Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Genesis Begins Again is not an easy read—it's an important one. This is a book that will gut-punch you with its honesty about colorism, self-hatred, and family dysfunction, then slowly rebuild you with hope and self-acceptance.

Alicia D. Williams doesn't sugarcoat Genesis's pain or the damage done by internalized racism and abusive family dynamics. The self-harm content is real and requires trigger warnings. But the payoff—watching Genesis find things to love about herself, watching her cross items off that list—is genuinely powerful.

This isn't a book you hand to a struggling 10-year-old and hope for the best. It's a book for mature middle schoolers (12+) who can handle heavy themes, ideally with adult support for processing. It's also a book that will spark conversations many families need to have about beauty standards, colorism, and mental health.

If your kid is ready for it, this is enriching as hell. If they're not, wait. The content is too serious to stumble into unprepared.

Age Fit

This is for mature middle schoolers (12+) and up. The self-harm, abuse, and heavy emotional themes require a reader who can process difficult content. Many reviewers suggest 7th grade minimum, and honestly, some 12-year-olds might not be ready. Know your kid. Adults will also find this deeply moving.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

65

Tackles internalized racism, colorism, verbal/emotional abuse, and self-harm with sensitivity and ultimately arrives at self-acceptance. The journey is painful but hopeful—Genesis learns to love herself. However, the family dysfunction (gambling, drinking, verbal abuse) and Genesis's self-harming behavior are heavy and emotionally difficult, even if handled with care. This isn't light reading, but it models growth through adversity.

Imaginative

72

The concept of Genesis keeping a numbered list of reasons she dislikes herself is a creative narrative device that gives structure to her internal struggle. The book invites readers into the psychological landscape of a 13-year-old grappling with identity and self-worth. While it's not fantasy or world-building, it's emotionally imaginative in how it explores the interior life of a Black girl confronting colorism and family chaos.

Safe

45

Multiple serious content warnings: emotional abuse, verbal abuse, self-harm/self-deprivation, alcoholism, gambling addiction, and themes of internalized racism and colorism. Genesis actively harms herself in attempts to 'fix' her appearance. This is not a book a child should stumble into unprepared—it requires emotional maturity and ideally parent/teacher guidance. Common Sense Media and multiple reviewers flag these triggers prominently. The book is well-intentioned and ultimately hopeful, but the content is genuinely difficult.

Enriching

88

Exceptional in tackling colorism within the Black community, internalized racism, family dysfunction, and self-acceptance. Compared to Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye and praised by Sharon M. Draper. Offers profound opportunities for empathy, understanding systemic and internalized oppression, and discussing mental health. The 4.8 Amazon rating and starred Kirkus review underscore its impact. This is a book that will stick with readers and spark important conversations about identity, self-worth, and the damage of beauty standards.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Tackles colorism and internalized racism with unflinching honesty—a rare and necessary conversation starter
Genesis's journey from self-hatred to self-acceptance is emotionally powerful and ultimately hopeful
Praised by Sharon M. Draper and compared to Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye—this is literary middle-grade with real weight
Opens doors to discussing mental health, family dysfunction, and the damage of beauty standards in age-appropriate ways
High ratings (4.8 on Amazon, starred Kirkus review) suggest it resonates deeply with readers who are ready for it

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What to Watch For

Self-harm content: Genesis actively tries to lighten her skin and change her appearance in harmful ways
Family dysfunction is front and center—dad's gambling and drinking, evictions, verbal abuse from family members
Emotionally heavy throughout; this isn't a fun read, it's an important one that requires maturity
Best approached with adult support for processing the themes—not a 'hand it over and walk away' book

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Genesis keeps that list? Have you ever felt like you wanted to change something about yourself?"
"What do you think about how Genesis's family treats her versus how her friends see her?"
"Let's talk about colorism—why would people within the same community judge each other based on skin tone?"
"Genesis tries to 'fix' her family by harming herself. What are healthier ways she could have handled those feelings?"
"What moment in the book do you think was the turning point for Genesis starting to accept herself?"

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