The Face on the Milk Carton

About this book

A psychological thriller about a teenager who sees her own face staring back at her from a missing children's notice on the back of a milk carton. An emotionally evocative and chilling read that seamlessly blends mystery and suspense for fans of A GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO MURDER and WE WERE LIARS. “It's a gripper. You can't put it down.” —Entertainment Weekly "A real page-turner." —Kirkus Reviews No one ever really paid close attention to the faces of the missing children on the milk cartons. But as Janie Johnson glanced at the face of the ordinary little girl with her hair in tight pigtails, wearing a dress with a narrow white collar—a three-year-old who had been kidnapped twelve years before from a shopping mall in New Jersey—she felt overcome with shock. She recognized that little girl—it w

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Why widely assigned

This Children's title, typically at grades 9–12. Written in the 2000s; cited across 1 curriculum framework.

Where this book is assigned

• Young Reader's Choice Award (PNLA)

  • recommended·9th gradesource: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award winners (1940-2022), via Wikipedia — 1993 Winner
  • recommended·10th gradesource: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award winners (1940-2022), via Wikipedia — 1993 Winner
  • recommended·11th gradesource: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award winners (1940-2022), via Wikipedia — 1993 Winner
  • recommended·12th gradesource: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award winners (1940-2022), via Wikipedia — 1993 Winner

Common questions

What grade level is The Face on the Milk Carton?

The Face on the Milk Carton is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 9–12. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.

How long does it take to read The Face on the Milk Carton?

It takes about 3h 50m to read The Face on the Milk Carton (210 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 230 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.

What curricula assign The Face on the Milk Carton?

The Face on the Milk Carton appears on reading lists for Young Reader's Choice Award (PNLA). Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.

Is The Face on the Milk Carton banned in schools?

The Face on the Milk Carton does not appear in PEN America's Index of School Book Bans 2022-2024. No documented multi-district removals on record, but individual districts may challenge titles locally.