A review by rakoerose
Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams

5.0

This book took my breath away on more than one occasion. Genesis is one of the strongest protagonists I think I’ve ever read about.

Mamas probably don’t want their kids to see them lose it. But I’m not about to leave her alone, either.

For young teens, self-loathing is often something they experience. For Genesis, it also stems from internalized racism and verbal abuse from her father. Her story is a heartbreaking one and also incredibly important. I hope there are young girls who see a girl who looks like them on the cover and find comfort that they are not alone. Own-voices novels continue to educate me and make it clear just how valued they should be in publishing.

I liked how Genesis was allowed to make mistakes, take responsibility for them, and begin again. That’s so much more valuable than having a protagonist who succeeds too easily. Humans make mistakes. Genesis made some big ones and learned from them. Such great messages for young ones to read!

I definitely want to see this included in more teacher’s plans. I want more kids to have access to narratives they’ll see themselves in. I can’t recommend this enough, as a book that lays harsh truths that fit the age range while also giving sweet, tender moments that showcase reality is not always good or bad.