Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams
Hi, I am Sarah. I am fourteen years old and an avid reader; it is one of my favorite things to do. Inspired by authors’ creations of magnificent places and surprising havens built by simple letters, I aspire to be an author and, meanwhile, nurture the love to write.
Thirteen-year-old Genesis Anderson has a lot going on. After being evicted again because of her dad’s alcohol abuse, she’s facing a new school (again), being laughed at because of her name and her…everything (again), constantly worrying about whether her dad is paying rent or going to his AA meetings (always)… she’s dealing with a full plate. But the worst expectation she’s struggling under is her family’s, and her own, hatred of her dark skin. All Genesis really wants is to be beautiful.
In her new school in the suburbs, however, life isn’t as bad as expected. Genesis finds friends who actually support her, without any strings attached, and a chorus teacher who encourages Genesis to let her singing talent out of her room. Navigating the world of middle school is hard, even without any of the extra things Genesis is dealing with, but everything seems to be finally going her way… until it just isn’t anymore.
Genesis Begins Again is an honest, poignant, funny, and thoughtful story of the journey to self-love and acceptance. Though it’s written to a younger audience, I think everyone should read this book, because inside of each of us are our own barriers to self-love that we each must overcome. Alicia D. Williams has written an ode to beauty—beauty that comes from loving ourselves for who we are instead of what we supposedly should become.
