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davidgilani's review against another edition
4.0
A very well written YA book about the challenges of hating something so integral to yourself and developing a negative mindset to your own identity. It's something that a lot of young people will probably be able to relate to in some way, even if it's not on the basis of race.
phoenixg's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
abbymoore06's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this unique glimpse into the complexities of self-acceptance. This was uncharted territory for me... and the author's voice felt very authentic (I loved that she narrated her own book!) Genesis's journey was definitely one that will stick with me... her father's as well.
librarianlinda82's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent YA book about family and accepting yourself.
thenextgenlib's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved this book. Such a great one for tweens who feel uncomfortable in their own skin. Great about loving yourself and where you come from. #weneeddiversebooks
moxiegirlzriot's review against another edition
5.0
A poignant look at how the color of your skin can change everything about how you feel about yourself. Genesis just wants to look like her mom, but can't pass her grandmother's paper bag test. She will go to almost any length to change this fact about herself, continually adding to her list of things she hates about herself. Highly recommended for all ages 8+.
mbincolor's review against another edition
Miss Alicia Williams did a fantastic job with Genesis Begins Again and I would certainly recommend it to black girls who are starting to notice colorism in their day-to-day interactions or in the media.
Genesis Begins Again is also a great read for students who have parents who are struggling with addiction or job/housing instabilities.
I’m currently reading Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds, and if Genesis Begins Again was a short story it could certainly be one of the sections in his book.
Try reading them together.
Children and teens have a lot of emotional and physical obstacles outside of school-- without necessarily having the language or guidance-- that can silently (and severely) affect them. One thing I appreciated about this book is that Genesis’s parents/grandparents do eventually open up to her. Despite still wrestling with their own parental trauma/dysfunction, Genesis’s family treat her like a mature child and put their issues on the table, which allows her to find freedom in the truth: that she is enough as she is.
It’s usually later in life that children realize that their parents have trauma and have inflicted the remnants of that onto them. Genesis was, thankfully, able to realize this early before further damage caused her to lash out.
Alicia handles all the layers of Genesis's life with honesty, grace and hope.
Genesis Begins Again is also a great read for students who have parents who are struggling with addiction or job/housing instabilities.
I’m currently reading Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds, and if Genesis Begins Again was a short story it could certainly be one of the sections in his book.
Try reading them together.
Children and teens have a lot of emotional and physical obstacles outside of school-- without necessarily having the language or guidance-- that can silently (and severely) affect them. One thing I appreciated about this book is that Genesis’s parents/grandparents do eventually open up to her. Despite still wrestling with their own parental trauma/dysfunction, Genesis’s family treat her like a mature child and put their issues on the table, which allows her to find freedom in the truth: that she is enough as she is.
It’s usually later in life that children realize that their parents have trauma and have inflicted the remnants of that onto them. Genesis was, thankfully, able to realize this early before further damage caused her to lash out.
Alicia handles all the layers of Genesis's life with honesty, grace and hope.
miszjeanie's review against another edition
5.0
In Genesis Begins Again, thirteen-year-old Genesis grapples with intense self-hate worsened by her father's verbal abuse and her grandmother's backward ideologies about skin color.
Told in Genesis's slangy voice, Genesis Begins Again flows naturally. My heart ached for Genesis as she does everything from bathing in milk to scrubbing with a scouring pad to rid herself of her black skin. Her naivete is shocking and often hard to believe, but the rise of bleaching creams shows me otherwise.
Genesis Begins Again is a phenomenal middle-grade debut with a strong message about colorism, self-love, and the power of music.
full review on https://readingmiddlegrade.com/review-genesis-begins-again/
Told in Genesis's slangy voice, Genesis Begins Again flows naturally. My heart ached for Genesis as she does everything from bathing in milk to scrubbing with a scouring pad to rid herself of her black skin. Her naivete is shocking and often hard to believe, but the rise of bleaching creams shows me otherwise.
Genesis Begins Again is a phenomenal middle-grade debut with a strong message about colorism, self-love, and the power of music.
full review on https://readingmiddlegrade.com/review-genesis-begins-again/