Description
Description
"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.
"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 the Author
About the Author
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.
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
With its relatable and sympathetic protagonist, complex setting, and exceptional emotional range, this title is easy to recommend.--Publishers Weekly, starred review
Reminiscent of Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye, but appropriate for a much younger audience.--New York Times
Debut novelist Williams takes readers through an emotional, painful, yet still hopeful adolescent journey . . . . [A] story that may be all too familiar for too many and one that needed telling.-- "Kirkus Reviews, starred review"
Powerful.--Booklist
Compelling . . . . Readers will rejoice.--BCCB
With a name like Genesis, it's hard to be the 'new girl' at school and remain unnoticed in a suburban classroom, especially if you are self-conscious about how you look. Teenaged Genesis struggles to accept both her skin color and her place in her complicated family. Alicia D. Williams skillfully develops a character who--with the help of friends, teachers, and some awesome bluesy music--learns to love herself and her family as she realizes that black is indeed beautiful. I really loved this debut novel.--Sharon M. Draper, author of the New York Times bestseller Out of My Mind
This is a sensitive and nuanced portrayal of a girl grappling with hard truths about her family and her own feelings of self-worth. A must for all collections.-Kefira Phillipe, Nichols Middle School, Evanston, IL--School Library Journal STARRED REVIEW "February 2019"
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
Publisher:
Bound to Stay Bound Books
Pub date:
2019-01-15
Length:
364 pages
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