Scan barcode
A review by jlynnreadsandwrites
Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams
4.0
Genesis Begins Again holds no punches. It deals with housing insecurity, having an unreliable parent, making friends, and colorism. Everything happens through Genesis' eyes as she navigates the world around her.
At 13, Genesis has a list of 96 reasons she dislikes herself. And while it is common for 13-year-old girls to dislike themselves, Genesis' story is one I have never seen told before in this way. (Which may be entirely on me.) It opens with Genesis bringing friends home to discover her family has been evicted, an experience many kids are familiar with but isn't often told in books.
It directly discusses colorism and its affect on Genesis. I read this book while on a reading committee for a book award and the one black woman on our committee appreciated the way colorism was discussed as she herself had experienced it growing up and could relate to Genesis' experience. As a white person, I feel that is the most I should say on a topic that does not affect me. I was deeply moved by Genesis' struggles and found my heart aching for her.
This book is important and powerful. It also hits an age group that is often overlooked: middle schoolers. It's hard to find books with characters between ages 12-15. There are so many books about being 12 but being 13 is different. When you're young a year makes a big difference. And, in general, kids don't like to read below their age.
I loved this book. I loved its honesty. I loved the friends Genesis found and how they help her start to see the world and herself a little differently. I loved Genesis' mother who loves her daughter fiercely and unconditionally. I loved the teacher who takes Genesis under her wing. I liked that there wasn't a neat resolution to the story because that isn't how life works but it still ends on a hopeful note.
At 13, Genesis has a list of 96 reasons she dislikes herself. And while it is common for 13-year-old girls to dislike themselves, Genesis' story is one I have never seen told before in this way. (Which may be entirely on me.) It opens with Genesis bringing friends home to discover her family has been evicted, an experience many kids are familiar with but isn't often told in books.
It directly discusses colorism and its affect on Genesis. I read this book while on a reading committee for a book award and the one black woman on our committee appreciated the way colorism was discussed as she herself had experienced it growing up and could relate to Genesis' experience. As a white person, I feel that is the most I should say on a topic that does not affect me. I was deeply moved by Genesis' struggles and found my heart aching for her.
This book is important and powerful. It also hits an age group that is often overlooked: middle schoolers. It's hard to find books with characters between ages 12-15. There are so many books about being 12 but being 13 is different. When you're young a year makes a big difference. And, in general, kids don't like to read below their age.
I loved this book. I loved its honesty. I loved the friends Genesis found and how they help her start to see the world and herself a little differently. I loved Genesis' mother who loves her daughter fiercely and unconditionally. I loved the teacher who takes Genesis under her wing. I liked that there wasn't a neat resolution to the story because that isn't how life works but it still ends on a hopeful note.