Cooney, Caroline THE FACE ON THE MILK CARTON
Bibliography:
Cooney, C. B. (1990). The face on the milk carton. New York: Delacorte Press.
Summary:
Janie Johnson is a typical teenager looking forward to getting her driver’s license. Whenever she asks her mother for her birth certificate, she is always given an excuse as to why she can’t get it for her. Although this is curious, it is not as unsettling for Janie as her red hair. No one else in her family has red hair. Where did it come from? And why aren’t there any baby pictures of her? These nagging questions remain just that until one day in the cafeteria she notices a picture of a little girl on the side of a milk carton. She looks familiar, as does the polka dot dress she is wearing. It seems to set in motion memories of twins and other children in a kitchen. Janie didn’t want to believe this could be true so she set about checking things out for herself. She and her best friend skipped school and went to the town where the missing girl was from and found the house she lived in, as red-headed children, including twins, got off the bus after school and went inside. Further research in her home revealed the polka dot dress she remembered wearing as a child, and memories of willingly going with someone who bought her ice cream as a young girl. Janie’s conversation with her parents revealed an interesting story, one in which she was actually her granddaughter, at least they thought. Their own daughter brought this girl to them to care for before going back to the cult she had fallen into. Only Janie did not think this was entirely true. The story ends with a cliffhanger, where you are left to create for yourself the reactions of a family who have mourned their loss for far too long.
Impressions:
This was a quick read, and one which catches any parent right in their heart. I remember seeing pictures on the milk cartons when I was a kid and never thought anything of it, except that it was sad. But as a parent myself now, I can’t imagine losing a child in such a way, or having my child grow up never realizing what their true story is. Although this is a story with a happy ending, at least we are led to believe that, I find myself sad for the lost years and memories that will never be reclaimed.
Reviews:
Alyssa Bresnahan brings to life the character of 15-year-old Janie Johnson, a teenager whose typical angst is compounded when she discovers her picture on a milk carton as a missing child. Searching for the truth behind the kidnapping consumes Janie as she tries to maintain the balance between the craziness of her discovery and the teenage world of school, dates, and friends. Bresnahan deftly portrays each character, creating a unique voice for each. The sense of terror that develops in Janie is exhibited by the rising tension in the narrator's voice. Read equally well is the part of Janie's parents-their voices changing during the course of the story from professional and upbeat to wary and defeated. The progression of the characters complements the piece nicely. While the pace of the recording remains steady, it is slightly too slow and tedious at times to accompany this suspenseful tale. However, this does not outweigh the value of Caroline B. Cooney's excellent story (BDD, 1996) which has been a favorite read for young teenagers, an IRA-CBC Children's Choice Book, and the subject of a television special. The popularity of the book will cause this recording to leap off the shelves.
Freeman, D. B. (1998). The face on the milk carton. School Library Journal, 44(9), 152.
As she stares at the face of a little girl on a milk carton, fifteen-year-old Janie Johnson recognizes herself in pigtails and a white-collared dress. Unable to concentrate on her current life, she gropes for an answer, a personal history, a way back to the lively world she has loved for so many years. This fine book has suspense. It has romance. It has characters so real you will want to check your own family album! Caroline Cooney beckons the reader with fine writing that offers immediate action and an abundance of sharp, accurate descriptions.
Christian, J. A. (1992). Serious business -- The face on the milk carton by Caroline B. Cooney. English Journal, 81(2), 89.
Uses: I would use this book to highlight the mystery genre to students, along with a selection of other books that fit. As a book club, I would also use this book for review and discussion.
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