What is the rising action in "The Face On The Milk Carton"?

The rising action is the series of events leading up to the climax of a story. It's when the excitement usually begins to build up. In The Face on the Milk Carton, the rising action begins when Janie sees her own childhood picture on the milk carton at lunch and her world gets turned upside down. The events following this discovery are also a part of the rising action. This includes Mrs. Johnson denying Janie her birth certificate, Janie snooping in her mother's office and the trunk, Janie writing a letter to the Springs, finding the polka dot dress in her attack that matches the dress she wore in her picture on the milk carton, discovering information about Hannah, dialing the 800 number on the back of the milk carton, and Reeve's ultimatum for Janie to tell her parents what she's learned. All of these events lead up to the climax, where Lizzie explains everything to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson.

What is the falling action in "The Face on the Milk Carton"?

The falling action in the book occurs after Lizzie has explained Janie's kidnapping to the Johnsons.  As Janie's parents process the information, we watch them experience intense, conflicting emotions.  We see Janie's relief and worry as she waits to see what course of action they choose to take.  Finally, we witness Janie's inner turmoil as her mother dials her New Jersey family and hands her the phone.