THE TREASURE MAP OF BOYS Noel, Jackson, Finn, Hutch, Gideon—and me, Ruby Oliver

Don't let the title fool you—this story is told from a girl's perspective. Sixteen-year-old Ruby Oliver is trying to find her way to understanding a bit more about herself and about friendship through the help of her psychologist. As friends and boyfriends come and go, narrator Kirsten Potter mostly has to concentrate on Ruby, whose thoughts and asides fill a virtual journal of feelings, emotions, and attempts to understand her life. Potter does a decent job with the host of supporting characters, mostly by slowing and deepening her voice. Ruby's psychologist takes on a methodical way of talking; the voice of one of her friends also is slowed and more pronounced. Ruby winds up taking an honest look at herself and friendship in this coming-of-age novel. M.B. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2009]