The Fox Inheritance (33 page)

Acknowledgments

A universe of thanks to:

Jessica Pearson, Karen Beiswenger, Ben Beiswenger, Melissa Wyatt, Marlene Perez, and Jill Rubalcaba, for reading many drafts and for your awesome support and wisdom--you're the best. Additional thanks to Jessica, who read chapter by chapter and mused out loud about a "third book," and though I resisted, she did indeed get the wheels turning.

All the incredible folks at Macmillan and Henry Holt. I don't know what's in the water there, but their energy and enthusiasm never lag. I am indebted to such a professional team.

Ana Deboo, who has been my wonderful copyeditor for several of my books now, and all I can say is thank you so much and I'm so sorry.

Rosemary Stimola, my agent and friend, who always goes above and beyond, and is truly superhuman in all that she does--from first reader to brilliant adviser to hand-holder. I am certain there is Bio Gel beneath her skin.

Kate Farrell, my editor, who is everything a writer could hope for--first reader, last reader, and everything in between--and is so supportive of the creative process at every step, this book truly could not have been written without her. And as a bonus, she's a fun co-conspirator. I hit the editor jackpot.

My children, Karen, Ben, Jessica, and Dan, who are my first-draft cheerleaders and my inspiration and joy. They keep me going and the words flowing.

As always, my everything to my husband, Dennis. His love and support are unfailing. And he makes me laugh.

Mary E. Pearson
is the author of many novels for teens, including
The Adoration of Jenna Fox
;
The Miles Between
; and
A Room on Lorelei Street
. She writes full-time from her home in Carlsbad, California, where she lives with her husband and two dogs.

www.marypearson.com

Want more? Read Jenna's story in

The Adoration of Jenna Fox
.

Available in hardcover, paperback, and eBook formats.

Seventeen-year-old Jenna Fox has just awoken from a year-long coma--so she's been told--and she is still recovering from the terrible accident that caused it. Her parents show her home movies of her life, her memories, but she has no recollection. Is she really the same girl she sees on the screen? Little by little, Jenna begins to remember. Along with the memories come questions--questions no one wants to answer for her. What really happened after the accident?

Praise for
The Adoration of Jenna Fox
:

"Outstanding examination of identity, science and ethics ... deeply humane and gripping..."

--
Kirkus Reviews
, starred review

"This is a beautiful blend of science fiction, medical thriller, and teen-relationship novel that melds into a seamless whole that will please fans of all three genres."

--
School Library Journal
, starred review

"[Pearson] raises the ante in unexpected ways until the very last page."

--
Publishers Weekly
, starred review

Henry Holt and Company, LLC

Publishers since 1866

175 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York 10010

macteenbooks.com

Henry Holt(r) is a registered trademark of Henry Holt and Company, LLC.

Text copyright (c) 2011 by Mary E. Pearson

All rights reserved.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Pearson, Mary (Mary E.)

The Fox Inheritance / Mary E. Pearson. -- 1st ed.

p. cm. -- (The Jenna Fox chronicles ; [2])

Sequel to: The adoration of Jenna Fox.

Summary: Two hundred sixty years after a terrible accident destroyed their bodies, sixteen-year-old Locke and seventeen-year-old Kara have been brought back to life in newly bioengineered bodies, with many questions about the world they find themselves in and more than two centuries of horrible memories of being trapped in a digital netherworld wondering what would become of them.

ISBN 978-0-8050-8829-8 (hc)

[1. Identity--Fiction. 2. Survival--Fiction. 3. Bioethics--Fiction. 4. Biotechnology--Fiction 5. Guilt--Fiction. 6. Science fiction.] I. Title.

PZ7.P32316Fo 2011

[Fic]--dc22

2011004800

First hardcover edition--2011

eISBN 9781429926799

eBook edition--August 30, 2011