Have you ever looked at the back of a milk carton to see who has been reported missing lately? One day at school Janie Johnson looks at her friend's milk carton and is surprised to recognize the little girl on the back; it is her. She has had a few daymares about a woman talking, laughing, or just sitting with her. In each one, she sees herself wearing a polka-dot blue dress. It's the same dress the girl on the carton is wearing! Janie is 15 now, and according to the carton, she was three when she was kidnapped. Wouldn't she remember it?

I loved The Face on the Milk Carton because of all the details, exciting plot, and well-developed characters. Janie and Reeve, who are neighbors, fall in love. Reeve is a few years older, very popular, and not nearly as smart as his brothers and sisters. Janie, a good student, doesn't spend much time with her dad since he gets home late after coaching soccer. Janie takes art class once a week with her mom because her mom thinks they share artistic talent.

Since Janie has a good relationship with her parents, she is very confused. How could these loving people have kidnapped her? Nevertheless, she starts asking questions about her birth certificate and passport.

Caroline Cooney has a special talent for describing details. I like that she wrote how someone complained that Janie's bright red hair got in their face, instead of just telling readers that she has red hair.

Who are Janie's parents? How old is she? Whom should she believe? Who is she really? Find out in The Face on the Milk Carton. I give it five stars. You can find out more about Janie and her search in What Ever Happened to Janie?, The Voice on the Radio, and What Janie Found.