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The Treasure Map of Boys (by E. Lockhart)

common sense media says

Ruby Oliver continues to figure it out in fun sequel.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Ruby is an authentic character, and as such is obsessed with boys, uses words like "slut" and "hooters," and goes to Starbucks. In one scene, she has a pretty serious kissing session in a unoccupied school classroom.

Educational value: Teens who enjoy this book may want to check out the first two books in the series, or other books by E. Lockhart, such as The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks. See our "Families Can Talk About" section for some ideas for discussing this book.
Positive messages: Will make teens think about high school relationships, and why it's important to think about something more than romance. Also, teens can think about how boys and girls get different reputations based on their sexual experiences.
Positive role models: Ruby is a real teen girl. She makes mistakes, but in the end figures out what is important.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Ruby describes herself as a "crazy leg-wrapping slut" after making out with Noel. She also talks about how her best friend had sex with her older boyfriend when she was a sophomore.  
Language: Lots of talk of "hooters" and "sluts" and stuff like a girl who "licks her lips like a porn star."
Consumerism: Some brands like Starbucks, Nordstrom, M&Ms, Birkenstocks.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on The Treasure Map of Boys

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about reading a series. This is the third book in a series that also includes The Boyfriend List and The Boy List. Do you like following a character through many adventures? What do you think would be fun about writing one -- or hard? Why would publishers be interested in printing them?
  • Ruby has a reputation for being a "slut" at school, though all she has ever done is kissed boys. The boys who kiss her don't seem to be tarnished in the same way -- even the former boyfriend who broke her heart by hooking up with her best friend. Does this seem realistic to you? Does it seem fair?

What's the story?

What's the story?
This is the third installment in the Ruby Oliver series, and the neurotic, funny narrator is still suffering from panic-attacks -- and obsessing over the same boys (even her ex, Jackson, who cheated on her with her former best friend). This book begins in the winter of Ruby's junior year as she plans a fundraising bake sale focused on "deliciousness,"  gets fired from her job at the zoo for trying to protect animals, and gets caught kissing the boy her friend has a crush on. Ultimately, through lots of trial and introspections, she discovers that the treasure map that her therapist asks her to draw about "something you want for yourself in life" should include something more than boys. 

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Ruby can be grating at times, but she is such a funny and believable character that readers will forgive her for being a bit self-centered. Teens new to the series will certainly fall in love with her, and empathize with her through her many scrapes. Fans won't find a whole lot new here -- even the boys she's obsessing over are the same as in previous installments -- but they will appreciate that Ruby is as honest, insightful, (and neurotic) as ever. 

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: E. Lockhart
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication date: June 28, 2009
Number of pages: 256
Hardcover price: $18.99
Read Aloud: 14
Read Alone: 14
This review was written by Kate Pavao
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

summerluver
teen, 16 years old
14
 
great book but may not be for all ages
I think that this should be for 14 and up because some stuff is innapropriout(sorry can't spell that word) for kids under that age. Like for instance she calls herself and her former friends sluts, but the book has a very good message. It is about a girl who has lost her friends, but is struggling to survive in her school's universe. I highly recommend this bokk, but remember that this is the third of the series. The first book is Th Boyfriend List and the second is The Boy Book. The author is E. Lockhart. Hope this helped!! (:
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murdermygymsox
teen, 17 years old
14
 
An amazing book for girls between 13 and 17!
AMAZING book. I'm 15 (read this book when I was 14) and I couldn't put it down. These are my favorite books of all time and I have read them many times. My only concern as a teenager was that the characters made stupid mistakes (hence the negative role models) but in the end they realized that what they did was wrong, whatever it was that they did. I wouldn't say there's "sexual" behavior but there is definitely some material about inappropriate acts, although they are not in great detail. Overall, a book that your kids will enjoy -- take it from me, I am one!
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lilvanny96
teen, 16 years old
12
 
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EMMSEEEBAAYBE
teen, 15 years old
14
 
Goood Read
I love this book, soo good. but i don't recommend it to minors.. hahaha.
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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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