Real Live Boyfriends

November 1, 2010

The chronicle of the irrepressible Ruby Oliver continues in this fourth installment of her coming-of-age struggles. During the summer before and beginning of her senior year, Ruby makes a documentary film that explores her friends' definitions of love and popularity. She also gets in a family-rending fight with her mom over her bizarre eating habits, argues with her infinitely patient therapist Doctor Z about whether it is better to flush or confront negativity, navigates the rough waters of her grandmother's funeral and seriously questions her connection to emo boyfriend Noel, who has sunk into an inexplicable funk. While Ruby tries to get Noel to open up, her head is turned by hunky former crush Gideon. Who will end up being her real, live boyfriend? And will Ruby ever really understand the meaning of true love? While fans will enthusiastically embrace this hilarious novel, narrated in Ruby's perfectly executed teenspeak and littered with her manic lists, newcomers will easily be able to join the angst-fest without having read Ruby's earlier adventures. Like, really recommended. (Fiction. 12 & up)

(COPYRIGHT (2010) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

May 1, 2011

Gr 9 Up-This book is the latest installment in the saga that is Ruby Oliver's life. All the 17-year-old wants is a "real live boyfriend," whom she finds in Noel. Things are going great-he is everything she wants-until he starts ignoring Ruby and acting oddly around her. They break up after causing a colossal scene in class and Ruby begins hanging out with Gideon, the older brother of her ex best friend, Nora. Meanwhile, Ruby's father is too depressed over the death of his mother to get off the couch and her mother has taken a vacation with a friend. It wouldn't be a story about Ruby if there weren't a ton of drama involved. Writing in the same fast-paced narrative that fans have come to expect, Lockhart has done it again. Fans of neurotic Ruby Oliver are going to love reading about her latest trials and tribulations. And while it isn't necessary to be familiar with the previous books, newcomers may find themselves yearning for a little more Ruby in their lives.-Robyn Zaneski, New York Public Library

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2010
Grades 9-12 Everyones favorite neurotic, prone-to-panic high-school student is back. As always, there is a lot going on in Ruby Olivers life, and she is trying to sort it all out. It is senior year, and although she should be concentrating on college applications, Ruby cannot get love out of her mind. First her parents are having problems, and now Noel isnt acting like a very good boyfriend anymore. Then there is Gideon, the brother of her ex-best friend, who is acting like boyfriend material. Whats a girl to do? Make a documentary, of course. Fans of the series will clamor for Rubys latest adventure.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)