Today we are excited to share a guest post from author Ama Ofosua Lieb (Goldenborn).
Read on for more about the author, the book, and what she has to say!
Meet the Author: Ama Ofosua Lieb
Ama Ofosua Lieb was born in Ghana, and has lived in Canada, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Nigeria, and South Africa. She now resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and their two young children. She holds an MA in Sociology and a BA in Economics, both from Stanford University. Goldenborn is her debut novel.
About the Book: Goldenborn
A GOOD MORNING AMERICA YA BOOK CLUB PICK
A girl with a mission. A god with a deal. A story that could change everything.
When 17-year-old Akoma Addo stumbles into a world of ancient gods and modern magic, she’ll have to choose between saving her father… or staying true to everything she’s ever believed.
Akoma Addo has one rule: don’t get too close to the supernatural.
Ever since a blazing orb of light left her father in a coma, she’s buried herself in her secret job investigating magical crimes in San Francisco’s AfricaTown — just enough to keep her grief at bay. But when a body turns up in a pool of molten gold and ash, Akoma’s pulled into something much bigger — and far more dangerous. At the center of it all is Anansi, the trickster god of stories, who makes her an impossible offer: help him catch a killer and awaken the ancestral magic buried deep in her blood… and in return, he’ll give her a chance to bring her father back. To take the deal, Akoma will have to lie to everyone she loves and embrace the very power she’s spent years trying to deny. And as her connection grows with Xander, the new guy in town with secrets of his own, Akoma must decide who she can trust — especially when she’s no longer sure she can even trust herself. Rooted in Ghanaian mythology and packed with mystery, danger, and slow-burning romance, Goldenborn is a gripping fantasy about legacy, lies, and what it really means to rewrite your story.
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~ Guest Post ~
Three Things I Loved as a Teen That Made It onto the Pages of Goldenborn
They say to write what you know, and while Goldenborn is full of magic, mystery, and danger, some of the details came from real parts of my own teenage years. I loved weaving in moments, rituals, and passions that shaped me as a teen and finding ways to let them be reflected in Akoma’s story. Here are three of them.
(1) Found Family
I was lucky to form some of my closest friendships at seventeen, when I started college—friendships I can still rely on today. Those bonds taught me that family is not only about blood. Sometimes it’s also about the people who choose you, show up for you, challenge you, and love you through every version of yourself.
In Goldenborn, Akoma’s childhood best friends are integral to her story. They bring humor, support, and comfort, especially during one of the hardest moments of her life. Because found family is so important to me, I wanted to show the power of those bonds in the novel. Akoma receives a lot of love from her friends, but she also gives that same loyalty and care right back.
(2) Fashion
I wore a school uniform for many years growing up, so whenever I had the chance to wear non-uniform clothing, I took it seriously. Fashion became an important form of self-expression for me. I loved bold colors, playful patterns, and pieces that made me feel like I was exploring different versions of myself. Accessories were especially fun. To me, big hoop earrings, bangles, and combat boots could announce my mood.
That love of fashion shows up in Goldenborn in both mundane and magical ways. Akoma wears fingerless gloves as one of her daily signature accessories, and she enjoys getting fashion advice from her best friend, Lara. One scene that was especially fun to write—not a spoiler—captures the excitement of having a friend help you get dressed for a first date. Choosing the perfect outfit with someone who knows you well can be a treasured ritual, full of fun and care.
(3) Sports
As a teen, I loved being part of competitive sports. I played softball, volleyball, field hockey, and ran track. I loved the rush of competition and the camaraderie of being on a team.
In Goldenborn, Akoma is a runner and enjoys archery. Thanks to a potential love interest, she also learns a new sport—one I had to familiarize myself with in order to write the scene well. I had a lot of fun using sports to reveal different sides of Akoma’s personality, especially her competitive streak. It also felt exciting to let sports become a way for her to connect and flirt with a date!
Title: Goldenborn
Author: Ama Ofosua Lieb
Release Date: 6/2/26
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Genre: YA Fantasy
Age Range: 12+
