This is an uncomfortable but important read for middle graders and up. Genesis is a beautifully relatable heroine...and whether it's a window or a mirror book for the reader, this explains an insiders view of colorism and how psychologically damaging it really is. TW for emotional abuse, themes of addiction, and self harm.

This book was Ammazing!!!!!! but it was also kinda sad):;
diff recommend for 12- up

Holy cow, this book is amazing. I learned so much from it about colorism, strength in adversity and self-awareness. I would love to have Genesis as a friend, she rocks.

Colorism is insidious, and Genesis Begins Again is an illuminating portrait of how it affects kids from birth. Heartwarming and heartbreaking in turns, Genesis's story is worth reading by all readers.

Genesis longs for friends, and for her daddy to love, her, but believes that the way she looks is preventing both of those things. She will do anything to change her appearance, but when things start to look up for her in a new school, will she begin to understand her own worth? Heartbreaking and beautiful.

An intimate portrait of the life of a 13-year-old girl who struggles with self-loathing. She is part of an intact family, but where do you cross the line from keeping the family together to putting the father's needs above the child's? Unfortunately the faith in her grandmother's life does not translate into the love and support Genesis needs. The world Genesis lives in is unfamiliar to me and this novel opens my eyes to the struggles of young women like her. Many young tweens and young teen girls will be able to relate to Genesis and root for her.