Genesis Begins Again facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 
First edition
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| Author | Alicia D. Williams |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Atheneum |
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Publication date
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January 15, 2019 |
| Pages | 400 |
| Awards | Newbery Honor |
| ISBN | 978-1-4814-6580-9 |
Genesis Begins Again is a book for young people written by Alicia D. Williams in 2019. It tells the story of Genesis Anderson, a thirteen-year-old girl. Her family often has to move because her father struggles with a problem that affects their home. Genesis also faces unfair treatment and bullying because of her skin color, both at home and at school. These challenges are important parts of the story. Genesis Begins Again was Alicia Williams' first book. It was highly praised and won a Newbery Honor and the "Steptoe Award for New Talent".
What the Story is About
Genesis Anderson is a thirteen-year-old girl living in Detroit. Her father has a problem with gambling. This causes their family to lose their home many times. Genesis and her father have darker skin. Her mother has lighter skin. Genesis is often bullied at school because of her skin color. She also blames herself for the problems at home. She even keeps a list of all the things she thinks are wrong with her.
One day, Genesis gets to spend time with some popular girls from her school. She invites them to her house. When they arrive, all their furniture is outside. Her family has been evicted again because her father did not pay the rent. Genesis and her mother go to live with her grandmother. Genesis starts attending a new school.
At her grandmother's house, Genesis hears ideas about skin color that are not fair. For example, her grandmother talks about the "paper bag test." This was an unfair way some people used to see if someone's skin was "light enough." At her new school, Genesis is no longer bullied. She meets Troy, a boy she likes. She also joins the chorus after discovering she is a talented singer.
Genesis is encouraged to join the school's talent show. Her father comes to watch her perform. He tells Genesis why he developed his problem. He also tells her he is determined to overcome it.
Important Ideas in the Book
One main idea in Genesis Begins Again is how people can be treated unfairly because of their skin color. This is called colorism. The book shows how this can affect a young person's life. Genesis, the main character, is often bullied by her classmates. They call her names because of her darker skin. Her father, who also has darker skin, has a problem that causes their family to move many times.
Genesis's family on her mother's side has lighter skin. They believe in unfair ideas about skin color. They even use the "paper bag test" to see if someone's skin is "light enough." Genesis's skin is not considered "light enough" by them. Genesis is surrounded by family struggles with housing and her father's problem. She starts to believe that the only way to make things better is to straighten her hair and lighten her skin. She tries to do this.
Awards and Recognition
Genesis Begins Again was a finalist for the "Kirkus Prize." It also received a Newbery Honor in 2020. The Newbery Honor is a very important award for children's books. Alicia Williams also received the "John Steptoe Award for New Talent" for her writing. This award celebrates new African American writers and illustrators of children's books.
The book was listed as one of Kirkus Reviews' "Best Books of 2019." It was also on the 2020 Association for Library Service to Children list of "Notable Children's Books."
