Jennifer

Jennifer Baylor is a poor, red-headed young woman from West Virginia. Jennifer possesses a power over snakes, an ability to control them and communicate with them. She and her father, Luke Baylor had left their home in disgrace, because when Jennifer was around the age of seven, some snakes she had been handling apparently bit and killed the preacher's son. She refused to handle snakes ever again, though Luke now runs a pet store and often encourages her to use her power again. Luke is mentally disabled, unable to make meals for himself without burning them, and so has been relying on Jennifer since his wife died. While he does run the pet store, he spends most of the time in a back room, listening to Christian radio. Then, Jennifer receives a scholarship to an upper-class private girls' school. While at school, Jennifer encounters a clique of extremely powerful, wealthy and cruel girls, who hate her for being poor and different. These girls are caught cheating on a mid-term exam, and accuse Jennifer of being the ringleader when they get caught, despite the fact that they know she was not involved. When she retaliates by reporting them for cheating, they are enraged to the point of considering murder. The ruler of this clique, and the main antagonist is Sandra Treymayne, the daughter of a U.S. Senator. Over time, she turns many other students and teachers against Jennifer, including the school's headmistress. The headmistress is eager to expel Jennifer as well, preferring students with rich and powerful parents. Meanwhile, Jennifer makes some allies and friends at school. The swimming team invites her to join, and a teacher reaches out to her. As well, a member of Sandra's clique, Jane Delano, who is an overweight girl being used by those who claim to be her friends, also sticks up for Jennifer occasionally, although this is to her detriment. Eventually, Jennifer is pushed to the point where her only remaining recourse is revenge.