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Star Split
In 3038, thirteen-year-old Darci Murlowe uncovers an underground movement to save the human race from genetic enhancement technology, in a provocative novel which explores the ethics of cloning and genetic engineering. Reprint.
203 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
7 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Lasky
266 books2,276 followersKathryn Lasky, also known as Kathryn Lasky Knight and E. L. Swann, is an award-winning American author of over one hundred books for children and adults. Best known for the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series, her work has been translated into 19 languages and includes historical fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
April 27, 2017
I gave this book five stars because of the influence it had on my life. It was one of the first sci fi novels I read and it ultimately encouraged me to major in biology.
I found the story gripping and well-paced, but some of the concepts and vocabulary were not well explained. This makes it tough for the reader to grasp some concepts unless they've already had an introductory biology course, which most readers wouldn't have taken at this age level.
I found the story gripping and well-paced, but some of the concepts and vocabulary were not well explained. This makes it tough for the reader to grasp some concepts unless they've already had an introductory biology course, which most readers wouldn't have taken at this age level.
September 27, 2008
Darci is thirteen and just starting to wonder about her world and what (if any) sense it makes. Living as a Genhaunt in the year 3038, Darci has suddenly been interested in the Originals, the group of people who cannot afford the 48th chromosome and are therefore considered below her rank. Because of a school field trip she starts thinking about her parents' embroykins--and why they picked her. She kind of drops the subject though when she gets an amazing opportunity to attend a superb rock climbing camp far away. When she gets there she realizes that climbing is more important than ever--but there's a surprise waiting for her there that brings everything she knows to a crashing halt.
What could have been an interesting book turned out to be a huge disappointment loaded down with too much scinece jargon and loses the reader completely. It was a bit of a struggle to get through and I found myslef having to constantly re-read paragraphs to get through. The jacket says that it is intended for 10-14 year olds, but I cannot envision many ten-year-olds understanding or enjoying this. It has an interesting premise, but Lasky got too caught up in the science and ruined what could have been a decent novel.
What could have been an interesting book turned out to be a huge disappointment loaded down with too much scinece jargon and loses the reader completely. It was a bit of a struggle to get through and I found myslef having to constantly re-read paragraphs to get through. The jacket says that it is intended for 10-14 year olds, but I cannot envision many ten-year-olds understanding or enjoying this. It has an interesting premise, but Lasky got too caught up in the science and ruined what could have been a decent novel.
October 23, 2013
I think the author had a good concept, but the execution left something to be desired. What could have been a really good book, left me unfulfilled in the explanation of certain terms, and why things had happened to make the world what it was. What was a Zolnotz? Why were they minorities? How could they have entirely lost the meaning of the word Original in just 1000 years? I don't know enough about linguistics, and the etymology of words to know whether there are words out there that we now use, that we don't know the origin of, but I would guess that there aren't very many. I would have loved the book to be another 50-100 pages longer to explain many of the questions the author left me with.
October 30, 2009
Pretty average for a futuristic biological engineering book. I didn't like that key happenings in the story were totally glossed over. It's all about her feelings and introspection, then when something finally HAPPENS, it takes only one paragraph. The author suddenly says, "And then it was footsteps and police and the whole family was taken to prison." Too much time was spent on the girl theorizing what the word "original" meant, and not enough time was spent on the plot line.
October 30, 2022
I remembered this book from elementary school, but only a few sparse details, so I was very happy that I finally managed to track it down. It was worth a reread, and I would highly recommend it for elementary or middle schoolers.
Set 1000 years in the future, this book tells the story of the Bio Union, a future civilization based on genetic enhancement of humans. Those whose ancestors were rich enough to afford it have been augmented with a 48th chromosome; these people are called Genhants, and they form the upper crust of society, while the Originals, those who still just have 46 chromosomes, form a segregated underclass. But even the Originals receive some genetic benefits; all children in this society are conceived via IVF, which has eliminated most genetic diseases.
Everything in this society revolves around genetics: there's a deep society-wide belief in genetic determinism (that you, as a person, are no more than your genes); genetic engineer is a very high-status job; the highest honor the society can bestow upon you is "umbellation", where you are cloned and grown in near-identical conditions (each year several great scientists and artists are chosen for umbellation); and the highest crime that you can commit is unauthorized cloning. In the past, there were fewer rules around genetic selection and cloning, leading to a boring world where all sports teams were composed of clones of the same few famous athletes; now, in addition to the rules around cloning, there are also rules around genetic selection which say you can't deliberately select for "the Vanities", which are traits associated with physical beauty.
I rate books not on an absolute scale, but based on what they are; this is a YA book for elementary and middle schoolers, and compared to other books in that genre, I thought this one had really good worldbuilding, and was fleshed out in surprising detail, with lots of scientific information included, and lots of exploration of the higher-order consequences of genetic engineering. Because it's a YA novel, I will forgive it for all the things I found unrealistic: this is around the year 3000, but suburban families still sit around the TV together and people still die in car crashes; other than genetic engineering, the technology in this society is identical to ours today. Also, I found it unrealistic that the Genhants and Originals were not visually distinguishable; however, I really liked how the cultural differences between them were handled. It was implied that these cultural differences were somehow based on the genetic differences, but these were cultural differences on the order of, like, whites vs. blacks in the US, and I felt that they were treated similarly: with the Genhants looking down on the Originals and their cultural norms, but the Originals still holding a certain fascination for some Genhant children.
Anyway, I don't actually want to complain about unrealism, because I think this is basically the perfect amount of new stuff to introduce for the target audience. It was definitely mindblowing to me when I read it in elementary school; I think it was my first introduction to these sorts of ideas. Highly recommend.
Set 1000 years in the future, this book tells the story of the Bio Union, a future civilization based on genetic enhancement of humans. Those whose ancestors were rich enough to afford it have been augmented with a 48th chromosome; these people are called Genhants, and they form the upper crust of society, while the Originals, those who still just have 46 chromosomes, form a segregated underclass. But even the Originals receive some genetic benefits; all children in this society are conceived via IVF, which has eliminated most genetic diseases.
Everything in this society revolves around genetics: there's a deep society-wide belief in genetic determinism (that you, as a person, are no more than your genes); genetic engineer is a very high-status job; the highest honor the society can bestow upon you is "umbellation", where you are cloned and grown in near-identical conditions (each year several great scientists and artists are chosen for umbellation); and the highest crime that you can commit is unauthorized cloning. In the past, there were fewer rules around genetic selection and cloning, leading to a boring world where all sports teams were composed of clones of the same few famous athletes; now, in addition to the rules around cloning, there are also rules around genetic selection which say you can't deliberately select for "the Vanities", which are traits associated with physical beauty.
I rate books not on an absolute scale, but based on what they are; this is a YA book for elementary and middle schoolers, and compared to other books in that genre, I thought this one had really good worldbuilding, and was fleshed out in surprising detail, with lots of scientific information included, and lots of exploration of the higher-order consequences of genetic engineering. Because it's a YA novel, I will forgive it for all the things I found unrealistic: this is around the year 3000, but suburban families still sit around the TV together and people still die in car crashes; other than genetic engineering, the technology in this society is identical to ours today. Also, I found it unrealistic that the Genhants and Originals were not visually distinguishable; however, I really liked how the cultural differences between them were handled. It was implied that these cultural differences were somehow based on the genetic differences, but these were cultural differences on the order of, like, whites vs. blacks in the US, and I felt that they were treated similarly: with the Genhants looking down on the Originals and their cultural norms, but the Originals still holding a certain fascination for some Genhant children.
Anyway, I don't actually want to complain about unrealism, because I think this is basically the perfect amount of new stuff to introduce for the target audience. It was definitely mindblowing to me when I read it in elementary school; I think it was my first introduction to these sorts of ideas. Highly recommend.
July 12, 2013
Darci Murlowe is a thirteen-year-old girl living in 3038. She is a Genhant, a genetically enhanced human who has been implanted with a 48th chromosome. Most people are now Genhants, and their DNA composition is carefully chosen before they are born. There are also few people whose ancestors could not afford additional chromosomes; they are named Originals and live as outcasts.
During the summer, Darci goes to rock climbing camp, and meets a girl identical to herself, Vivian. As Darci was born first, Vivian must be her "copy". The two girls are terrified: in their society, unauthorized cloning is the worst crime, punished with death for the perpetrators and all the cloned people. Vivian and Darci know that they must keep their meeting a secret, or they could be sentenced to death together with their parents.
Star Split by Kathryn Lasky is a science fiction/slightly dystopian book for the 10-14 age group. There's a lot more introspection than action. Many scientific terms are introduced in the book without an explanation. They were easy to understand for me, as an adult interested in the subject, but they might be obscure for younger readers, who usually have very little or no prior knowledge of biology. The title, Star Split, comes from a Shakespeare quotation, which Darci finds as a fragment at the dead languages laboratory.
Cloning, as a subject, has always fascinated me. I remember when I was assigned an essay on the topic. It was 1998, shortly after the experiment of the Dolly sheep. I immediately recognized this book as written in that period, too, even before reading the afterword by the author. Actually, as the author states, setting this novel more than a thousand year in the future seems kind of excessive, because science could get there a lot sooner.
All in all, an enjoyable book, if you like science fiction. Its main problems consist in having very little action (as compared to time devoted to reflection) and presuming that readers already have knowledge in biology, which is not very common in the 10-14 age group.
**Read and reviewed as part of Presenting Lenore's Dystopian August**
During the summer, Darci goes to rock climbing camp, and meets a girl identical to herself, Vivian. As Darci was born first, Vivian must be her "copy". The two girls are terrified: in their society, unauthorized cloning is the worst crime, punished with death for the perpetrators and all the cloned people. Vivian and Darci know that they must keep their meeting a secret, or they could be sentenced to death together with their parents.
Star Split by Kathryn Lasky is a science fiction/slightly dystopian book for the 10-14 age group. There's a lot more introspection than action. Many scientific terms are introduced in the book without an explanation. They were easy to understand for me, as an adult interested in the subject, but they might be obscure for younger readers, who usually have very little or no prior knowledge of biology. The title, Star Split, comes from a Shakespeare quotation, which Darci finds as a fragment at the dead languages laboratory.
Cloning, as a subject, has always fascinated me. I remember when I was assigned an essay on the topic. It was 1998, shortly after the experiment of the Dolly sheep. I immediately recognized this book as written in that period, too, even before reading the afterword by the author. Actually, as the author states, setting this novel more than a thousand year in the future seems kind of excessive, because science could get there a lot sooner.
All in all, an enjoyable book, if you like science fiction. Its main problems consist in having very little action (as compared to time devoted to reflection) and presuming that readers already have knowledge in biology, which is not very common in the 10-14 age group.
**Read and reviewed as part of Presenting Lenore's Dystopian August**
September 10, 2016
A pretty decent dystopian society read for early teens. I feel this book would resonate especially well with girls, but then again, what would I know - I'm certainly not one of them.
There is an old joke - you are unique just like everyone else. This book starts with the premise that this is not true. Your genetics define your future is the government line and the protagonist questions that line.
Heavy on introspection and light on action this book is a pretty quick read with nothing jumping out as offensive. Some people complained that it is a little science heavy but I did not have any problems following those parts. On the other hand, I am an adult who has read science books for fun. Target audience may not comprehend as well.
This book was a solid 3.5 right up until the afterward. The afterward takes the theoretical science presented as science fiction and links it to what is currently 13 year old or older science reports. The author states in the after word that setting this 1000 years in the future is the largest scientific stretch in the plot as she feels we may reach this point much sooner.
There is an old joke - you are unique just like everyone else. This book starts with the premise that this is not true. Your genetics define your future is the government line and the protagonist questions that line.
Heavy on introspection and light on action this book is a pretty quick read with nothing jumping out as offensive. Some people complained that it is a little science heavy but I did not have any problems following those parts. On the other hand, I am an adult who has read science books for fun. Target audience may not comprehend as well.
This book was a solid 3.5 right up until the afterward. The afterward takes the theoretical science presented as science fiction and links it to what is currently 13 year old or older science reports. The author states in the after word that setting this 1000 years in the future is the largest scientific stretch in the plot as she feels we may reach this point much sooner.
August 11, 2016
A disturbing, but thought provoking, tale of the dangers of cloning. Set in the third millennium, Darci is a Genhant, a genetically enhanced human. Everyone she knows is genetically engineered; "Originals" are few and outcasts from society. They go to a different school, study a different curriculum, and are not allowed to associate with Genhants. The gravest sin in the Bio Union is the unauthorized cloning of individuals. This crime is punishable by death for the offenders and all "copies". At a climbing camp Darci meets her "copy". She and Vivian are terrified realizing what this could mean for their families and themselves. Lasky's writing can be somewhat more technical than some readers would prefer, but her discussion of the dangers of cloning and what it could mean for humanity if taken to the logical extreme is frightening. An excellent way to introduce younger readers to Huxley's Brave New World.
February 25, 2016
This book is about biology and how each character is different fro each other. The chromosome number will determine what group of people you will fit with. The main character, Darci, had discovered that there is another copy of her, Vivian. They were both nervous and shocked. Then suddenly everything changed, the girls kept this quiet so no one would know. They later on figured out that it wasn't just them that had been cloned.
I gave this book a star because I liked how the book keeps leading you on and wanting to figure out how their life is slowly changing. What I don't like about this book is that there are many new biological characters and some of the chapters chapters are quite boring.
This book was separated by the chapters. Some of the vocab that the author use are made up by her. There are many biology terms used in this book such as nitrogen bases, chromosomes, adenine, etc. There are some parts of the book where she wants to point out using a italic font.
I gave this book a star because I liked how the book keeps leading you on and wanting to figure out how their life is slowly changing. What I don't like about this book is that there are many new biological characters and some of the chapters chapters are quite boring.
This book was separated by the chapters. Some of the vocab that the author use are made up by her. There are many biology terms used in this book such as nitrogen bases, chromosomes, adenine, etc. There are some parts of the book where she wants to point out using a italic font.
June 19, 2008
This book had a lot of interesting science in it, and thought-provoking critiques of genetic engineering, but it lacked something that I can't quite put my finger on...it was like the story was too simplistic to fully expand on the ideas in it, or was maybe aimed toward too young of an audience, or....i don't know. It was just okay, even though I really liked its ideas. And I realized I'd read it before and forgot. That's never a good sign. Usually I can at least remember that I've read something before if it's any good. Meh.
May 1, 2012
This sci-fi book was about a girl named Darci who is trying to find out the meaning of the word 'Original'. She went to this rock climbing camp and when she was rock climbing she met a girl named Vivian. She found out that Vivian was her umbula (copy). Umbellation was a crime in this world so if anyone found out that Darci was umbellated then she, her umbula and her parents would get arrested.
I didn't really like this book because it was really confusing for me to understand in the beginning. I enjoyed the end way more than the beginning.
Personally, I do not recommend this book.
I didn't really like this book because it was really confusing for me to understand in the beginning. I enjoyed the end way more than the beginning.
Personally, I do not recommend this book.
January 24, 2008
Although I enjoyed the over all storyline, the book was full of paragraphs diving deep into the technical aspect full of technical terms that sometimes bored me and sometimes lost me completely. As a fictional story I could have done without the feeling of suddenly having picked up a science book which I had to decipher before I could get back to the storyline. The ending was also a bit abrupt.
February 26, 2009
This book was really confusing for me... Then again I did read it when I was like seven. From what I sort of understand.... It is about twins and then something later happens where they have to choose which twin needs to die to save their world.... but it is in the future... but don't go off my review... because like i said WAY confusing.
January 4, 2010
I liked this book. It had some interesting perspectives on where genetic engineering was taking us as a society. Some of the procedures seemed a bit far-fetched, but it suppose could someday be possible (who knows?). Overall it was a pretty good book though, the plot was very good, and the characters well developed.
May 1, 2012
This book is about an adventure to find out what ORIGINAL means and what copies are different from her. Darci, the main character finds out that she has an umbula which tells her that her parents are criminals but a deep reason was behind it. At the end of this book, Lana and Stella rescues Darci, Vivian and her family in misery.
May 17, 2012
This book kind of stinks. Nothing really interesting happened until I got halfway the book. also, I still do not get everything and I keep on having to read sentences over, either because I was skimming through because it was so boring, or because I did not get it. I could re-write this book in 5 sentences.
Read
August 20, 2014I read this at some point in elementary school for a "lit circle" assignment. Years later, all I could remember was that it was some sort of semi-dystopian novel that involved genetic engineering, the word "Star" somewhere in the title, and chimerism. I'm really glad I found it again because I'd like to reread it some time.
March 30, 2015
I reread this book because some of my students were reading it for a book club and it was really confusing them. After finishing again I can see how some of the science in the book might've been a little confusing for them. The author did quite a bit of research on genetics before writing the book. Overall, with some explanation it's a great book for sixth-graders.
Read
May 10, 2008This sounds good and was highly recommended by a student, but it's OP so I won't be able to buy it for the library.
Update: Could have been a readalike for Uglies, but too slow-moving and too much jargon; stopped around 50 pages.
Update: Could have been a readalike for Uglies, but too slow-moving and too much jargon; stopped around 50 pages.
April 26, 2012
The book was ok, but I started to understand and come into the book in the middle in the book. I thought that it was interesting that she had an umbula, and she was not aware of it. I do understand the parents, though.
November 13, 2007
In a world where people are genetically designed to perform in specific careers, a girl finds herself face-to-face with an illegal clone of herself, a crime punishable by death.
December 9, 2007
I know I've read this, yet it's supremely forgettable. I remember the gist, and I'm fairly certain it was unoriginal and kind of annoying.
May 3, 2009
It was an entertaining book, both educational and something to think about. A good reminder about how important the concept of the soul is. Science can only go so far.
June 14, 2009
it was good...but a tad slow in the middle
January 7, 2010
ughhhh the writing was horrible-like a 10 year old wrote it or something. the author also makes up random terms that she doesnt explain until a chapter later, and it was just CONFUSING.
August 10, 2010
This book did make me think more about genetic research and cloning. But the story did not capture my attention.
August 28, 2010
Interesting idea. A look at individuality in a futuristic society entirely based on genetic engineering. A quick read.
January 7, 2011
Interesting concept.
Read
August 8, 2011We are not just the sum of our genetic material, we are our soul . That is the message of this scifi.
July 26, 2012
A great description of the problems faced in the future. Overall, I liked this book a lot, although it was confusing at times.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews