Genesis Begins Again, Alicia D. Williams
Genesis Begins Again, Alicia D. Williams
2 Rating(s)
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Genesis Begins Again

Author: Alicia D. Williams

Narrator: Alicia D. Williams

Unabridged: 8 hr 48 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/14/2020


Synopsis

“Reminiscent of Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye.” —The New York Times

“One of the best books I have ever read…will live in the hearts of readers for the rest of their lives.” —Colby Sharp, founder of Nerdy Book Club

“An emotional, painful, yet still hopeful adolescent journey…one that needed telling.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“I really loved this.” —Sharon M. Draper, author of the New York Times bestseller Out of My Mind

This deeply sensitive and “compelling” (BCCB) 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 reasons why thirteen-year-old Genesis dislikes herself. She knows the exact number because she keeps a list:
-Because her family is always being put out of their house.
-Because her dad has a gambling problem. And maybe a drinking problem too.
-Because Genesis knows this is all her fault.
-Because she wasn’t born looking like Mama.
-Because she is too black.

Genesis is determined to fix her family, and she’s willing to try anything to do so…even if it means harming herself in the process. But when Genesis starts to find a thing or two she actually likes about herself, she discovers that changing her own attitude is the first step in helping change others.

About Alicia D. Williams

Alicia D. Williams is the author of Mid-Air, which was longlisted for the National Book Award; Genesis Begins Again, which received Newbery and Kirkus Prize honors, was a William C. Morris Award finalist, and for which she won the Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe Award for New Talent; and picture books Jump at the Sun, Nani and the Lion, and The Talk, which was also a Coretta Scott King Honor book. An oral storyteller in the African American tradition, she lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Bookishrealm on July 02, 2020

I'm not sure I've ever had a year where I've had so many favorites, but I'm okay with that. This isn't an enjoyable read. This isn't a read that is supposed to make you feel comfortable. This book made me emotional during several different parts. Genesis Begins Again confronts so many different topi......more

Goodreads review by Kristen on December 25, 2018

Edelweiss+ provided me a DRC of this book in exchange for an honest review. WE. NEED. MORE. MIDDLE. GRADE. BOOKS. LIKE. THIS. I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again: there are not enough middle grade books that feature African American girls and their day to day lives, along with some of th......more

Goodreads review by Christy on March 27, 2021

4.5 stars Genesis Begins Again is one of the most hard hitting middle grade books I’ve read. Genesis story was heartbreaking and difficult to read. For such a young girl to go through the feelings she went through, it was just devastating. To know that people are made to feel this way… it makes me so......more

Goodreads review by Katy O. on February 04, 2020

Well THAT just ripped my heart out. 2020 Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award......more

Goodreads review by Michelle on November 05, 2022

This is a middle grade book tackling colourism in all corners of society. Genesis is a Black 13 years old girl. At school she's called Charcoal or Blackie, it's not much easier at home as her Dad wishes she was lighter skinned like her mum. And let's not get started on grandma and her brown paper ba......more


Quotes

"Author Alicia D. Williams brings authenticity and heart to the narration of her debut audiobook. Life has been hard for 13-year-old Genesis Anderson. Her alcoholic, gambling father never pays the rent, and the family lives with continual evictions and constant uncertainty. Her mother is a beautiful light-skinned black woman, but Genesis herself is dark, and she feels unbearably ugly in comparison. Williams sensitively portrays Genesis's deep hurt and self-harming behavior as she undergoes risky treatments to lighten her skin and soften her hair in the hope that she will someday be beautiful. As the story continues, listeners will feel her agony as she dares to see herself differently, tentatively standing up for herself and believing in her own worth. A powerful listening experience is enhanced by Williams's fluid performance."