Jennifer Ramos Kennedy, a girl from a rich and politically influential family whose twin brother has died in an accident and left her bereft, is about to enter her freshman year at Frontera College. We accompany Jenny as she proceeds through her early days at school, encountering surprises and wonders and some unpleasant problems. Deadly microbes that caused Aids and anthrax are now being modified to cure disease and grow cables for space elevators. Earth is altered by global warming, and an invasive alien species called ultraphytes threatens the surviving ecosystem.--From book jacket.