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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
So nostalgic. I found my signed copy of this in my old room at my parents' house and just had to read it. This really isn't a bad young adult book. It hasn't aged too badly, though I don't know if children still show up on milk cartons. I remember really liking the romance between Janie and Reeve--my eleven year old heart thought all the mentions of sex were quite scandalous. As for the plot, I feel Cooney is at her best when she's describing how Janie is being haunted by having realized what happened to her. Now I totally have to read the sequels.
I like the style--it feels disconnected in the beginning, but as you go, the disjointedness is more successful, and the prose is clean and tight. Janie's obsession with her own potential kidnapping is well-developed and I loved, loved Reeve and the relationship they had. How it was affected by Janie's worries was equally believable.
Straight out of my young fears, what if your parents aren't really your parents?
The story is actually so good. The style feels old and clunky. I felt like I was reading underwater.
I don't know if I'll read on, but I'm sure that I will not do it soon if I chose to read on.
The story is actually so good. The style feels old and clunky. I felt like I was reading underwater.
I don't know if I'll read on, but I'm sure that I will not do it soon if I chose to read on.
Chrissi and I always enjoy picking our Kid Lit list for the year ahead, we're usually super organised and do it about November time, picking six books each so that we both get a chance to read things we're excited about/things that bring back happy memories. Caroline B. Cooney is one of those authors for both of us. Although we've never read The Face On The Milk Carton before, we have wonderful memories about the author mainly connected with her Point Horror books, of which we've read a few, namely Freeze Tag, The Cheerleader and The Perfume. We were OBSESSED with Point Horror as young teenagers and as we lived in a British army base in Germany for the majority of the time, they were quite hard to get hold of. Back in those days there was no Amazon (haha!) and we lived out in the country with a shopping centre about 40 minutes drive away which had a very limited supply of books and a small school library. This is just one of the very many reasons why we appreciate the easy availability of books nowadays!
Sadly, I found myself slightly disappointed by The Face On The Milk Carton. I don't know what it was, perhaps it's an age thing and her young adult fiction doesn't read as well when I'm a grown adult? Maybe. Or perhaps it's her Point Horror alone that gives me that warm, nostalgic feeling? Who knows. It follows a teenage girl called Janie Johnson who looks at a milk carton one day at school on lunch break with her friends and recognises her own childhood face on the carton. Her life is instantly set into turmoil as she assumes that she must have been kidnapped from her "birth parents," who are still desperately looking for her. The trouble is, Janie can't remember anything and has a strong, loving relationship with her "current" parents who are mostly all she can remember. As Janie begins to investigate the picture on the milk carton she begins to realise a few foggy memories of a strange kitchen, other children and an ice cream parlour. Has she really been kidnapped? Why? Piece by piece, the clues start to come together in the most unexpected way.
Let me just start by saying that if I read this book as a young teenager, I would probably absolutely love it. It is purely reading it as an adult and rolling my eyes at the dramatics of teenage angst that is the problem here, I promise! The premise for the novel is brilliant, suddenly finding out as a teenager your parents aren't who you expected them to be? There's definitely be dark points of my adolescence where I've ashamedly wished for a different parent or wondered if I was adopted but luckily these were only fleeting as I happen to have (in my opinion of course!) the world's most wonderful mother!
So yes, initially I was quite gripped by the mystery behind Janie's parentage and was keen to find out what was going on as the narrative continued. Unfortunately it just didn't really continue the way I had pictured it in my head. It's obviously a horrific thing to find out as a teenager and I really felt for Janie as she discovered her perfect parents might not be so perfect after all but there was so much drama. It became positively melodramatic as she wanted to find out what was going on, came close to confronting the situation then backed off and decided to stick with what she knew i.e. the parents that had raised her. Fair enough, you might think, that's a normal response, right? But this happened over and over again and just became too repetitive for me. I feel like the author could have used her time better by delving deeper into the emotions that Janie was experiencing but it just seemed to be either one level or the other - the extreme reaction then just....nothing!
Saying that, I would recommend this book for young adults with a note for parents that there is a bit of tame sexual content so perhaps not suitable for very young children. It's an interesting little mystery with relatable characters and a plot that could definitely be a conversation starter between friends and family.
For my full review and many more, please visit my blog at http://www.bibliobeth.com
Sadly, I found myself slightly disappointed by The Face On The Milk Carton. I don't know what it was, perhaps it's an age thing and her young adult fiction doesn't read as well when I'm a grown adult? Maybe. Or perhaps it's her Point Horror alone that gives me that warm, nostalgic feeling? Who knows. It follows a teenage girl called Janie Johnson who looks at a milk carton one day at school on lunch break with her friends and recognises her own childhood face on the carton. Her life is instantly set into turmoil as she assumes that she must have been kidnapped from her "birth parents," who are still desperately looking for her. The trouble is, Janie can't remember anything and has a strong, loving relationship with her "current" parents who are mostly all she can remember. As Janie begins to investigate the picture on the milk carton she begins to realise a few foggy memories of a strange kitchen, other children and an ice cream parlour. Has she really been kidnapped? Why? Piece by piece, the clues start to come together in the most unexpected way.
Let me just start by saying that if I read this book as a young teenager, I would probably absolutely love it. It is purely reading it as an adult and rolling my eyes at the dramatics of teenage angst that is the problem here, I promise! The premise for the novel is brilliant, suddenly finding out as a teenager your parents aren't who you expected them to be? There's definitely be dark points of my adolescence where I've ashamedly wished for a different parent or wondered if I was adopted but luckily these were only fleeting as I happen to have (in my opinion of course!) the world's most wonderful mother!
So yes, initially I was quite gripped by the mystery behind Janie's parentage and was keen to find out what was going on as the narrative continued. Unfortunately it just didn't really continue the way I had pictured it in my head. It's obviously a horrific thing to find out as a teenager and I really felt for Janie as she discovered her perfect parents might not be so perfect after all but there was so much drama. It became positively melodramatic as she wanted to find out what was going on, came close to confronting the situation then backed off and decided to stick with what she knew i.e. the parents that had raised her. Fair enough, you might think, that's a normal response, right? But this happened over and over again and just became too repetitive for me. I feel like the author could have used her time better by delving deeper into the emotions that Janie was experiencing but it just seemed to be either one level or the other - the extreme reaction then just....nothing!
Saying that, I would recommend this book for young adults with a note for parents that there is a bit of tame sexual content so perhaps not suitable for very young children. It's an interesting little mystery with relatable characters and a plot that could definitely be a conversation starter between friends and family.
For my full review and many more, please visit my blog at http://www.bibliobeth.com
After picking up Book 2 of this series I HAD to reread this. I recall being profoundly affected by this book, and experienced very similar results again this time, many years later.
I am sure that a lot of teens think/wish that they belong wo another family at some time or another -- one with a mom they can bond with more easily, with a dad who understands them and does not embarass them, one with terrific, easygoing siblings. These fantasies are often carried out when in trouble or fighting with a family member, however they are short-lived and forgotten. Not so for Janie, whose entire world changes when she picks up her friends' milk carton one day at lunch.
This leads to an exploration of both herself and her family, and everything that she has ever known. Janie realizes how much she truly loves her parents and her friends. She easily believes what they say, because that is what her heart wants to believe. Her head, and her ever growing memories, however do not allow for that.
Cooney has created and extremely strong and likable heroine, who is supported by fantastic characters. She has set her story in "everyday" time, an environment that is easily recognized, understood, and easy to relate to.
Janie struggles with her identity, her sense of belonging, her love for those around her, and her strong sense of doing what is right. While she tries to dismiss the face on the milk carton she knows that she cannot, whatever the results may be.
Cooney takes you along on this struggle, providing some emotional relief through interactions with friends and normal teenage issues. She addresses an incredibly difficult concept, and puts human emotions into it. Fantastic job! I will definitely seek out the remaing books in this series - and will keep this on my shelf for years to come. I have recommended it to many students in the past, and will continue to do so.
I am sure that a lot of teens think/wish that they belong wo another family at some time or another -- one with a mom they can bond with more easily, with a dad who understands them and does not embarass them, one with terrific, easygoing siblings. These fantasies are often carried out when in trouble or fighting with a family member, however they are short-lived and forgotten. Not so for Janie, whose entire world changes when she picks up her friends' milk carton one day at lunch.
This leads to an exploration of both herself and her family, and everything that she has ever known. Janie realizes how much she truly loves her parents and her friends. She easily believes what they say, because that is what her heart wants to believe. Her head, and her ever growing memories, however do not allow for that.
Cooney has created and extremely strong and likable heroine, who is supported by fantastic characters. She has set her story in "everyday" time, an environment that is easily recognized, understood, and easy to relate to.
Janie struggles with her identity, her sense of belonging, her love for those around her, and her strong sense of doing what is right. While she tries to dismiss the face on the milk carton she knows that she cannot, whatever the results may be.
Cooney takes you along on this struggle, providing some emotional relief through interactions with friends and normal teenage issues. She addresses an incredibly difficult concept, and puts human emotions into it. Fantastic job! I will definitely seek out the remaing books in this series - and will keep this on my shelf for years to come. I have recommended it to many students in the past, and will continue to do so.
8️⃣5️⃣ The Face On The Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fun story. Kind of stressful and frustrating at times but I'm sure being in that situation like the main character, I'd be flip floppy too.
I have really liked other Caroline B. Cooney books, like Code Orange, but this one is not worth reading. The premise sounds good. A girl figures out that she was kidnapped as a three year old. Sounds interesting, but it is confusing and not finished. If you want to read the story just skip this one and read the next book in the series Whatever Happened to Jane.
Whatever Happened to Jane is still teen fiction and not the best book by Cooney, but it is definately a better use of your time.
Whatever Happened to Jane is still teen fiction and not the best book by Cooney, but it is definately a better use of your time.
I remember reading this book as a child, as also watching the made for TV movie. I re-read this book recently so I could read the entire series together.
I can't imagine how terrifying and confusing it would be to see your picture on a milk carton as a teenager. Caroline Cooney does a great job of drawing you into the story and keep you wondering what decision Janie will choose.
This is a great book for young adults and teens!
I can't imagine how terrifying and confusing it would be to see your picture on a milk carton as a teenager. Caroline Cooney does a great job of drawing you into the story and keep you wondering what decision Janie will choose.
This is a great book for young adults and teens!
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes