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Alicia D. Williams: Genesis Begins Again (EBook, 2019, Atheneum Books for Young Readers) 5 stars

There are ninety-six reasons why thirteen-year-old Genesis dislikes herself. She knows the exact number because …

Review of 'Genesis Begins Again' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

content warnings: colourism, (internalised) racism, bullying, alcoholism

This book is going to be so so important for so many young people and I really hope it reaches a wide audience. It's unflinching, it dares to confront tough topics and it bravely and accurately depicts the anxieties of a modern teenage girl.

I adored Genesis, and whilst she felt slightly mature, she also made choices which were completely in line for a character of that age which made her seem more realistic. She was completely nuanced and my heart ached for her as she struggled with trying to fit in in a world that seemed to be lighter skinned than she was.

Read this for a complex, well-developed main character. Read this for important representation. Read this for multi-dimensional supporting characters. Read this for a story that deserves to be told.