The Face on the Milk Carton is a young adult mystery novel written by author Caroline B. Cooney that was first published in 1990.

These suspicions come after Janie recognizes a picture of herself on a milk carton under the heading "Missing Child.

[3] The idea for the novel originated from the regular practice in the 1980s and 1990s for milk cartons to feature photographs of missing children.

After her mother appears reluctant when she asks to see her birth certificate, Janie searches her home's attic for any information that could shed light on her flashbacks.

After finding school papers with the name 'Hannah Javensen' and the dress worn by the girl on the milk carton, Janie confronts her parents.

Despite her relief, Janie struggles to forget the picture on the milk carton and her flashbacks, and begins researching the Jennie Spring kidnapping.

According to an interview with The Atlantic, Cooney's inspiration came to her at LaGuardia Airport, where she saw missing child flyers, including one of a toddler, posted throughout the concourse.

[10] Widespread dissatisfaction with this practice prompted a campaign for law enforcement to pursue all missing children cases more aggressively.

[12] The Face on the Milk Carton was first published in 1990 by Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers.