Books › Genesis Begins Again
Genesis Begins Again
458 pages
A deeply sensitive and vulnerable journey of a young girl unlearning the hatred she was taught to feel for her own skin.
What it feels like
Reading this novel feels like holding a fragile, beating heart. It is a deeply sensitive and emotionally heavy experience that immerses the reader in the raw vulnerability of a thirteen-year-old navigating profound family instability and the painful sting of colorism. The narrative moves at a steady, deliberate pace, allowing the weight of internalized racism and verbal abuse to fully resonate before slowly introducing the tender, hopeful light of self-discovery. The prose is earnest and grounded, capturing the immediate, painful reality of keeping a list of one's own perceived flaws, while also celebrating the quiet triumphs of finding one's voice through music and friendship. It is a poignant, heart-wrenching read perfect for those who appreciate realistic juvenile fiction about breaking cycles of prejudice and learning to love oneself.
- Mood
- vulnerable
- heavy
- tender
- poignant
- Tone
- sensitive
- earnest
- heart-wrenching
- hopeful
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- internalized racism · healing from verbal abuse · finding self-worth · family instability · colorism
- The writing
- Deeply sensitive and grounded in the raw, immediate perspective of a struggling thirteen-year-old.
- The arc
- Moves from deep self-loathing and familial instability toward a fragile but profound sense of self-acceptance and hope.
- Who it's for
- Readers looking for a poignant, realistic middle-grade story about overcoming family trauma and learning to love one's own skin.
Content notes
- colorism and internalized racism
- verbal abuse
- gambling addiction
- housing insecurity
- toxic family dynamics
About the book
This deeply sensitive and powerful debut novel tells the story of a thirteen-year-old who must overcome internalized racism and a verbally abusive family to finally learn to love herself. There are ninety-six things Genesis hates about herself. She knows the exact number because she keeps a list. Like #95: Because her skin is so dark, people call her charcoal and eggplant -- even her own family. And #61: Because her family is always being put out of their house, belongings laid out on the sidewalk for the world to see. When your dad is a gambling addict and loses the rent money every month, eviction is a regular occurrence. What's not so regular is that this time they all don't have a place to crash, so Genesis and her mom have to stay with her grandma. It's not that Genesis doesn't like her grandma, but she and Mom always fight -- Grandma haranguing Mom to leave Dad, that she should have gone back to school, that if she'd married a lighter skinned man none of this would be happening, and on and on and on. But things aren't all bad. Genesis actually likes her new school; she's made a couple friends, her choir teacher says she has real talent, and she even encourages Genesis to join the talent show. But how can Genesis believe anything her teacher says when her dad tells her the exact opposite? How can she stand up in front of all those people with her dark, dark skin knowing even her own family thinks lesser of her because of it? Why, why, why won't the lemon or yogurt or fancy creams lighten her skin like they're supposed to? And when Genesis reaches #100 on the list of things she hates about herself, will she continue on, or can she find the strength to begin again? - Publisher.
Description from Open Library.
Books like Genesis Begins Again
See why they match
The Leaving MorningAngela JohnsonA gentle, bittersweet exploration of the long wait and mixed emotions that come with leaving a beloved home.
Harbor meJacqueline WoodsonA quiet, deeply moving sanctuary of a story about the healing power of simply listening to one another.
The colors of usKaren KatzA vibrant, mouth-watering stroll through a neighborhood that celebrates the beautiful spectrum of human skin tones.
The Darkest ChildDelores PhillipsA harrowing, deeply immersive descent into the suffocating grip of a toxic mother, illuminated by a young girl's fierce will to survive.
North of beautifulJustina ChenA tender, map-making journey of a girl learning to navigate past her deepest insecurities to find a beauty entirely her own.
BlendedSharon M. DraperA heartfelt, musical exploration of what it means to feel split down the middle and the journey to finding your own unique harmony.