In her science fiction teen novel, Mary Pearson examines a world in which the definition of “human” is called into question. Not only does her book bring up questions in the field of bio-ethics that, in a world of increasing technology are becoming more and more important, but it also follows plots and characters deep enough and with enough twists and turns to keep the reader turning the pages.
Plot of Jenna Fox
When the reader first meets Jenna, she has just woken up from a coma just days earlier, and is still trying to get a grip on her surroundings, as is the audience. Her parents tell Jenna that she has been in an accident and was unconscious for a very long time. As Jenna begins to slowly learn more about herself, by watching old videos of herself and through sudden memories, so the reader also discovers information about Jenna.
Through the first few chapters, the reader is introduced to Jenna’s parents, her grandmother (Lily), and her neighbor (Mr. Bender). As each of these characters help Jenna to learn more about her background, sometimes purposefully, sometimes not, the reader starts to see the plot fall into place. Later, when Jenna convinces her protective mother to let her go to school, she meets friends Allys, Ethan and Dean.
Through many of these relationships, as well as many memories that start to come in flashes for Jenna, she starts piecing together the reality of her situation, which is not entirely the reality her parents have been telling her. All bets are off when Jenna discovers the root of her family’s secret hidden in a locked closet in her parents’ room. What that closet contains would not only change Jenna’s past and future, but also change the way the world views a number of important bio-ethics issues.
About Mary Pearson
Born in 1955, Mary Pearson started life out as a storyteller. Having to constantly be asked “who are you today?” by her parents, it was Pearson’s imagination that started her off in the mindset of a writer. Not only does Pearson cite her wild imagination as a base for her writing career, but also numerous elementary school teachers who helped to inspire her creativity. She went on to get her B.F.A at Long Beach State University in art, and then to San Diego State University, where she got her teaching certificate. She has since found her first love again, writing, and has written four young adult books. She is married and has two children and two dogs.
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