Adoption Books

The three Baudelaire orphans are clearly facing a horrific experience in the second entry of this side-splitting saga; however, you can read this book without having read any of the others in the series. It stands on its own.

This title was actually my introduction to the Lemony Snicket series about the Baudelaire orphans -- I got it from a Goodwill Store for a dime. I began reading it in a hospital waiting room (a pal was struggling through a stress test there) and I soon had every soul in the room roaring with laughter as I related what was going on in this bizarre tale. The nurses wanted me to come back every day and read to their client families from the "A Series of Unfortunate Events" saga, of which this is but one entry. If you wanted to start at the beginning, this is the first book: A Series of Unfortunate Events #1: The Bad Beginning: Or, Orphans!.

It's tough to believe that this story was actually written for any other people than adults. Kids might read it wide-eyed but, for adults, the tale takes on an entirely different ambiance.

The story is that the Baudelaire orphans (to whom all bad things happen) have been taken to a new foster parent, Dr. Montgomery Montgomery, a wacky herpetologist. They are transported to the site by Mr. Poe, their sickly fiduciary guardian and dedicated watchdog over the orphans' inheritance (which is considerable.)

The evil Count Olaf, of whom they have just recently managed to rid themselves, is out again to steal the orphans' money. Dr. Montgomery wants to take the kids for an expedition to Peru to trap snakes which is fine with the orphans as well as with Mr. Poe. Dr. Mongomery's assistant suddenly leaves so the doctor is forced into a quick hire of another assistant. And who does it turn out to be? A crudely-disguised Count Olaf!!! Things go downhill for the orphans (and for Dr. Montgomery) from there.

I read three books per week, everything from "War and Peace" to "The Trolley Car Family" and this series falls into my top five percent of all-time personal favorites. You can read the entire story over the course of a single evening (191 pages in the "Scholastic" edition) and I highly recommend that you do so if you're up for a great laugh.

Wherein Uncle Monty is dispatched by the wicked Stephano, an Italian man, and more unfortunate events happen in the lives of the unfortunate Baudelaire children.

Followed by: The Wide Window (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 3)

This is a delightful sequel to the original book that carries the poor little Baudelaires to a very different setting than before, with another bizarre relative who happens to be much more caring and loving than Count Olaf.

While this book does not yet reveal the series' main plot, it's a fantastic, imaginative, and strangely touching story all by itself with Lemony Snicket's biting word play and matter-of-fact writing that sets a surprising mood all by itself.

People, these books are deeper than they appear, and the author is amazing at getting to the heart and soul of a story in so few words.

My favorite book is the Reptile Room.
The author is lemony Snicker. The theme is good and bad. My favorite charter is sunny. This Is why I like this I charter. Sunny meets the incredibly deadly viper, and the snake bites sunny on the chin. Sunny bites the snake back! The incredibly deadly viper is not deadly so sunny and the snake became friends.
The author writes something bad and makes it funny. When something sad happens it's not just sad.
Why I love this book- there are one page that has 198 ever. The snake is longer then all of the three kids put together. The three kids try to find a place to live but everywhere they go their relatives die. They have to find a place where count Olaf can not find them.

Now that we know the children of the series, things get even better - or more comfortable, I should say. The children are given to the care of a kind uncle, who is a snake specialist. He has a huge room for his reptiles, and he and the children spend much of their time there getting ready for their upcoming trip to Peru, where their uncle is taking them for his studies. Remember, the title does not contain "fortunate events" but "UNfortunate" ones, and things do not go well at all. Their uncle is, well, let's just say he never makes that trip to Peru. The children encounter some old acquaintances and must figure out a way to save themselves before it is too late. Wonderfully written, amusing when it can be, exciting, and a total joy from beginning to end. It is best to read #1 ("A Bad Beginning") first. Adults, don't let that age group 9-12 fool you. It's fun for us, too.

It is the most heart warming tale of an orphan girl who come to live with a single woman and her brother. She has to earn the woman's love but her brother loved Anne from the start. The girl with red hair and a personality to go with gets in all kind of mischievousness with her friend. When she grows up she wants everything to stay the same and learn the hard way that that is impossible. This is a truly awesome book and you should let all your daughters read it. A must have in your library...
Anna del C.
Author of "The Silent Warrior Trilogy"
http://www.annadelc.com
The Elf and The Princess: The Silent Warrior Trilogy - Book One
Trouble in the Elf City: The Silent Warrior Trilogy - Book Two

My daughters and I really enjoyed listening to this classic literature in long car rides. The story combined with the enchanting music made it all the more endearing.

What girlhood is complete without the charming adventures of one of literature's most spritely heroines, Anne [with an e] Shirley? I've read this book time and time again since I was a child, and I still cannot get over just how much character and heart can be splashed into a single novel.

In the lovely world of a Victorian Canada the Cuthberts, an elderly brother and sister, decided to adopt a boy to help with farm work. However, there is a mistake and instead the awkward, idealistic Anne winds up in their home. She's an orphan who lives romantic dreams and is not afraid to speak her mind. She sounds irritating, but she is a fantastic, well-rounded character, as is everyone else. Anne quickly makes a name and a place for herself in her new home as she grows up through all the usual horrors of adolescence.

I had never read this book for fear that it would be too much like Little House on the Prairie which I had heard were heartwarming books where nothing much ever happened. Though Anne of Green Gables is certainly heartwarming and describes the interesting but not action packed life of a young girl, Anne's character is not the ordinary sweet little girl that you might expect to read about. Though wanting to be good, Anne spends most of her time dreaming about "romantic" things such as a beautiful pond near by which she named the Lake of Shining Waters, and the demons and goblins that live in the Haunted Wood. Her chatter fills the entire book and barely a page goes by without her contemplating some fantastical thought. This is a beautifully written novel and there needs to be no wondering as to why it has endured for the one hundred years that it has.

This full-length play, adapted from L.M. Montgomery's novel, has roles for 6-12 men and 12-19 women, with extras as desired. The time period is the early 1900's. The place is Avonlea and other locations on Prince Edward Island, Canada. All locales in the play can easily be performed on a unit set, however.

This dramatization faithfully conveys the spirit, events, and characters of the original novel, from her youth to early adulthood. The flexible casting and simple unit set make this play an ideal choice for community and school groups to produce.

This book is enchanting. My daughter and I were in Awe as we read it. There is one particular part whent he children sing the doxology. The build up to this point made quite an impression on both of us. It is beautiful.
Read it and weep (tears of joy)!

The story of a 'frightful little girl', whose point of view changes as she discovers the secrets of her new surroundings.
A well-written story at times, but it definitely had its draggy moments. It seemed to promise more than it delivered(I expected more of a fantasy tale, along the lines of 'The Chronicles of Narnia'.)
The characters were well-developed, though Colin kind of took over what had been 'Mary's story' toward the end.
Perhaps not the best 'classic children's lit' out there, but it shows how life was at the time it was written, and it's best not to give up on it because it's not entirely 'PC'. Judge for yourself.

This book is awesome. I loved the story of this two neglected kids that find each other. Both were mighty in their own ways, yet lonely in their soul. That is until she found the secret garden in her cousin's home. In it, it grew more than plants, their lives intwine with that of the flowers and they too bloom at the end. Beautiful story.
Anna del C.
Author of "The Elf and the Princess"
and "Trouble in the Elf City"
The Elf and The Princess: The Silent Warrior Trilogy - Book One (The Silent Warrior Trilogy)

This was my favorite book as a child. Still love it today. MUCH better than any of the movies made!

If there is a main character for the book it is Misselthwaite Manor. If there is a present theme is that we (metaphorically speaking) can all unlock our secret garden and make it grow and make a world which we can invite others into.

The story examines a series of characters from Mary Lennox, Dicken Sowersby, Martha Sowersby and of course Colin Craven as they find their lives revolving around the gardens and the moores of a place located in Yorkshire England as they find 'the magic' of the place managing to provoke life changing lessons for all of them.

Like her other book 'The Little Princess', the book starts off in India, and like 'Little Princess', Mary suffers the death of her parents and finds herself trapped in England but that is where the novels part ways. Instead we are immersed into a world of robins, flowers, gardens and shimmering fog and springtime activities. Mistress Mary is cast among a world she barely understand but must learn to survive in. She unlocks mysteries, gets new friends and changes the life of another -- Colin forever.

Both my daughter and I enjoyed the novel until the very end where it decays a bit into endless exposition as Colin begins his scientific experiments. The ending itself almost leaves open a sequel as several character issues find themselves a bit hanging in a lurch but the focus is not on any one single character -- mistress Mary pretty much drops out of the novel halfway through it. It is on the world around us and how it can change us if we let it. We all have beautiful secret gardens in all of us if we are willing to find them and share them with others and in the world of today, that's a great message.

after reading Walk Two Moons and Chasing Redbird....
this book almost seems like a dissapointment...........
but none the less is a good book.......
but surely not her best.............

The Wanderer is a book about a journey on The Wanderer. It appears that the title of the book is just the name of the boat, but the reader may look at it as a metaphor describing Sophie, and how she is wandering through life. The book is written in the style of a journal, written by Sophie. The reader also gets another point of view from a journal by Cody. The writing style is written just as a child would write in a journal. Sophie's entries were much more in depth, while Cody's entries were a little less detailed, but still very interesting. The switching from back and forth between characters was not confusing, but engages the reader. It makes the reader eager to hear both sides of the story instead of just one. The entries were not very lengthy and resulted in a quick read. The author wrote the story so that any of the questions the reader may have had throughout the book are answered at the end. This book was an exciting adventure and I would definitely recommend it.

When I first read this story I was a kid. Now, a few years later, I still return to it often, as it was my favorite and a great read. Don't be turned off by the age recommendation-this is interesting for older teens as well. I first picked "The Wanderer" from the library after reading another one of Creech's books, "Walk Two Moons". They do pose some similarities, namely a female main character on the brink of discovering herself and her past. Creech does a good job with the "show, don't tell" rule in writing, but the meaning behind the scenes remain clear. What isn't clear at times is the sailer jargon, but the book contains little of that and actually seems to mock it ("Mind the mizzen pot! Hoist the flibbergibbet!" Cody exclaims in jest while cooking.) Most of the time the story takes place on a boat, and in the story there are many analogies to waves and water. The viewpoint of the story changes just like waves do, alternating between Cody and Sophie (the main character). This allows them to provide insights on one another which could not be portrayed so poetically if the story was written by only one viewpoint.
Something tells me that years from now I will still be returning to this book, reading it again and again until (God forbid) its pages are stained with coffee and the pages start to fall out.
~D.N.M.

Walk Two Moons is a beloved book, but I am disappointed in The Wanderer. If I hadn't read Walk Two Moons, I probably would have enjoyed The Wanderer more than I did. Like Walk Two Moons, the storytelling is well done and the writing is solid. Sophie is an interesting character and the growth of her and her cousins is enjoyable. What I don't like about The Wanderer is that it is essentially the same story as Walk Two Moons -- a girl on the cusp of womanhood is taken into the protection of colorful relatives who allow her the space to discover the truth about her past and her parent(s). Like Walk Two Moons there is a grandparent who needs the love and support only our hero can supply. Like Walk Two Moons, there is the moment of harsh realization.

If you can read only one of the two books, read Walk Two Moons.

I think when I have my own children to mess with I will introduce mandatory mid-day power outages. Then they can spend days like I just spent this afternoon when some trouble with a breaker-switch-thing ruled out the all too tempting computer or television but it was still light enough to read . . .and read I did!
The book helped. The Wanderer is written in journal form with alternating entries between two thirteen-year-old cousins, Sophie and Cody. These two very different but very loveable and real children have embarked on a trans-Atlantic voyage on a 45 foot boat, facing fears and many discoveries. The book is beautifully written in believable "kid speak."
Throughout the story you have to uncover mysteries about the characters, mainly about the past. Usually I can't stand "repressed memory" stories, but the style which flits between Sophie's view--denying bits of her past and conveniently inserting other people's stories into her own--and Cody's view--trying to figure out the conflicting stories--works perfectly. I care about Sophie, about whether she will be hurt when the stories she has built up as her own come crashing down and she doesn't know who she is, or what a Sophie is at all. The conclusion is utterly satisfying.
The diary format does have some weaknesses. I never get a good picture of the characters. I never figure out the ages of anyone besides the two leads, and a lot of details go unfilled. Despite this, however, the book went by at a clip, and I absolutely adored it.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R36FRK5CGTJH79 Author Christopher Vogler presents the mythic structure underlying the hero's journey in his book The Writer's Journey.

For beginning writers, this book could be useful. The 'journey' image is sometimes overused, but this is in part because it responds to a deep need in us. Preachers often use the image of a journey; indeed, many stories in the Bible will use the journey as part of the tale (if not the integral part of the tale). Mythological figures often have their lives and exploits told in journey images -- from times as ancient as those of Gilgamesh, through to modern times, the journey is important as a storytelling device. One can think of Gilgamesh, or Odysseus, or Aeneas in the ancient world; one can think of Moses and Martin Luther King, Jr. in search of the promised land; one can even think of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, seeking the Emerald City, when in fact she's looking for home.

The characters along the way in the journey also represent key elements in our lives -- dangers, strengths, things to love, to hate, to avoid, to embrace. These are archetypes. As others have noted, there are other guides to these (Campbell being perhaps the best known, and perhaps the best writer of these), but Christopher Vogler's use of these mythic structures and the journey process to help beginning writers puts the framework into an interesting and accessible guide.

This is a work with a journey of its own -- as a third edition, there are stories within the making of it. Vogler relates some of these, which include some major motion pictures experiences (one of the primary storytelling vehicles of the twentieth century) in his introduction. This has developed also in part due to critique and questions Vogler has received over time. One of those is that this is formulaic. Films, television shows, songs, poems, stories -- all of these are susceptible to being formulaic, and there is a fine line between following a form and being a slave to the formula.

This guide is practical. For those with experience writing, it can be a bit of a retreat, and, in truth, a bit simple. But for those looking to break into writing and have little experience with how to craft a story, this can be a good guide. While we are surrounded by stories in our lives, many of us don't quite know how to tell them well. Vogler's book gives insight into a process for making meaning and making sense while doing so.

I read through most of it and found it to be much like other books that I had to purchase for graduate writing courses. I was a bit disappointed.

I've read Vogler before and jumped at the new edition to read the additional chapters. Besides I've loaned my other copy out. If you actually want to read this fine book buy another edition besides THIRD because the print is the smallest I have ever seen in my life. It drives you absolutely insane. Which is why I find myself posting a review on Amazon. Content, fabulous, if I could read it.

Based on content alone, I would have considered three stars; however, I have a hard time accepting *writing* advice from a book so badly written. I realize Mr. Vogler is a story analyst, not a writer. Still, the style here is atrocious, often to the point of distraction.

As he describes various films, he frequently jumbles his characters and his actors, creating a rambling, grammatically nightmarish style: "Recurring mentors include 'The Chief' on 'Get Smart', Will Geer and Ellen Corby as the grandparents on 'The Waltons', Alfred in 'Batman', James Earl Jones' CIA official in Patriot Games and The Hunt for Red October, etc." (For the record, I typed this sentence exactly as it appears in the book, other than my inability to italicize the Jack Ryan titles. Yes, those commas are found outside the quotation marks; yes, Mr. Jones's name is made plural possessive.) This utter disregard for parallelism can be found on nearly every page. In addition, Mr. Vogler refers to some characters only by their names ("In the film The Last of the Mohicans, Major Duncan Hayward is the rival of hero Nathaniel Poe..."); he refers to still others as only the names of the actors ("James Stewart forces Kim Novak to change her hair and clothing ..."). I was left with the feeling of a first draft, as if Mr. Vogler hadn't yet looked up the names he couldn't recall.

If you can overlook these stylistic eyesores (obviously, I have a difficult time doing so), you might find something useful in these pages. Or you might not. As demonstrated by the variety of reviews, this book's usefulness really depends on the reader.

Do you have an intermediate grasp of mythology and archetypes? You'll be bored by this. Have you read Joseph Campbell's _The Hero With A Thousand Faces_? You'll probably wonder why anyone bothered to publish this, because Mr. Vogler quotes and paraphrases Mr. Campbell to a worshipful degree. Do you write with characters in your mind first, and let them "tell you what to do" in terms of plot? You'll want to approach this book as a road you can wander from, not a roller coaster track you must stick to or die. Do you have some fully developed characters you'd love to explore, but struggle with plot? This book (as well as any study of archetypes) can help you find some signposts to guide your way. Are you entirely unschooled in archetypes and mythology but would like to learn? This book isn't the best starting place available, but I doubt it's the worst.

Before you start reading, examine your writing goals and your knowledge of archetypes to decide if this one is worthwhile for you. (Oh, and examine yourself for grammatical-OCD tendencies to decide if you can endure it.)

In left tackle terms this book was a pancake. I can't believe it took me so long to buy this book and read it. During the past year I have passed this book over on numerous occasion instead choosing a number of different titles including "Meat Market". If anyone is out there faced with a similiar choice it's a no brainer. The Blind Side goes to the top of my list of this years best reads.

Lewis spins a great tale of the life and times of Michael Oher and the educational and social system that at first neglected him and then helped him rise to national prominence. This story will make you think, make you cry, and make you cheer. The book has something for everyone. If your a non sports fan, the book tackles the public school system. life on the street, and racism. If your a sports fan: Buy this book now!!!!

I loved how Lewis tied the life and times in the evolution of the left tackle position into the story line. With each chapter I either acquired more knowledge, was reminded of historical information, or fascinated by Michael Oher himself. In reading the Blind Side; I got a history lesson, a lesson on compassion, and a lesson on racism in Memphis all in one. The book increased my knowledge about SEC football, recruiting in general, and "The Grove". At the same time my contempt for organizations such as the NCAA and the public school system continued to rise.

Reading the jacket blurb, one would think that The Blind Side is the football version of Moneyball - full of insights into a new approach to running a football team. And there is a little of that, as Michael Lewis chronicles the emergence of the left tackle as a position of critical importance. I liked this part of the book, even if it ran on too long and was much too repetitive. Ultimately, this book was the story of one talented boy who rose above a life of poverty and neglect, and with the help of many, got himself an education and a chance to play football at the top level. 80% of this book is a Michael Oher bio, and a good one. While the author tried to make this about big issues in football and society, the book is at its best just telling Oher's story. In spite of a number of flaws, this was a biography that I did enjoy, and I learned a little more about football in the process.

As a person who loves sports but does not have in-depth knowledge of football (nor the patience to read a die-hard Football 101 history book!), this was a great read - both educational & entertaining. It's a wonderful blend of sports history & a real-life story that is still in progress. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the game and a great story. This book is well-written and you don't have to be an expert on the game to thoroughly enjoy it.

Lewis has always been great at dissecting the strategies people use in sports and business. Business is a big part of big football. And so are the people. As the story unfolds you will be impressed with the evolution of the game and the people who make it happen. And you will have your heart strings tugged by the story of Michael Oher, his adoptive family the Tuohys, Big Tony, and all the rest.

I loved Michael Lewis' Moneyball, and per the suggestion of a friend I picked up The Blind Side. While Moneyball was excellent, The Blind Side may have just topped it.

Michael Lewis has a gift for being able to tell a story in a way that explains the basics of an idea and makes it fascinating to learn about. Prior to reading this book, I would have classified myself as a casual NFL football fan; However, after reading Lewis' account of the evolution of the left tackle, it completely changed both the way I think about and watch the game.

As if redefining the game of football wasn't enough, Lewis also has taken a character in Michael Oher and created one of the most interesting, unlikely, and moving stories I have read about. Oher's story gives a sense of hope that by being surrounded by special, caring people, there is no limit to what one can accomplish.

A great book, easily one of the best I've read all year.

I read this with my son for 7th grade and we both enjoyed it very much.

when i first read 'pictures of hollis woods', i was just starting seventh grade. i think that the main character not being able to fit in with the orphanages she goes to can also apply to teenage life, in a sense. some teens cant fit in with other classmates or friends, and they could kind of, confide, if you will, in hollis' character.
i also think its nice how the book goes from hollis' life with josie, and then to flashbacks, which help explain the book more fully.
all in all, its a good book; its worth the read.

Orphaned Hollis Woods seems destined to spend the rest of her childhood bouncing from one foster home to another. When she lands in the care of an elderly art teacher, Hollis begins to relax in the gentle and encouraging home. As Hollis's love for her new foster mother, Josie, grows, so does her awareness that Josie is losing her faculties - a fact which must be hidden from the dreaded caseworker's watchful eye. Interwined in the story of the present, Hollis reminisces through her artwork of the past that depicts another home that was dearly cherished. The pictures tell a tale of love, the hope of a family, and the shattered dream under mysterious circumstances. Will Hollis lose yet another loved one as her caretaker mentally fades? Why did Hollis leave the family she'd wished for? Will her caseworker succeed in finding Hollis a forever home? These questions will compel the reader to know the conclusions and hope for happiness for Hollis at last.

Wow, is the book over already? If you're looking for an outstanding book, I would definitely highly recommend the book called "Pictures of Hollis Woods". It is about a girl named Hollis. She is a foster child. Hollis runs away from almost every family she is brought to, even the family called Regans, who were respsecful and treated her like their real child. She is finally sent to a lady named Josie. After staying a while, she is pretty sure this is her future-to stay with Josie. This book is a book you wouldn't regret reading. Everyone would enjoy it. It's one of those books that warms your heart after reading every last word. This book is awesome. If you ever need to pick up a book and you don't know what to read, here's your answer; "Picture of Hollis Woods". See, it's only 4 words! So pick up the book and enjoy. You won't regret it!

Hollis is the girl every educator and social worker experiences frustration with. This story paints the entire picture of a troubled child's life and what it takes to "fix it." Often what kids need isn't something they can find in school. Every teacher and social worker should read this book!

I just can't get enough of Dan Savage. He draws us into his life and paints a picture that is intensely interesting and surprisingly relatable. You can't put this book down. He's just such a skilled writer! His writing is perfectly conversational, yet, thoughtfully and intelligently written. He does a very nice job at mixing memoir with personal life philosophy.

It's completely satisfying to read as the beautiful relationship of he and his boyfriend grow as they adopt this child. Dan is admittedly not "mushy-gushy." However, you can tell how much he's completely in-love with boyfriend through the affectionate manner in which he describes their arguments and fights in that way that only people who can't live without each other fight and argue.

You finish this book feeling you personally know Dan. However, you don't, and now you're dying to be in his life!

I couldn't recommend this book more. "The Committment" is equally as good (and it's this book's sequel -- about 5 years in this book's future).

Dan Savage wrote an amazing account of the good and bad times of becoming a two-same-sex parent family. As a single gay man who is researching his potential of becoming a single gay dad, I definitely learned something from Dan & his partner's story. Dan's accounts drew a picture of possibility for me in a very funny way. Thanks Dan. If I wasn't sure about having kids before reading your book, I certainly am sure now!

The book was totally amusing - I found myself having to stop reading in several places to laugh out loud.

Dan expressed so well the urge of all humans - gay and straight - to leave something of themselves behind in their children.

For us straight people, it was a nice introduction to the world of gay people. Explaining the lifestyle - and how very much the same we all are.

I'm very much looking forward to reading his other books now.

I love adoption stories and after hearing Dan Savage on "This American Life" talk about the impact of TV on his young son I wanted to read this book. "The Kid" reminded me of Clara: The Early Years: The Story of the Pug Who Ruled My Life, in which the author relates the tale of adopting her son from Russia (despite the title). Adoption stories are often as long, complicated, and painful as stories of recovery from addiction. There is always a beginning of tenuous hope, a middle riddled with nagging fear, and finally, an end of joyful success which is only the beginning of a new life. Dan Savage writes with wonderful honesty and humor about an authenically scary life decision. His true talent as a writer shines forth in this book. It's a fun read and informative as well if you're planning to adopt.

This is such a cute, humorous and honest story; a very entertaining and easy read.

Janie is taken from her adoptive parents, the Johnsons, and goes to live with her biological parents and four siblings, the Spring Family. Although all of the Spring family members are eager to include her, she desperately misses her adoptive parents whom she is allowed no contact with so she is emotionally aloof. As things start to improve, though, they experience a setback when the FBI shows up to question Janie. Finally, Janie asserts her desire to return to her adopted family, and her biological parents love her enough to let her go. However, Janie's siblings, angry and upset that they are once again losing their sister, journey to New York to find the woman responsible for everything.

After The Face on the Milk Carton, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. It wasn't what I expected, the story was interesting, but the emotions were fascinating. I felt that the author was full of insight and that she was able to capture what a child in the situation might feel and the way she would express it.

Before you read What Ever Happened to Janie, I suggest that you read the Face on the Milk Carton first. Because every thing that happened in the Face on the Milk Carton continues in What Ever Happened to Janie.

Following the events in the Face on the Milk Carton, Janie is forced to live with a family she didn't know or love in New Jersey and she can't have any contact with her other family or friends for three months.

I personally love real life stories and that is why I enjoyed this book so much because it held my interest and it had many twists.

Even though I enjoyed this book I found the first one to be more existing and interesting.

Have you ever seen the pictures of the children on the milk cartons and thought glad that has not happened to me? What if you saw your own picture? Would you believe that it was true? These are just a few of the difficult questions that Janie was faced with. Now Janie is trying to figure out who is lying, the milk carton or her "parents".
Thankfully to relieve her mind somewhat Revee is there to help. Revee is the boy next door, literally. Janie is head over heels for Revee her long time friend neighbor. Revee is very understanding but also is older and wanting to do more than just talk. Revee is taking Janie's feelings into consideration, for now.
I really enjoyed the book and thought that it was well written. What I mean by this is that it gave you the right clues at the right times but never gave too much away at the wrong times. Along with this, I found it to be suspenseful because of the odd placed clues. I thought that the book had a great tragedy line that gave it a very good base. I whinded off the base well in specific details. The book definitely had a good ending. It really laves you hanging wanting to read the sequels
I can not personally relate to Janie. Although, I have been in situations where I am very confused and I am thankful for whatever shoulder I have to lean on until I am balanced on my own feet. I also worry a bunch. Thankfully my worries are not as extreme as Janie's. Now the questions that Janie is crossing are becoming much more complex and unfortunately so are the answers.

After reading "The Face on the Milk Carton", many wonder what happened after the phone call that ended the book. "Whatever Happened to Janie?" picks up where that story ended.

At times, "Whatever Happened to Janie?" is a remarkably sad read as it sees the main character torn between two families. Now living with her biological family, Janie/Jennie finds herself struggling with her identiity as she begins life with the Spring family. Not wanting to let go of her past life, she finds conflict with the siblings that are adjusting to her while failing to form a bond with her new parents. Janie/Jennie must decide who she wants to be and live her life within those limits.

Just as the previous book ends with a cliffhanger, this one does also. A slightly less provocative ending finds the Springs seeking revenge on the trail of Janie's kidnapper Hannah. While some may want to continue to the next book in the series to resolve this subplot, purists may have already decided the first book was enough. And as good as the first book was, they may be right.

Interesting and unusual topic for a novel, one that appealed to my own personal "twin" sensibilities. However, the book got a bit repetitive; and, definitely somewhat far-fetched as for each twin's ability to function as independently of the other as they purportedly did. Not a bad read...but, I would have trouble recommending it.

There are several chapters in "The Girls" that have become some of my favorite pieces of literature: the shockingly honest recount of Ruby writing about her sister wanting to give up her whole life altogether, then passing it off as a mere joke; Rose Darlen talking about who she imagined herself to be once Nick finally caved in and gave her a kiss.

This novel is not a feel-good piece but a depressing recount of two lives having lived conjoined together. We all wish we could look back on our own experiences with such a poetic nature. But then, that is why this is fiction and we live in reality. And Lori Lansens has a knack for her craft that is far more superior than most. You'd never even know you were reading two individual stories side-by-side, told by the same person. Each twin recalls the story of their lives with such different rhythms and paces, you'd have sworn it was two different people telling it!

The interesting nature of how everything unfolds makes the reader feel a bit like the crows in Baldoon County, skulking around and watching these young girls turn into imaginative women. I feel sad that it ended so abruptly, but cannot wait to share it with others. This is definitely a novel to repeat again and again.

This is an extremely well-written, subtly emotional story. The author does an excellent job of establishing their individual personalities, their struggles, as well as a sisterly relationship which is tender at the core. I was also fascinated by the drama introduced halfway into the novel - one of those things where a casual curveball mention of two important facts leaves you thinking "whoa, did I miss something?" I love to read books that are unpredictable. Would totally recommend this book to anyone, and I am giving it as a Christmas present. BRAVA!

I am an avid reader, and this is by far one of the best books I have ever written. The story, the author's style, the characters, everything is brilliant. I highly recommend it.

Seldom have I been moved by a novel as much as by this one. Lori Lansens writes with a sparkling clarity and directness, not to mention tenderness. Her other gift is to have concocted such an unusual and ingenious premise for a story and to have seen it through from beginning to end with a breathtaking sure-footedness. Even so, it could well be argued that the craniopagus twins of the title serve mainly as a conduit for Lansen's true purpose, her exploration of the human condition as it applies to all of us. For indeed everything is here: joy, fear, wonderment, loyalty, devotion . . . and of course love and death.

My own sense of wonder is that, long since I finished the book, seldom a day passes that one or more of these vividly realised characters don't at some point enter my mind and in so doing touch on issues that are normally all too easy to simply rush past on the way to the usual worries of everyday life. If it wasn't for the cliché of the life-changing book I'd surely want to venture out and use it about this one.