contribute to the bake sale, insisting that the idea that only women should bake is antiquated (true). Of course, Ruby still suffers from our society, struggling with labels like slut, and whether she's a good or bad person because of how she behaves with boys (she's not). I love to imagine Ruby in college and squelching these unhealthy societal attitudes from her mind, and loving herself wholly. Speaking of that, Ruby is not one of these heroines who goes on and on about how ugly she is; nor does she have perfect self-confidence. Basically, she's a normal girl who feels sexy sometimes and like a roly poly leper troll other times.
If you've been enjoying the Ruby Oliver books, The Treasure Map of Boys will not leave you disappointed, but will however leave you wanting more, namely the final book in the series, Real Live Boyfriends. Thankfully, I'm reading this next, because I just have to know what will happen with Ruby, Noel, Meghan and the rest.
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have to start over. Still, I don't follow through on my series-reading plan most of the time, because sometimes you just don't want to begin the next book immediately after closing the one you've just completed. With Ruby Oliver, I want to segue directly into the next one, because I just need to know what will become of these flawed and loveable characters.To a large degree, I do not have a lot to say about these books besides what I've said in my previous reviews, which I do not see a point in repeating ad nauseum. Ruby remains a marvelous character, with ups and downs, but general positive improvement. She grows and changes, but in a slow, natural way. Her whole situation feels so lifelike, and so does she. Her narration remains spot-on, consistently Ruby.
These books have been incredibly consistent in quality and narrative voice. In the previous installment, The Boy Book, I encountered some difficulties with infodumping information about the first book, but Lockhart locked that down here, keeping any needed back story for an unfamiliar reader to Ruby's footnotes. With that small weakness fixed, the writing is perfect and engaging for anyone who appreciates Ruby's way of expressing herself.
One aspect of the series I've as yet neglected to mention is Ruby's feminist viewpoint. She does wonderful things like getting boys to contribute to the bake sale, insisting that the idea that only women should bake is antiquated (true). Of course, Ruby still suffers from our society, struggling with labels like slut, and whether she's a good or bad person because of how she behaves with boys (she's not). I love to imagine Ruby in college and squelching these unhealthy societal attitudes from her mind, and loving herself wholly. Speaking of that, Ruby is not one of these heroines who goes on and on about how ugly she is; nor does she have perfect self-confidence. Basically, she's a normal girl who feels sexy sometimes and like a roly poly leper troll other times.
If you've been enjoying the Ruby Oliver books, The Treasure Map of Boys will not leave you disappointed, but will however leave you wanting more, namely the final book in the series, Real Live Boyfriends. Thankfully, I'm reading this next, because I just have to know what will happen with Ruby, Noel, Meghan and the rest.
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LibraryThing member librarybrandy
This is the first in this series I've picked up, but I may go back and read the others, because I really liked Ruby. This is chick-lit with a really likable narrator, one who is maybe a little on the boy-crazy side but very aware of her foibles.
LibraryThing member IAmChrysanthemum
This is probably my favorite of the Ruby Oliver books because Ruby grows up a lot more. She still has her same problems, but she becomes much better at dealing with them in my opinion which makes her a more sympathetic and dynamic character. Can't wait for the last installment in this series,
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especially with the way Lockhart ends this one. Show Less
LibraryThing member devafagan
I enjoyed this just as much as the first two Ruby books. Same humor, same marvelous voice. I find it impressive that Lockhart can take me so very close to disliking Ruby, and yet provide just enough heart and reality to her character that I can't help but root for her and cheer her progress.
I am
I am
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glad to hear there is a fourth book coming! Show Less
LibraryThing member lilrongal
I can't get enough of Ruby Oliver. I sincerely hope there are more of these coming.
Awards
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 2010)
Original publication date
2009
Physical description
256 p.; 5.55 inches
ISBN
0385734263 / 9780385734264