Common Sense Note
The emotional turmoil continues with a horrible invasion of privacy, and writing that keeps kids zooming forward.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Monica Wyatt
The suspense doesn't let up in this second sequel to Caroline Cooney's gripping The Face on the Milk Carton, the story of how Janie Johnson recognized her own picture as a three-year-old missing child. Janie has returned to live with her Connecticut parents, and her New Jersey family has moved to a spacious new house. Things seem to have settled down, but a new problem is brewing in Boston.
Reeve learns he wants fame so much he'll betray the girl he loves to get it. He doesn't start out with a plan to captivate all of Boston with Janie's private story--he simply blurts it out, and then can't stop. He constantly tells himself he won't do any more "Janies," but he loves the sensation of controlling an audience: "Reeve could feel his listeners. It was an incredible hot sensation. He knew they were there. Glued, hungry, thirsty. He was just as glued. He was hungry and thirsty to hear himself."
Ironically, Reeve's weakness helps Janie find strength in the arms of Mrs. Spring, who has ached to be a mother to her. Janie accepts the burden of keeping her Connecticut parents ignorant of this latest disaster. Realizing she is stronger than they, she finally begins to see herself as a Spring rather than as a Johnson.
Teenagers focus on their own relationships with their peers. This book fascinates young readers weaving their way through the intricacies of love, loyalty, strength, and weakness. They'll be happy to know that Janie's saga continues in the last book in the series, What Janie Found.
Plot Summary:
Janie's boyfriend, Reeve, now living at college, wants to be a radio DJ. Given his chance and desperate for something to say, he begins to tell Janie's story to all of Boston. Reeve becomes a huge hit until Janie visits Boston and tunes in. This third book in the series continues suspense and page-turning excitement.
Rate It!
| Content | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS | adults | kids | ||
Sexual Content |
 |
|
|
|
ViolenceThe main character continues to deal with belonging to two families, and also with the treachery of her boyfriend. |
 |
|
|
|
Language |
|
|
|
|
Message |
|
|
|
|
Social BehaviorThe main character's boyfriend broadcasts her private pain over the radio for his own personal gain. |
 |
|
 |
|
Commercialism |
|
|
|
|
Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco |
|
|
|
|
