Oh, and we make each other laugh.
And write each other silly notes.
And go on adventures planned by the Mutual Admiration Society.
And make each other laugh some more.
And that is saying a lot.
acknowledgments
The story about the gay penguins stealing eggs is true. It happened in Polar Land in Harbin in northern China. I combined it with a story about some German gay penguins who were given a rejected egg to raise at the Bremerhaven zoo. The panda porn is real too. I couldn’t make this stuff up.
Elizabeth Kaplan represents me. Beverly Horowitz edits me. I would be lost without both of them. Melissa Sarver handles everything. The people at Random House have been spectacular, in particular but not limited to Kathy Dunn, Jessica Shoffel, Rebecca Gudelis, Chip Gibson, Tracy Lerner, Lisa McClatchy, Meg O’Brien, Wendy Louie, Lisa Nadel and Adrienne Waintraub. Diana Finch does foreign rights. Thank you!
Sarah Mlynowski offered invaluable plot advice and made me cut out the boring bits. My mom gave me ideas for Doctor Z’s therapy. Libba Bray, Maureen Johnson, Scott Westerfeld, Robin Wasserman and Cassandra Clare kept me company. Heather Weston solved a major plot problem. Bob did nothing but support, support, support.
Melissa James Gibson and Zoe Jenkin helped me sort through the college application process. Melissa Clark was Seattle consultant. Mrs. Friday Next gave me the idea for the melodramatic chapter headings. My blog readers, Facebook friends and Twitter followers helped me with Roo’s movie lists, swim team lingo and books for Mr. Wallace to assign. Dennis O’Brian dreamed up a meatloafery and let me steal his idea. Most of all, my family bore with me and encouraged me. Thank you.
about the author
Like Roo, e. lockhart spends her free time searching for excellent cake and making home movies. She is the author of three other books about Ruby Oliver: The Boyfriend List, The Boy Book, and The Treasure Map of Boys. She also wrote Fly on the Wall, Dramarama, and How to Be Bad (the last with Sarah Mlynowski and Lauren Myracle). Her novel The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks was a National Book Award finalist and a Michael L. Printz Honor Book and received a Cybils Award for Best Young Adult Fiction. Visit her at EmilyLockhart.com or check out her blog at TheBoyfriendList.com.
Table of Contents
Cover
Other Books by This Author
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Real Live Boyfriends!
The Insanity of My Parents! And Romance!
Panic Attacks and Rabbit Fever!
The Revelation About Gay Chinese Penguins!
Agony and Love Poems!
Distraction Caused by a Bare Chest!
Humiliation at Snappy Dragon!
Surprise Kissing!
The Waketastic Adventure!
An Agonizing Public Scene! With Violence!
The Wenchery of Cricket and Kim!
Secrets of the Panda Bear!
The Mysterious Disappearance of Kevin!
Shocking Disclosure in the Zoological Gardens!
Emotional Breakdown in the Parking Lot!
A Nighttime Escapade!
A Final List!AcknowledgmentsAbout the Author