In Caroline Cooney’s third Janie novel, Janie Johnson is finally settling back into the life after she learns she was kidnapped as a child. Though she tried living with her birth family, Janie feels more comfortable with the parents who raised her. Just as she is dealing with the end of high school, her boyfriend Reeve is struggling with his new beginning in college. Trying to find his niche on campus, he begins DJing at his college radio station. During a moment of nervous dead air, Reeve begins telling Janie’s life saga and past history as entertainment over the airwaves. As listeners become hooked on the tale, Reeve can’t stop his yearning for self promotion even if his success will hurt the person he loves most.
Cooney’s third installation in the “Janie” series allows readers to gain further insight into Reeve’s character. She focuses the narrative on his insecurities as well as Janie’s constant uncertainties in her own life. Cooney uses her creative ability to focus on one particular character in each chapter of the story. Her skilled writing is dramatic and emotional which will lure the attention of any young adult reader. She separates Reeve’s on-air story with italicized words and by writing in suspenseful, fragmented phrases. Though this is the third book in this series, Cooney makes sure to provide the necessary background in case the reader is unfamiliar with Janie’s story. Junior High School age students will be able to relate to compelling story of these two teenagers.
