Janie Face to Face

Reach for this book when your teenager is navigating a major life transition, such as heading to college, while still grappling with the complexities of family loyalty and a difficult past. As the final chapter in the Janie Johnson saga, this story follows Janie as she attempts to reclaim her identity in New York City, only to be pulled back into the spotlight by a persistent true-crime writer. It explores the deep emotional tension between the family who raised her and the biological family she lost, touching on themes of forgiveness, media ethics, and self-definition. While it functions as a mystery, it is primarily a character study of a young woman learning to stand on her own feet despite a history of trauma. It is ideal for readers aged 12 and up who enjoy realistic drama and complex moral dilemmas.