âReminiscent of Toni Morrisonâs The Bluest Eye.â âThe New York Times
âOne of the best books I have ever readâŚwill live in the hearts of readers for the rest of their lives.â âColby Sharp, founder of Nerdy Book Club
âAn emotional, painful, yet still hopeful adolescent journeyâŚone that needed telling.â âKirkus Reviews (starred review)
âI really loved this.â âSharon M. Draper, author of the New York Times bestseller Out of My Mind
This deeply sensitive and âcompellingâ (BCCB) debut novel tells the story of a thirteen-year-old who must overcome internalized racism and a verbally abusive family to finally learn to love herself.
There are ninety-six reasons why thirteen-year-old Genesis dislikes herself. She knows the exact number because she keeps a list:
-Because her family is always being put out of their house.
-Because her dad has a gambling problem. And maybe a drinking problem too.
-Because Genesis knows this is all her fault.
-Because she wasnât born looking like Mama.
-Because she is too black.
Genesis is determined to fix her family, and sheâs willing to try anything to do soâŚeven if it means harming herself in the process. But when Genesis starts to find a thing or two she actually likes about herself, she discovers that changing her own attitude is the first step in helping change others.