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4.37 AVERAGE
4.37 AVERAGE
This is a heavy book at times with a lot to unpack, but it is definitely worth unpacking. I wanted to speak to Genesis, to let her know it was going to be okay. I will probably end up using this for one of my Project Lit book clubs so we can unpack together.
Loved it. I can definitely see why it won a Newbery Honor! I love books like this that break my heart and then put it back together again.
A solid debut novel with many adult themes, and an impactful window into someone else's perspective.
After a strong start of heavy exposition-filled pages, strong themes, and a cadence and slang that takes some getting used to, we see Genesis enrolled in a new middle school that comes with its bevy of challenges: Genesis sticks out because of her race, socioeconomic status, and new-ness (something no new kid can escape).
The vivid descriptions of Genesis' home life and coping mechanisms put you so firmly into her shoes that Genesis' problems began to feel like they were my own. Of course they weren't. I read this book at home, with a full pantry, rent that was paid, and without the stresses of tenuous friendships or the threat of a drunken father barging in and talking about how much of a disappointment I was.
Around page 300 I was so tired of Genesis repeating her same issues over and over again. Her drunk father. Her familial discord. The nervousness that your wellbeing is dependent on an irresponsible father and a mother who can't seem to stick up for herself. At some point you'd expect Genesis to solve a problem, then the next, then the next. But that never happens. She's in a nasty, nervous, unstable stasis for most of the book. But then it clicked.
The same stressors batter Genesis like unending waves on a cold beach. Her problems wash over her again and again and she's virtually powerless to stop them. She's in MIDDLE SCHOOL! She barely understands herself, much less how the rest of the world works. She's entirely dependent on her family and friends for emotional and financial support. For much of the book, she's barely getting any assistance from friends or family. She does a lot of growing up in these pages, and the Genesis we meet at the end of the book is stronger and more aware of herself than before.
While Genesis still isn't in a position to force her mother to move out or provide for herself, she is at least aware of the ways in which she can take matters into her own hands by being more at peace with what and who she is. Genesis learns that other characters (her father, her mother, Sophia, Troy, Grandma) have their own battles to fight and their own insecurities to overcome.
Ultimately, GENESIS is a story of understanding yourself and others. At times, the jarring sentence flow and confusing slang force the reader to decode Williams' meaning, but readers are left breathing a sigh of relief that--after the unrelenting waves of anxiety have continually washed over Genesis for the entire narrative--Genesis comes out stronger in the end.
After a strong start of heavy exposition-filled pages, strong themes, and a cadence and slang that takes some getting used to, we see Genesis enrolled in a new middle school that comes with its bevy of challenges: Genesis sticks out because of her race, socioeconomic status, and new-ness (something no new kid can escape).
The vivid descriptions of Genesis' home life and coping mechanisms put you so firmly into her shoes that Genesis' problems began to feel like they were my own. Of course they weren't. I read this book at home, with a full pantry, rent that was paid, and without the stresses of tenuous friendships or the threat of a drunken father barging in and talking about how much of a disappointment I was.
Around page 300 I was so tired of Genesis repeating her same issues over and over again. Her drunk father. Her familial discord. The nervousness that your wellbeing is dependent on an irresponsible father and a mother who can't seem to stick up for herself. At some point you'd expect Genesis to solve a problem, then the next, then the next. But that never happens. She's in a nasty, nervous, unstable stasis for most of the book. But then it clicked.
The same stressors batter Genesis like unending waves on a cold beach. Her problems wash over her again and again and she's virtually powerless to stop them. She's in MIDDLE SCHOOL! She barely understands herself, much less how the rest of the world works. She's entirely dependent on her family and friends for emotional and financial support. For much of the book, she's barely getting any assistance from friends or family. She does a lot of growing up in these pages, and the Genesis we meet at the end of the book is stronger and more aware of herself than before.
While Genesis still isn't in a position to force her mother to move out or provide for herself, she is at least aware of the ways in which she can take matters into her own hands by being more at peace with what and who she is. Genesis learns that other characters (her father, her mother, Sophia, Troy, Grandma) have their own battles to fight and their own insecurities to overcome.
Ultimately, GENESIS is a story of understanding yourself and others. At times, the jarring sentence flow and confusing slang force the reader to decode Williams' meaning, but readers are left breathing a sigh of relief that--after the unrelenting waves of anxiety have continually washed over Genesis for the entire narrative--Genesis comes out stronger in the end.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
This was hard. The writing was amazing. I know a great number of brown girls can relate to the colorism, the comparison, and the everyday struggle to see yourself as beautiful and hope that others see it too. A fellow colleague suggested I read this book to share with students, but omgosh. The heaviness, the broken promises, and hope against hope is relatable to all readers. Wow. -- Alicia Williams nailed what young dark skinned girls may experience through school age. My hope is that we teach our girls -- all of them -- that they are beautiful and accepted in the luscious skin they are in. No filter needed.
I really like Genesis’ voice, it was real. These are the kinds of books that need published. Books featuring characters of color in their day to day lives, in their own voices.
If this book doesn't make you feel something, you're a robot. I've never encountered a character quite like Genesis. She was so real, and her story needs to be told for all the kids who have ever felt like they wanted to be someone different. This story represents so many girls (and boys) that are underrepresented in life and gives them a voice. While Gensis's problems weren't fully solved, there was still a feeling of resolution that was more accurate of real life as the difficulties her family faces can't be solved quickly. Simply a wonderful and powerful story.
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book started a bit slow, and mid point I found myself thinking, "yeah, unhunh, yeah... can we just finish this novel?' but I am glad I stayed the course as the last 1/3 was the perfect culmination to this novel, bringing together all the points to explain how Genesis will begin again.