"Reminiscent of Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye." -The New York Times "One of the best books I have ever read...will live in the hearts of readers for the rest of their lives." -Colby Sharp, founder of Nerdy Book Club "An emotional, painful, yet still hopeful adolescent journey...one that needed telling." -Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "I really loved this." -Sharon M. Draper, author of the New York Times bestseller Out of My Mind This deeply sensitive and "compelling" (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 wasn't born looking like Mama. -Because she is too black. Genesis is determined to fix her family, and she's willing to try anything to do so...even 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.

A tender-souled boy reeling from the death of his best friend struggles to fit into a world that wants him to grow up tough and unfeeling in this stunning middle grade novel in verse from the Newbery Honor-winning author of Genesis Begins Again. It's the summer before high school and Isaiah feels lost. He thought this summer was going to be just him and his homies Drew and Darius, hangin' out, doing wheelies, and watching martial arts movies--a lot of chillin' before high school and the Future. But more and more, Drew will barely talk to him--barely even look at him--and though he won't admit it, Isaiah knows it's because of Darius, because Darius is...gone. And Isaiah wasn't even there when it happened, with his best friend in his final moments. But he's going to be there now. Him and Drew both, they're gonna spend the summer breaking every single record they can think of, for Darius, for his dream of breaking world records. But Drew's not the same Drew, and Isaiah being Isaiah isn't enough for Drew anymore. Not his taste in music, his love for D&D, his interest in taking photos, or his aversion to jumping off rooftops. The real Isaiah is sensitive; he's uncool. And one day something unspeakable happens to Isaiah that makes him think Drew's right. If only he could be less sensitive, more tough, less weird, more cool, more contained, less him, things would be easier. But how much can Isaiah keep inside until he shatters wide open?