Title: This Golden State

Author: Marit Weisenberg

Date Read: January 17, 2023

Snapshot of the Book

Seventeen-year-old Poppy has lived her entire life off the grid with her family, part of a mysterious group with unexplained abilities. When circumstances force her to flee, she finds herself navigating the outside world for the first time, enrolled in a California high school, and questioning everything she's been taught about her family, their gifts, and the danger they've been running from.

This contemporary YA novel brilliantly balances elements of magical realism with a grounded coming-of-age story. Weisenberg explores themes of identity, belonging, and the courage it takes to question the truths we've inherited. The California setting—from remote compounds to suburban high schools—becomes almost a character itself, representing both freedom and vulnerability.

Snapshot of the Book in My Classroom

This novel provides excellent opportunities for discussing narrative reliability and perspective. Poppy's limited worldview creates natural teaching moments about:

• Unreliable narration: As Poppy discovers her family's lies, students analyze how limited perspective shapes storytelling
• World-building through detail: Weisenberg reveals Poppy's sheltered upbringing through her reactions to everyday things like smartphones and social media
• Character voice: Poppy's unique perspective creates a distinctive narrative voice that evolves as her world expands

The book's exploration of found family versus biological family resonates strongly with teenagers navigating their own identity formation. Students connect with Poppy's struggle to define herself apart from her family's expectations while still honoring where she comes from.

I've used excerpts to teach sensory writing—Weisenberg's descriptions of Poppy experiencing ordinary things for the first time (like trying ice cream or hearing pop music) demonstrate how fresh perspective can make the familiar feel extraordinary.

Snapshot of the Book in My Life

Reading about Poppy's journey from isolation to connection felt particularly meaningful. Her struggle to trust others while maintaining her authentic self mirrors challenges we all face when entering new communities or phases of life.

The book's treatment of special abilities as both gift and burden resonated with my experience as an educator. Like Poppy learning to use her powers responsibly, teachers must balance their influence carefully, knowing when to guide and when to step back.

Weisenberg's portrayal of California—the golden light, the ocean, the sense of possibility—brought back memories of my own travels there. The setting reinforced the book's themes of reinvention and hope, reminding me that sometimes we need to leave what we know to discover who we truly are.