 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Face on the Milk Carton
- By Caroline B. Cooney
- Genre: Family Life
Common Sense Media says
A gripping, emotionally complex page-turner.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this gripping page-turner is likely to inspire serious thinking about the importance of families.
What's the story?
What if the face on the milk carton was your own? When fifteen-year-old Janie Johnson sees her own picture on a carton of milk, she wonders whether her loving parents are actually kidnappers. If she admits what she knows, will she lose them? This roller coaster of suspense leaves readers eager for its sequel.
Is it any good?
Janie Johnson confronts the abrupt truth that she doesn't know who she really is -- she doesn't even know her real name. Even worse, she has no idea who her parents are -- neither the parents she knows, who may be kidnappers, nor the parents who lost her. And her friendship with Reeve has moved into sexual awareness. Author Caroline Cooney faces these problems honestly and openly.
Teenagers appreciate that honesty. They seem drawn to this book for the intriguing story, and because they recognize the characters as real teenagers like themselves. They instantly become caught up in a good mystery, but they also begin to think about the importance and complexity of family relationships. Janie's dilemma reflects their own uncertainty about life.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about identity and family relationships. The milk carton forces Janie to question everything she thinks she knows about her life. Have you ever learned something surprising about an adult that caused you to see them in a new light?
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AGE
Could have been a great book, but two major flaws
I'd love to give this book more stars, but there are two problems with it.
1 - The "almost-sex" scenes and references are unrealistic. The relationship between Janey and Reeve is sweet and based on friendship - that's great. But the way they consider having sex is much too casual. I listened to this book on CD with my daughters (aged 10 & 11) and to hear that Janey thought she would have sex with Reeve if they were at a better motel was shocking and frankly, not believable. I stopped the CD and talked to my girls about how I thought the author made a mistake there. I may be old fashioned, but I still don't think that girls like Janey go from a sweet kiss in a pile of autumn leaves to considering sex without a bit more relationship development in between.
2 - Books should be complete on their own, even if they are part of a larger series. It's one thing to end with a few questions, but to end with a total cliff-hanger isn't fair. We, the readers, may learn the truth, but we aren't shown how the characters react when they learn the truth. And that's the most important part of the book. So, this book ended without resolution... and that makes me mad.
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AGE
I have wanted to read this book for ages, and I finally got around to it. It is very good, and once you start reading is hard to put down. Just reading the back cover makes you wonder "Whatever happened to Janie?" and boy, do you find out. I would not reccomend this book for younger kids, not really for mature content, but it's just a higher reading level and they may not be able to enjoy the book as well because they can't connect to the high emotion level. alot of this book's propulsion is the emotion and mood of the characters, and if you can't understand that, the book's appeal is lowered. Over all i reccomend this bokk to kids 13-17 if your looking for something that you just can't put down.
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AGE
A great book to discuss with your child.
This is an excellent book for parents or teachers to read aloud to 10 - 11 year olds as well. They can leave out the kissing scenes and thoughts of boy-girl relationships. I highly recommend it.
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AGE
Great! just not for anyone younger than 12....
This book was amazing! But not good for a anyone under the age of 11 or 12, unless they are mature. it is a good book for teens though!
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AGE
I loved this book and couldn't put it down. My amazing language arts teacher gave it to me and this is a great book for emotionally mature or gifted kids the age of 8 or so who can't find a book their level that doesn't have content that they are not allowed to read
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AGE
Loved It!
I loved it alot! It was one of the best books Iv'e read!
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Kid, 12 years old
December 25, 2010
AGE
If a tween a more mature tween....
I recently read it not knowing that it would be a little inappropriate since I got it from a used book store cause I was in need for a book. Anyways, it was a good suspenseful book but it got a little edgy when her and her boyfriend started talking about sex though they didn't go to far with it (and they didn't have it), so I wouldn't be TOO concerned about it. If you let you kids have read eclipse (twilight) then they'd probably be okay with this. Also if you read this as a tween then I would recommend it for a more mature tween. Over all I really enjoyed this book!!!
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AGE
:)
its a really good book it has a little sexual contient but not enough to do anything i think kids 13 and up would really enjoy it!!!!! :)
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AGE
Not appropriate for the conservative reader!
The book may be fine for a high school student, as it is a 1993 Young Reader's Choice Award winner for grades 9th thru 12th. The readibility age of a book does not automatically mean that the content is age appropriate. Teachers and parents need to be more responsible in choosing literature for their students/children to read.To hear another 11 year old say that it's a great read concerns me and I would hope to think that she did not understand yet about some of the things she was reading. I felt uncomfortable and wished I didn't have to read it.
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AGE
Young teens, not tweens, teens.
Definitly, a page turner. I loved this book Janie and her boyfriend go in the motel planning to have sex, but don't. Definitly, for early teens at the least not for young readers. I loved the book.
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| Author: | Caroline B. Cooney |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Family Life |
| Publisher: | Laurel-Leaf |
| Publication date: | January 1, 1991 |
| Number of pages: | 184 |
| Paperback price: | $5.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 14 |
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