Review: "Genesis Begins Again," by Alicia D. Williams

Genesis is used to moving around. She knows her dad struggles - with keeping a job, with alcoholism, with kindness. Her mom works hard to make ends meet, but when she comes home to find all their furniture on the lawn - AGAIN - and gets embarrassed in front of girls from her school, she is done. She doesn't want to move again. She doesn't want to stay with her overbearing grandmother. She doesn't want to start another new school. But she does. She begins again. Her new school is in a nicer neighborhood than where she was in Detroit. She feels self-conscious about her dark skin color and secretly tries to find ways to lighten her skin. Dealing with her problems with her dad and hiding her true self has Genesis all in knots. Luckily, she finds some supportive new friends at her new school and has the chance to overcome all the insecurities she's feeling.

Mrs. Denney's Rating: ***

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