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fieldofhats's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
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
3.5
Read for Young Adult Literature.
This was a very solid diverse young adult story that shares many perspectives you don’t often see in the genre. The writing style is very approachable and easy, though not overly simple; it feels more like a book for young high schoolers rather than a middle grade audience. The authorial voice captures the background and perspective of our main character so well, and listening to the author read it was a joy.
Genesis’ arc was fantastic, and I think there’s a lot of good lessons to be learned about winning and how it isn’t everything snd about how it’s good to grow as a person but you don’t need to change yourself for others. She continues ti learn and grow through her friendships, and she grows more mature through her tense relationships with her parents.
All in all, this was a very good book! It’s not the kind of thing I’m usually into, but I’m glad I read it!
This was a very solid diverse young adult story that shares many perspectives you don’t often see in the genre. The writing style is very approachable and easy, though not overly simple; it feels more like a book for young high schoolers rather than a middle grade audience. The authorial voice captures the background and perspective of our main character so well, and listening to the author read it was a joy.
Genesis’ arc was fantastic, and I think there’s a lot of good lessons to be learned about winning and how it isn’t everything snd about how it’s good to grow as a person but you don’t need to change yourself for others. She continues ti learn and grow through her friendships, and she grows more mature through her tense relationships with her parents.
All in all, this was a very good book! It’s not the kind of thing I’m usually into, but I’m glad I read it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Grief and Addiction
johannacarpio's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
nonime's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
4.0
internationalkris's review against another edition
4.0
Genesis has a lot of troubles in her life. Some of them are fairly universal like choosing friends and managing math class. Other serious ones are caused by her alcoholic father and codependent mother. And still others stem from the self-loathing caused by colorism which is highly valued by her maternal grandmother and father as well as others in her community. When Genesis starts a new school early in the book she gets to walk away from some negative people and gets a new chance at building real friendships and finding success especially in the music program. However, many of her troubles are either out of her control or internalized and they come with her. This is an important and insightful book.
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.
kelseywaters's review against another edition
5.0
The best middle grade/YA book I’ve read in awhile. It really helped me understand a perspective I think a lot of my students go through, particularly of being overwhelmed with the stress of life to the point where it’s too hard to focus on school. Genesis is a beautiful, thoughtful main character struggling with having dark skin and loving herself in a society that doesn’t accept her. I love the way this story works through her challenges with both her self worth and her relationships with her mom, dad, grandma, and new friends at school. So powerful.
bookishkellyn's review against another edition
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It sent me through a wave of emotions that the adults in the main character’s life fueled her self-loathing and then failed to sympathize with her actions to correct her perceived flaws. The author’s narration on the audiobook version kept me from DNF’ing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Bullying
mrstiabee's review against another edition
5.0
I read that this was called “The Bluest Eye” for middle grade readers. It lived up to the review.
ireadtoescape_'s review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
So beautiful!!! 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹
I felt like this was me at 13. Being dark skinned with kinky hair at that age was a lottt!! And I heard so much of myself in what Genesis did.
Identity is so powerful and I’m glad I got to find it. So heartbreaking to see Genesis go through it and also know that so many beautiful young girls are still going through this too. It feels like this book is holding space for all of us.
Beautiful. 💛
I felt like this was me at 13. Being dark skinned with kinky hair at that age was a lottt!! And I heard so much of myself in what Genesis did.
Identity is so powerful and I’m glad I got to find it. So heartbreaking to see Genesis go through it and also know that so many beautiful young girls are still going through this too. It feels like this book is holding space for all of us.
Beautiful. 💛
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Racism, Classism, and Body shaming
Minor: Ableism
belinda_h's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
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
4.5