The Adoration of Jenna Fox

Early in the novel, Jenna is obsessed with her performance. She practices walking and acting in a way that is “normal.” She also reflects on her life as a dancer. At one point in a family video, Jenna almost abandons her dance routine in favor of one more suited to her personality, but she decides to continue the performance as expected. How has Jenna changed from the performance-driven Jenna in the video? How has the Bio Gel changed how Jenna feels about her life and how she should behave? Despite the directives implanted in her brain, how is Jenna less controlled by her parents than she once was?

Teaching Suggestion: Consider asking students to analyze the motif chronologically. Students may want to first brainstorm ways in which Jenna tries to perform, identify her realization of the ways she performs, and then discuss how she decides what she actually wants.

Differentiation Suggestion: For students who need additional reading and writing support, consider asking students to draw a T-Chart with how Jenna was before on one side and how Jenna is different now on the other side. Students may need to work in groups first to discuss the differences between who Jenna was and who she became after the Bio Gel.