The Boy Book

THE BOY BOOK by E. Lockhart
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 9/26/06
Publisher: Delacorte
Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"
Rating: 5 Stars

In this sequel to THE BOYFRIEND LIST, we get to catch up on the life of Ruby Oliver, who last year had quite a time living
down the infamous xeroxed list that made its way through her high school. Now in possession of a driver's license, a mission
known as the Hooter Rescue Squad, a former best friend who is spending a semester in Tokyo, a shrink named Doctor Z
who still befuddles her, and a job at the Woodland Park Zoo, Ruby feels like her life just might be getting back on track.
Maybe. Possibly. Sort of.

She's once again working on The Boy Book, a work-in-progress guide to life and boys that she started long ago with Kim
(the once best friend), Cricket (another former friend), and Nora (still a kind of friend). Filled with such facts as "The Care
and Ownership of Boobs," "Levels of Boyfriends," and "Why You Want the Guy You Can't Have," The Boy Book was once
a joint effort. Now, it's simply something that Ruby feels the need to add to as her life gets--if it's even possible--more
complicated.

As she becomes better friends with Noel, she wonders if she's got a crush on him. Or, in fact, does Noel have a crush on
her? And what about Angelo, who is quite a good scammer, but also happens to be the son of her mother's best friend?
Even more importantly, what should she do about Jackson, who was once her boyfriend but is now in love with Kim? Ever
since she saw him hugging on another girl at the zoo, Ruby has been plagued with indecision about whether or not to tell Kim.
After all, Kim was once her best friend, and she deserves to know what her boyfriend is doing while she's studying away in
Japan. On the other hand, they're no longer friends, and Ruby knows that there's a part of her that only wants to hurt Kim the
way she was hurt in the past.

As Ruby deals with the continuing trials and tribulations of high school, crushes, and panic attacks, she comes to the realization
that she just might really be better off without Jackson. And although she misses Kim, she now has new friends who round
out her life and keep it interesting. The Boy Book has served its purpose, and Ruby knows now that nothing in life is constant.
Knowing and understanding that is, after all, what makes girls smarter than boys.

THE BOY BOOK is the perfect follow up to THE BOYFRIEND LIST, and I'm sad to see the end of Ruby Oliver. Unless
Ms. Lockhart plans to let us in on The Girl Book, which would be a major treat.