Welcome to Windows & Mirrors, where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences. Today we are featuring GENESIS BEGINS AGAIN by Alicia D. Williams.

Thirteen-year-old Genesis has a list of 96 things she doesn’t like about herself––the texture of her hair, the darkness of her skin, the fact that her family keeps being evicted with their belongings thrown outside for the whole wide world to see, that her dad has a gambling problem (and maybe a drinking problem too),…

All Genesis truly wants is to be beautiful like her mama, a lighter-skinned African American woman with lovely hair. Instead she is charcoal-dark black like her daddy. Everyday life is filled with unending insults about the width of her lips, how broad her nose is, the texture of her hair, the darkness of her skin. Her grandma wishes that Genesis’ mom hadn’t married such a dark-skinned man because she’s sure his skin color is related to all their misfortune. Even her dad wishes she looked more like her mama.

Constant negative messaging causes Genesis to grapple with intense self-hate. Desperate to improve herself, she tries lemon juice, soaking in bleach, scrubbing her skin with a scouring pad, soaking in milk, anything and everything that will give her a chance to morph into someone who can be loved and who can love herself. But in the midst of her self-loathing and dealing with family issues related to their poverty, Genesis discovers she has a talent for singing. Her choir director, Ms. Hill, notices it too and encourages Genesis to participate in the talent show. But how can she stand up on the big stage in front of everyone if she is so ugly?

As Genesis prepares for the talent show, she makes a few real friends who appreciate her. Their positive energy combined with Ms. Hill’s is just enough of a spark for Genesis to begin her journey of self-acceptance and maybe even self-love.

GENESIS BEGINS AGAIN is a courageous and triumphant book. Most of us encounter negative messaging that makes us dislike different things about ourself. Genesis’ story puts those hard truths on the page so we can process the harm we do ourselves by letting those voices speak to us and consider the harm we do others when we thoughtlessly say things that should never be said. Genesis’ voice is strong, yet vulnerable. Her growth from sad, abused girl to resilient, happy thirteen-year-old with new “real” friends is inspiring.

One important highlight of GENESIS BEGINS AGAIN is the power we each have over influencing someone’s life for the good. For Genesis, her chorus teacher Ms. Hill recognizes something special in her. This seed she plants in Genesis launches Genesis on a positive path of self-discovery. My Ms. Hill was a chemistry teacher who saw I was more than the poverty-stricken, quiet girl in her class. Everyone deserves a Ms. Hill in their lives. Maybe it should be you.

GENESIS BEGINS AGAIN is one of those stories that sticks with you. I can’t recommend it highly enough for classrooms and discussions. I believe it’s a strong Newbery and National Book Award contender too. But more importantly, Genesis’ story needs to be shared far and wide. Ask for it at your local bookstore and library. Donate copies to book drives and classrooms.

Check out this NPR audio interview with the author.

Alicia D. Williams is a graduate from Hamline’s MFA program. She is also an oral storyteller in the African American tradition and a teacher in Charlotte, NC. Connect with Alicia on her website, on Twitter, or on Instagram. If you have the opportunity to meet her in person, do yourself a big favor and make it happen! She is a lovely, caring person full of positive vibes and goodness.