Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Saunders
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Surprising Afro-futurist novel with teen girl detective.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
When GOLDENBORN begins, it is the year 2051, and 17-year-old Akoma lives in AfricaTown, the last remnant of San Francisco, California, most of which was leveled by a major earthquake. Her father is in a coma after being swallowed up and spit out by a blazing orb of light. To get answers, Akoma seizes an opportunity to join the International Magical Crime Alliance Group, or Intermag, an investigative unit that masquerades as a division of the San Francisco Police Department.
Is It Any Good?
This is an ambitious novel with surprising plot twists and thought-provoking characters. Goldenborn is reminiscent of Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower and Neil Gaiman's American Gods. It brings Ghanian-American culture to life in an engaging way that may be fun for readers unfamiliar with West African culture and offers welcome representation for readers who belong to that group. The one weakness of the book is that the pacing seems awkward at times; some scenes feel rushed, while others drag. The story feels resolved, and the book can stand alone, though there are some intriguing loose ends that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the planned sequel.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the importance of sharing family stories in Goldenborn. How does doing that increase the characters' empathy for one another? How does their curiosity about others contribute to self-understanding? Are there stories about your own family or ancestors you'd like to know more about?
Why do you think the author chose to tell this story from two different perspectives? How did that structure shape the way the story unfolded?
The characters use a lot of futuristic products like self-driving cars. What were the most intriguing technologies in the book? What technologies intrigue you in real life? Are there any that frighten you?
In the course of her quest, the main character sometimes lies to the people closest to her. Do you think she maintains her integrity even when not telling the truth? Why or why not?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Dads ) , Fantasy
- Character Strengths : Curiosity , Empathy , Integrity
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Scholastic
- Publication date : June 2, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 16
- Number of pages : 416
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : August 14, 2026
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