The Boy Book: A Study of Habits and Behaviors, Plus Techniques for Taming Them

THE BOY BOOK E. LOCKHART Contemporary YA Delacorte Press Rating: 5 Enchantments Life hasn't gotten any easier for Ruby Oliver. In fact, its getting even more confusing. Sure, she really has no friends after what happened between them at the end of the school year; she and Jackson are definitely over (aren't they?) and the only person she kept in contact with over the summer is Noel, but who knows if their friendship is real or he's just being nice to her for the sake of being nice. The only thing Ruby knows is life is getting complicated and all she's got left of her friendships is THE BOY BOOK, the book she and her friends have written in for years. Its just too bad it doesn't tell her how to get them all back. THE BOY BOOK is hands down one of my favorite reads of the year. I really enjoyed Ruby. She's a really fun character and I loved the scenes with her and her therapist Dr Z. So much of this book had me laughing out loud and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. From her footnotes which were hilarious at times, to her trying to figure out how to deal with the fact her ex is sending her notes again, all the while his girlfriend and her former BFF is in Japan...well things couldn't get worse could they? But unfortunately for Ruby they do. Between juggling guys, trying to renew friendships with at least one of her former friends and dealing with her wacky parents and her appointments with Dr. Z, Ruby struggles with a lot and the result is quite amusing and a total keeper of a book. I can't wait to read more about Ruby and co. She's definitely become one of my favorite YA characters. Hope the next two books come out soon! E. Lockhart is the author of two books about Ruby Oliver -- The Boyfriend List and The Boy Book -- plus two more coming soon. Other books: Fly on the Wall, Dramarama, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks and How to Be Bad. You can visit her online at her brand new website: [...] Lisa Enchanting Reviews October 2008

E. Lockhart's THE BOY BOOK: A STUDY OF HABITS NAD BEHAVIORS, PLUS TECHNIQUES FOR TAMING THEM tells of Seattle teen Ruby Oliver, who appeared in the prior THE BOYFRIEND LIST: this time Ruby's junior year marks the past loss of best friends, her boyfriend, and new friendships. Ruby has a job and a new driver's license: neither of which seem to be helping her decipher her boyfriend's psyches in this funny analysis of boy problems.

E. Lockhart's "The Boy Book: A Study of Habits and Behaviors, Plus Techniques for Taming Them)" is fun, fun, fun. Ruby Oliver starts her junior year in disgrace. Once one of a foursome of girls, kissing the boyfriend of the alpha member of the group cost her her friends. It doesn't matter that the boyfriend was formerly Ruby's own boyfriend--the girls had a code and wrote it down in their "Boy Book," a collection of lists and instructions on how to deal with the male species. Ruby's also seeing a shrink, after experiencing a series of panic attacks following her very public fall from grace. Ruby's delightfully hippie parents suspect she may be a lesbian. And, Ruby is still pining after the boy (Jackson) who caused the angst in the first place. Lockhart has really captured the voice of your intelligent, insecure sixteen year old. Ruby is fabulous narrator, fond of lists and a footnote or two. She talks too much, is a bit of a busybody, and doesn't, frankly, understand her own motivations. At least at the beginning of the book. By the end, however, and with the help of Dr. Z, new friends, old friends, and, yes, even her parents, Ruby has grown up enough to give the "Boy Book" away: "Nancy Drews That is, things I am good at* 1. The backstroke. Not great, but decent and getting better. 2. Talking. I'm like my mom that way. 3. Making lists. I really could medal in this one. 4. Movies. Remembering trivia and being able to say semi-intelligent stuff about cinema when called upon to do so. 5. Getting animals to like me. And not being afraid of them. ... ---------------------------------- * A homework assignment from Doctor Z, which she shrinkily calls a list of affirmations, but which I prefer to term Nancy Drews, because Nancy Drew, girl detective, was good at everything, even horseback riding and water ballet, though there was no evidence she had ever practiced or even heard of either one until she miraculously turned out to be expert at them." Hah! That's just what I thought of Nancy Drew. Ruby Oliver finds some of herself over the course of "The Boy Book" and more. She learns how to be a better friend, that there's always two sides to the story, and that being yourself isn't such a bad thing. "The Boy Book" is highly recommended for teens ages 14 and up. It's funny, sweet, and so very true.

know I love a book when, an hour after I've finished reading it...and when I should be fast asleep in bed...I'm thinking of ways the character could possibly get together with that guy. "What if..." I keep saying. Then I have to remind myself, "Hey, it's a fictional character, for heaven's sake! Get some sleep!" Yeah, I just love Ruby Oliver. E. Lockhart's heroine reads like a real person, with all the crazy, mixed-up feelings that a normal teen has. Even though Ruby herself doesn't think she's all that normal, I think she is. Hmmmm, or maybe that says something about me. At any rate, Ruby is back and this is her junior year after the fiasco of her sophomore year when she lost all her friends, her boyfriend, and her reputation. She's ready for her life to settle down. She's ready for that big red "Don't Panic" button to show up. Of course, she's still beset with boy issues. There's Noel, who she can't quite decide if she likes "that" way or not (and his mixed signals aren't helping). Then there's Angelo, someone she's known for years...and has just started "scamming" with (i.e. making out with while not officially going out). And the infamous Jackson, her former boyfriend, who's mysteriously sending her notes again while her former best-friend Kim (his current girlfriend) is away in Tokyo. As she slowly makes up with Nora (one of the lost friends), further cements her new friendship with Meghan, and develops a confusing quasi-relationship/friendship with Noel, Ruby starts to get comfortable. When things seem to be conspiring against her and she feels like she might lose all that she's gained back, what will she do? Is it time to cut and run or take a stand? Yes, she's neurotic. But, oh, that's why I like her so much. I recommend reading the first Ruby Oliver book before this one (The Boyfriend List), though you can enjoy this one without it. You'll just enjoy it more if you have all the background info. Recommended for readers aged 12 and up, though some parents might prefer 14 and up due to a bit of "boob" action (Sorry, that's just what it is. What else could you call it?). --Kimberly Pauley, [...]

E. Lockhart is the best. Her books always make me laugh. The Boy Book did not disappoint. Great book for teens. A+ Can't wait for a next one!