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The Splintered Light
In a world without color, eleven-year-old Ishmael lives a monotonous existence, herding sheep and helping his widowed mother with their meager farm after the premature death of his father. Early one morning, a ray of light pierces a pane of glass in the barn, fragmenting Ishmael’s black and white world into something extraordinary: a spectrum of color he never knew existed. Ishmael embarks on a search to understand just what it is that he sees, a search that leads him to the Hall of Hue, one of seven creative workshops at the Commons.
In The Splintered Light, Ginger Johnson creates an astonishing universe filled with color amid the gray.
In The Splintered Light, Ginger Johnson creates an astonishing universe filled with color amid the gray.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published September 4, 2018
11 people are currently reading
440 people want to read
About the author
Ginger Johnson
2 books36 followersWhen Ginger Johnson was six, her mother asked her what she wanted for Christmas. “A typewriter,” she said. She didn’t get a typewriter, but instead had to make do with pencil and paper for her writing endeavors. Thankfully, she now works on an iMac.
Since those early days, Ginger has put her fingers to work. She earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts where she won the Marion Dane Bauer prize. In 2014, she received Honorable Mention for the SCBWI Work-in-Progress Grant. Her debut middle-grade novel, A Splintered Light (Bloomsbury) will be released in September 2018.
Ginger lives in the Seacoast area of New Hampshire with her husband the Gingerbread Man, her two sons, a coop of sassy chickens, and a tank of doctor fish.
Since those early days, Ginger has put her fingers to work. She earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts where she won the Marion Dane Bauer prize. In 2014, she received Honorable Mention for the SCBWI Work-in-Progress Grant. Her debut middle-grade novel, A Splintered Light (Bloomsbury) will be released in September 2018.
Ginger lives in the Seacoast area of New Hampshire with her husband the Gingerbread Man, her two sons, a coop of sassy chickens, and a tank of doctor fish.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
February 21, 2019
You know in the beginning of The Princess Bride, when they say that Buttercup is in the Top Ten Most Beautiful Women in the World, and that's just on potential alone? I feel that way about this book. The potential of it, the places she could go in sequels, is staggering. Oh, I so hope there are sequels! This was such a strange yet beautiful concept, and the descriptions of color, of light, were so lush! I wanted to know so much more. It wasn't a perfect book, but you can certainly see how it caught the attention of her agent, and then a publisher. Johnson clearly has a gift, I'm very interested in seeing what she does next!
April 13, 2018
I adored The Splintered Light! The joys of the senses and the glories of creation shine in this radiant middle-grade debut.
May 6, 2018
#kidlitexchange #partner
The Splintered Light by Ginger Johnson. Oh my goodness, where to even start with this beautiful middle grade fantasy.
Ishmael lives in a colorless world working on his family’s small farm, filled with grief after the disappearance of his older brother Luc, and then the tragic death of his father.
One morning while doing chores, a ray of light shows Ishmael a spectrum of color he never knew existed. His mother and sister, however, cannot see it. Upon questioning his mother, she reveals that Luc didn’t disappear, he too could see the colors and followed a calling to The Commons to be a Color Keeper.
Ishmael sets out to find his brother to tell him about their father and bring him back home to help their mother, but to also find answers about the colors he can see. He finds Luc in the Hall of Hue, one of the seven creative workshops at The Commons. The other halls are Shape, Manufactory, Motion, Sound, Scent and Gustation.
While Ishmael is there a catastrophe destroys nearly all of the color and light. Ishmael and Luc are suddenly at severe odds and Ishmael is torn between family and his destiny.
This book was so stunning and creative. I could hardly put it down. It was inspiring and one of those books you can’t stop thinking about after you’ve read it. I never saw some of the plot twists coming and I enjoyed the ending but am really hoping Ginger Johnson will write more about this world.
The Splintered Light releases 9/4/18, and this will definitely be one that I preorder!
The Splintered Light by Ginger Johnson. Oh my goodness, where to even start with this beautiful middle grade fantasy.
Ishmael lives in a colorless world working on his family’s small farm, filled with grief after the disappearance of his older brother Luc, and then the tragic death of his father.
One morning while doing chores, a ray of light shows Ishmael a spectrum of color he never knew existed. His mother and sister, however, cannot see it. Upon questioning his mother, she reveals that Luc didn’t disappear, he too could see the colors and followed a calling to The Commons to be a Color Keeper.
Ishmael sets out to find his brother to tell him about their father and bring him back home to help their mother, but to also find answers about the colors he can see. He finds Luc in the Hall of Hue, one of the seven creative workshops at The Commons. The other halls are Shape, Manufactory, Motion, Sound, Scent and Gustation.
While Ishmael is there a catastrophe destroys nearly all of the color and light. Ishmael and Luc are suddenly at severe odds and Ishmael is torn between family and his destiny.
This book was so stunning and creative. I could hardly put it down. It was inspiring and one of those books you can’t stop thinking about after you’ve read it. I never saw some of the plot twists coming and I enjoyed the ending but am really hoping Ginger Johnson will write more about this world.
The Splintered Light releases 9/4/18, and this will definitely be one that I preorder!
Read
September 4, 2018This book is over 400 pages (402, in my ARC) and I tore through it. I'm not sure the comparison to The Giver is warranted (this isn't really a dystopian world, and I'm still not sure I understood why The Commons existed and why these things aren't available in the world at large).
Either way, this is an incredibly engaging story. I think middlegrade readers will be absolutely captivated and, hopefully, find some new wonder in the world around them.
Either way, this is an incredibly engaging story. I think middlegrade readers will be absolutely captivated and, hopefully, find some new wonder in the world around them.
May 27, 2018
Reader, let THE SPLINTERED LIGHT shake you out of your grey, bland existence and immerse you in the vivid and resonant world of The Commons, a Hogwarts-ian collection of workshops dedicated to arts of creation. Written with precise and mind-blowing imagery, Johnson’s ode to the power of creativity and collaboration will speak to young readers looking to make their mark on the world.
December 1, 2018
There are very few books that I can say BLEW MY MIND while reading, but this is most definitely one.
August 28, 2018
The goodreads synopsis for this book fooled me into thinking I would enjoy it. Maybe I should stop reading middle grade.
The cover is what pulled me in immediately. The spectrum of color ensconced in the grayscale of the rest of the picture was super fascinating. I needed to know what this story was about. The answer: It’s about a load of nothing. From the very beginning, I didn’t understand the purpose of this story. Was he trying to help his mother? Well yes, but no because he pretty much forgets about her. Was he trying to reconnect with his brother? Well yes, but no because his brother turns out to be a whining pile of crap. It wasn’t a romance. It wasn’t adventurous. What was it then? If I can’t tell what your book is from the first 35%, then you need to reevaluate some things.
I dreaded continuing to read this book, that’s how much I didn’t enjoy it. I did DNF at around 35%, so maybe it gets better. But if I don’t like your book within the first 15%, then I have no business continuing, and I’m disappointed I wasted my time as long as I did.
The cover is what pulled me in immediately. The spectrum of color ensconced in the grayscale of the rest of the picture was super fascinating. I needed to know what this story was about. The answer: It’s about a load of nothing. From the very beginning, I didn’t understand the purpose of this story. Was he trying to help his mother? Well yes, but no because he pretty much forgets about her. Was he trying to reconnect with his brother? Well yes, but no because his brother turns out to be a whining pile of crap. It wasn’t a romance. It wasn’t adventurous. What was it then? If I can’t tell what your book is from the first 35%, then you need to reevaluate some things.
I dreaded continuing to read this book, that’s how much I didn’t enjoy it. I did DNF at around 35%, so maybe it gets better. But if I don’t like your book within the first 15%, then I have no business continuing, and I’m disappointed I wasted my time as long as I did.
September 4, 2018
Ishmael lives a dreary life since his father's death and his older brother’s disappearance. Every day on the farm is the same in Ishmael’s colorless world. Until one day Ishmael sees something impossible: a spectrum of color! This discovery leads Ishmael to search for his brother, who he finds at The Commons, a mysterious place of creation and design. Ishmael’s brother, Luc, lives and trains in the House of Hue, where he is almost finished with his Color Keeper training. Ishmael is quickly drawn into this world where his color abilities impress even the Color Master. And as Ishmael struggles with his duty to his family back home and his desire to follow his destiny at The Commons, disaster strikes, setting him on a path he never could have dreamed of.
Ginger Johnson’s middle-grade The Splintered Light, is a bright and astonishing debut! Full of lovely storytelling, colorful imagination, wonderful world-building, and engaging characters, The Splintered Light is a sparkling delight from beginning to end.
The fantastical world Ginger Johnson has spun together and the creative story she has crafted feel wholly original, yet with all the makings of becoming a classic. With lush, rich, intricate world-building and fantasy elements Johnson masterfully brings The Commons and its seven Houses- Shape, Manufactory, Motion, Sound, Scent, Hue, and Gustation (food)- to life. Like Ishmael, young readers will be captivated and inspired by this immersive and vibrant world and eager to discover all of its secrets. Ishmael makes for an endearing and relatable hero, while his fellow classmates and Masters make for intriguing and amusing supporting characters. Johnson takes both readers and Ishmael on a surprising and unforgettable journey full of twists and turns, wonderful, messy mistakes, and dazzling creation.
Imagination, creativity, creation, the importance of collaboration and working together, and the power of individuality reign supreme, both at The Commons and in The Splintered Light, inspiring readers to discover their own radiant hues and the amazing things they can become and do. Heartfelt, beautifully crafted, and with a story that readers will feel deeply, The Splintered Light is a must read!
Ginger Johnson’s middle-grade The Splintered Light, is a bright and astonishing debut! Full of lovely storytelling, colorful imagination, wonderful world-building, and engaging characters, The Splintered Light is a sparkling delight from beginning to end.
The fantastical world Ginger Johnson has spun together and the creative story she has crafted feel wholly original, yet with all the makings of becoming a classic. With lush, rich, intricate world-building and fantasy elements Johnson masterfully brings The Commons and its seven Houses- Shape, Manufactory, Motion, Sound, Scent, Hue, and Gustation (food)- to life. Like Ishmael, young readers will be captivated and inspired by this immersive and vibrant world and eager to discover all of its secrets. Ishmael makes for an endearing and relatable hero, while his fellow classmates and Masters make for intriguing and amusing supporting characters. Johnson takes both readers and Ishmael on a surprising and unforgettable journey full of twists and turns, wonderful, messy mistakes, and dazzling creation.
Imagination, creativity, creation, the importance of collaboration and working together, and the power of individuality reign supreme, both at The Commons and in The Splintered Light, inspiring readers to discover their own radiant hues and the amazing things they can become and do. Heartfelt, beautifully crafted, and with a story that readers will feel deeply, The Splintered Light is a must read!
August 4, 2018
The Splintered Light
by Ginger Johnson
Age level: 9 and up
Description: "Ever since his brother Luc's disappearance and his father's tragic death, Ishmael has lived a monotonous existence helping his mother on their meager farm where everything is colorless. Until one morning a ray of light fragments Ishmael's gray world into something extraordinary: a spectrum of color he never knew existed. Emboldened, Ishmael sets out to find answers hoping his long lost brother might hold the key."
I loved The Splintered Light. The writing is beautiful. The characters are engaging. The plot is exciting. Oh, and the colors. They do not disappoint. The messages of the book are important and relatable to current society.
I could talk for days about the beauty of this book. As the characters learn, when each part of a whole is allowed to shine, beautiful work is created. Between each chapter, little storylines for minor characters are weaved in, enhancing the reading experience. Additionally, for a book where the characters can't see color, the imagery is clear and tangible.
I loved the lessons The Splintered Light conveyed. The story promotes collaboration as well as lifting up those who have strengths different from your own. The book also illustrates how good intentions do not always equate to positive impacts and the importance of taking responsibility when that happens. Finally, The Splintered Light is a story about forgiveness. Ishmael has to forgive himself as well as learn when it's okay to give up on a person.
I highly recommend The Splintered Light to all those looking for a beautifully-written story about strength and art. You can find it in stores on September 4th, 2018.
by Ginger Johnson
Age level: 9 and up
Description: "Ever since his brother Luc's disappearance and his father's tragic death, Ishmael has lived a monotonous existence helping his mother on their meager farm where everything is colorless. Until one morning a ray of light fragments Ishmael's gray world into something extraordinary: a spectrum of color he never knew existed. Emboldened, Ishmael sets out to find answers hoping his long lost brother might hold the key."
I loved The Splintered Light. The writing is beautiful. The characters are engaging. The plot is exciting. Oh, and the colors. They do not disappoint. The messages of the book are important and relatable to current society.
I could talk for days about the beauty of this book. As the characters learn, when each part of a whole is allowed to shine, beautiful work is created. Between each chapter, little storylines for minor characters are weaved in, enhancing the reading experience. Additionally, for a book where the characters can't see color, the imagery is clear and tangible.
I loved the lessons The Splintered Light conveyed. The story promotes collaboration as well as lifting up those who have strengths different from your own. The book also illustrates how good intentions do not always equate to positive impacts and the importance of taking responsibility when that happens. Finally, The Splintered Light is a story about forgiveness. Ishmael has to forgive himself as well as learn when it's okay to give up on a person.
I highly recommend The Splintered Light to all those looking for a beautifully-written story about strength and art. You can find it in stores on September 4th, 2018.
August 22, 2019
**Contains Spoilers - Read at your own risk**
It's going to be difficult to write a review without delving into my theories about the deeper meaning of this book; please dm me if you want to discuss. I'd LOVE to share with people who have read this book and need to talk about it.
Moving ahead with the review:
Summary
Ishmael is an eleven-year-old boy who lives a simple farm life with his mother "mam" and two younger siblings. He used to have a father and older brother, but his father died and his older brother, Luc, disappeared. One day, Ishmael sees an unusual gleam of light shine onto his boot - and is able to move the light to other areas of the barn! It gives him a joyful feeling, something foreign to Ishmael ever since pa and Luc left. His mam feels the strain of caring for two young children, and Ishmael resolves to find Luc and bring him home so he can help them survive.
Ishmael journeys to the Commons, a gated community at the top of the mountain after Mam admitted that Luc is living there. The Commons turns out to be a school for people who have special abilities. Some can see color (like Ishmael and Luc), some are tuned into sound, some have affinity with flavors, scents, objects, shape, movement, building, and more! Each apprentice is sorted into a "Hall" based on his ability. Ishmael discovers that Luc is in the Hall of Hue, and that Color Master wants Ishmael to stay and become an apprentice due to his incredible ability (he is much younger and has more aptitude than other apprentices).
As much as he resists being brought into the community, Ishmael cannot resist the joy that color brings him. He meets other young people with his same ability and they soon become a team, a "spectrum" in learning the principles of color. Although his goal was to bring Luc home, the Commons has taken hold of his heart and soul. It's getting harder and harder to leave. The end goal of each apprentice is to create a "posticum," a place to live that each Hall contributes to. Luc's posticum is almost finished, and Ishmael is surprised to learn that everything is the same color - gold! Luc wants his motto to be "My color, my world." This is not the helpful, caring brother that Ishmael remembers.
Things get worse for the brothers when Luc gets locked out of his posticum; it has closed before Luc could get inside. Now, it's gone forever and Luc can never live in his golden creation. Ishmael blames himself and so does Luc. Soon, the Head Master announces that there will be a new Jubilee posticum opening, a contest open to all levels of apprentices from each hall. Whoever is chosen will have a hand in creating the posticum, to honor the vision of the Commons' founder, Godfrey Wright. *wink*
Ishmael wants Luc to win so he will have a place to live. He knows Luc will not leave and help the family, so his goal is now for the brothers to at least be reconciled. In a serendipitous turn of events, Ishmael wins the contest and is tasked with coloring everything that the others create for the posticum! This includes the sea, land, sky, flora, and fauna. Everything is against him, including his once-beloved brother, and he must enlist the help of the other artisans from ALL the halls in order to succeed. Up until this point, collaboration between halls was unheard of and it is not embraced by everyone right away. Can a humble farm boy become the leader in a project to create a beautiful world? To what lengths will he go to succeed? Will Ishmael and Luc ever be brothers again?
Review
“You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.”
― Madeleine L'Engle
When it comes to writing book reviews, I'm never at a loss for words. This book renders me speechless.
Let's start at the beginning. The feature that drew me to this book in the first place was the cover. Rainbows are a gourmet meal for my eyes. To me, color is beauty and beauty is color. It looked like the boy on the cover is waving a wand to create a rainbow. I skimmed the jacket but I honestly bought this book based on the cover alone.
The cover did not disappoint - this is one of the best books I've ever read! It hooked me after a few chapters. It contained elements of 4 other books/series I loved: Phantom Tollbooth (for the tone, and the journey of the main character), The Giver (for young apprentices being given a job based on their skills), Harry Potter (the Commons can be compared to Hogwarts in a way), and His Dark Materials (for the multi-dimensional worlds within the Commons and the early signs of love in young teenagers).
It also contained ideas I've never seen in children's, ya or adult books. First off, I loved the idea of children helping to create worlds. And all the characters have Biblical names: Ishmael, Hannah, Michael, Gabriel, Aaron, Ethan, Rebekah, Lilith, Phoebe, Keturah, Thomas, just to name a few. I believe they can all be found in the Bible (yes, even Luc). What a unique idea that certainly got the gears turning in my mind!
Ishmael is a lovable character, not without his flaws. You kind of feel sorry for the tremendous amount of pressure put on an eleven year old. Sometimes I just wanted to hug him and all his friends. I also wish the founder of the Commons, Godfrey Wright, made an appearance, but now that I say it out loud I'm certain he did. I'm also certain that no one will understand this review unless you READ THE BOOK. So I suggest you do that right now.
Usually I like 1st person narratives, but the 3rd person limited fit perfectly here. Mostly, the reader follows Ishmael's journey but some special chapters are dedicated to other characters viewpoints. Even the stones in the wall have inner thoughts.
By the end of the book, I figured out a lot of questions, but so many queries remain unanswered. I can only hope for a sequel, but nonetheless this book with stay with me for a long time. It made me be grateful for my ability to participate in all aspects of the world. It made me view tales of old in a new light. And it made me excited about reading again.
It's going to be difficult to write a review without delving into my theories about the deeper meaning of this book; please dm me if you want to discuss. I'd LOVE to share with people who have read this book and need to talk about it.
Moving ahead with the review:
Summary
Ishmael is an eleven-year-old boy who lives a simple farm life with his mother "mam" and two younger siblings. He used to have a father and older brother, but his father died and his older brother, Luc, disappeared. One day, Ishmael sees an unusual gleam of light shine onto his boot - and is able to move the light to other areas of the barn! It gives him a joyful feeling, something foreign to Ishmael ever since pa and Luc left. His mam feels the strain of caring for two young children, and Ishmael resolves to find Luc and bring him home so he can help them survive.
Ishmael journeys to the Commons, a gated community at the top of the mountain after Mam admitted that Luc is living there. The Commons turns out to be a school for people who have special abilities. Some can see color (like Ishmael and Luc), some are tuned into sound, some have affinity with flavors, scents, objects, shape, movement, building, and more! Each apprentice is sorted into a "Hall" based on his ability. Ishmael discovers that Luc is in the Hall of Hue, and that Color Master wants Ishmael to stay and become an apprentice due to his incredible ability (he is much younger and has more aptitude than other apprentices).
As much as he resists being brought into the community, Ishmael cannot resist the joy that color brings him. He meets other young people with his same ability and they soon become a team, a "spectrum" in learning the principles of color. Although his goal was to bring Luc home, the Commons has taken hold of his heart and soul. It's getting harder and harder to leave. The end goal of each apprentice is to create a "posticum," a place to live that each Hall contributes to. Luc's posticum is almost finished, and Ishmael is surprised to learn that everything is the same color - gold! Luc wants his motto to be "My color, my world." This is not the helpful, caring brother that Ishmael remembers.
Things get worse for the brothers when Luc gets locked out of his posticum; it has closed before Luc could get inside. Now, it's gone forever and Luc can never live in his golden creation. Ishmael blames himself and so does Luc. Soon, the Head Master announces that there will be a new Jubilee posticum opening, a contest open to all levels of apprentices from each hall. Whoever is chosen will have a hand in creating the posticum, to honor the vision of the Commons' founder, Godfrey Wright. *wink*
Ishmael wants Luc to win so he will have a place to live. He knows Luc will not leave and help the family, so his goal is now for the brothers to at least be reconciled. In a serendipitous turn of events, Ishmael wins the contest and is tasked with coloring everything that the others create for the posticum! This includes the sea, land, sky, flora, and fauna. Everything is against him, including his once-beloved brother, and he must enlist the help of the other artisans from ALL the halls in order to succeed. Up until this point, collaboration between halls was unheard of and it is not embraced by everyone right away. Can a humble farm boy become the leader in a project to create a beautiful world? To what lengths will he go to succeed? Will Ishmael and Luc ever be brothers again?
Review
“You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.”
― Madeleine L'Engle
When it comes to writing book reviews, I'm never at a loss for words. This book renders me speechless.
Let's start at the beginning. The feature that drew me to this book in the first place was the cover. Rainbows are a gourmet meal for my eyes. To me, color is beauty and beauty is color. It looked like the boy on the cover is waving a wand to create a rainbow. I skimmed the jacket but I honestly bought this book based on the cover alone.
The cover did not disappoint - this is one of the best books I've ever read! It hooked me after a few chapters. It contained elements of 4 other books/series I loved: Phantom Tollbooth (for the tone, and the journey of the main character), The Giver (for young apprentices being given a job based on their skills), Harry Potter (the Commons can be compared to Hogwarts in a way), and His Dark Materials (for the multi-dimensional worlds within the Commons and the early signs of love in young teenagers).
It also contained ideas I've never seen in children's, ya or adult books. First off, I loved the idea of children helping to create worlds. And all the characters have Biblical names: Ishmael, Hannah, Michael, Gabriel, Aaron, Ethan, Rebekah, Lilith, Phoebe, Keturah, Thomas, just to name a few. I believe they can all be found in the Bible (yes, even Luc). What a unique idea that certainly got the gears turning in my mind!
Ishmael is a lovable character, not without his flaws. You kind of feel sorry for the tremendous amount of pressure put on an eleven year old. Sometimes I just wanted to hug him and all his friends. I also wish the founder of the Commons, Godfrey Wright, made an appearance, but now that I say it out loud I'm certain he did. I'm also certain that no one will understand this review unless you READ THE BOOK. So I suggest you do that right now.
Usually I like 1st person narratives, but the 3rd person limited fit perfectly here. Mostly, the reader follows Ishmael's journey but some special chapters are dedicated to other characters viewpoints. Even the stones in the wall have inner thoughts.
By the end of the book, I figured out a lot of questions, but so many queries remain unanswered. I can only hope for a sequel, but nonetheless this book with stay with me for a long time. It made me be grateful for my ability to participate in all aspects of the world. It made me view tales of old in a new light. And it made me excited about reading again.
Read
May 15, 2018This is such a lovely book! Immersive, original, and beautifully written. I love the fascinating world Ginger Johnson has created and the way this book explores the amazing possibilities of collaboration.
September 18, 2018
Daring, original and thought-provoking, and the writing is gorgeous!
November 21, 2018
Reads quite young, but I love color, scent, movement, etc. based magic.
February 7, 2023
This book was pretty good, but it got a little confusing at the end
March 10, 2019
Different, but extremely satisfying. This book made me happy.
August 29, 2018
Be prepared to rediscover the world around you through this enchanting tale about the joy of beauty and creation, friendship and loyalty, and the pain of loss\disappoinment. Reminiscent of Hogwarts, The Splintered Light includes quirky humor, endearing characters, and plenty of magic! A must-read for the middle-grade reader to the middle-aged!
September 9, 2018
Just. Wow. I read this entire book in one day. It's compelling, thought provoking, and creative. This story will get kids thinking about science, light, and the power of teamwork. I love the complex characters, the coming of age story and the focus on joy.
September 22, 2018
This wasn't my kind of book. It lacked intensity. In this world, most people cannot see color. Ishmael sees it but does not understand what he sees. He leaves his mother who is constantly saying how much she needs his help on the farm. His purpose is to find his brother and bring him back to help. Instead he finds his brother at a "school" for those who can see color and he stays. There were other schools too for shape and scent and manufactory. There were too many to follow. There were a lot of shallow characters that were introduced and not followed. There was a part of the story in which Ishmael said he wanted his brother to win a contest but Ishmael entered the contest too. If he wanted his brother to win why did he enter it? There was implication that Ishmael had something to do with his father's death but no heartbreaking description of why he thought that. I wonder what the purpose of creating things of color and sound and beauty that the outside world can never appreciate is. There was no real tension for me even in the climax of the story.
June 7, 2018
Thanks to the Kid Lit Exchange for the free review copy. All opinions are my own.
In a world with no color, young Ishmael must help his mother provide for his family after the death of his father and the disappearance of his brother Luc. While working in the barn one day, Ishmael discovers a strange light that shines with the full spectrum of colors he has never seen before. Ishmael’s mother reveals that Luc is studying in the mysterious town Commons because he, too, has the gift of color.
Ishmael sets out to bring Luc home. When he arrives at the Commons, everyone quickly learns that he can see color. Ishmael is torn. Should he choose a life of purpose studying within the Hall of Hue, one of the seven halls of creation? Or should he bring Luc home so the two boys can help his mother care for their family?
The idea for the Commons is unique and creative, offering a new explanation for how the shapes, sounds, colors, and movements work together to shape life. I enjoyed piecing together how the creation process worked and the role each hall played in creating new worlds. The Commons had a Harry Potter-like quality to it, with all the students living together and learning from their hall masters.
While the world-building was rich, I didn’t connect as well with the characters. I understood their motivations, but there was not enough depth of personality to draw me in to their struggles. In particular, I had difficulty keeping the secondary characters straight.
The content is appropriate for all middle grade readers, but the author uses expansive vocabulary and introduces abstract concepts that may be better suited to older middle grade readers. THE SPLINTERED LIGHT will appeal to readers who like magic, fantasy, and the idea that we all play a role in shaping the world we live in.
In a world with no color, young Ishmael must help his mother provide for his family after the death of his father and the disappearance of his brother Luc. While working in the barn one day, Ishmael discovers a strange light that shines with the full spectrum of colors he has never seen before. Ishmael’s mother reveals that Luc is studying in the mysterious town Commons because he, too, has the gift of color.
Ishmael sets out to bring Luc home. When he arrives at the Commons, everyone quickly learns that he can see color. Ishmael is torn. Should he choose a life of purpose studying within the Hall of Hue, one of the seven halls of creation? Or should he bring Luc home so the two boys can help his mother care for their family?
The idea for the Commons is unique and creative, offering a new explanation for how the shapes, sounds, colors, and movements work together to shape life. I enjoyed piecing together how the creation process worked and the role each hall played in creating new worlds. The Commons had a Harry Potter-like quality to it, with all the students living together and learning from their hall masters.
While the world-building was rich, I didn’t connect as well with the characters. I understood their motivations, but there was not enough depth of personality to draw me in to their struggles. In particular, I had difficulty keeping the secondary characters straight.
The content is appropriate for all middle grade readers, but the author uses expansive vocabulary and introduces abstract concepts that may be better suited to older middle grade readers. THE SPLINTERED LIGHT will appeal to readers who like magic, fantasy, and the idea that we all play a role in shaping the world we live in.
August 20, 2019
This was a really good book but I couldn't tell who it was written for. It reads as middle grade but the plot was too slow moving. There was intensive world building but I was left feeling a bit detached from the world. I wasn't a huge fan of this book but I think this could become a great series.
April 25, 2022
Ishmael is worried about his family farm. His mom is overworked, his dad died not too long ago, his two little siblings are too young to help, and his older brother Luc disappeared. He decides he needs to go find his older brother, so his mom gives him a book that helps point to where he went. It looks like Luc went to the Commons because he started seeing color. Ishmael also recently noticed strange lights in his barn, but he is going to ignore that he could be a color apprentice and just go home. But only if Luc will go with him. The problem is things aren't as simple as that. Those gifted with the ability to see color, differentiate sounds, have heightened senses of taste, etc. are needed as apprentices in each of the Houses of the Commons to create new worlds. But Ishmael is desperately torn between his ability and his home.
There's a lot of subtle layers of allusion in this. And an advanced literature class could have a splendid time picking it apart. The concept of only being able to perceive certain levels of senses is not a new concept, but may be revolutionary to some readers who haven't read The Giver or other books that play with perception in these kinds of ways. Being color-blind is an easier concept to visualize than not being able to taste everything or hear everything, and I felt like the difference in hearing or tasting could have been explained better. I also felt like it seemed a waste of time to color a newly created world if most of the people who were going to live there couldn't even see it. What is the point? That wasn't really explored at all. I thought the turning point of the book was going to be more revolutionary than it was, and I was disappointed with the outcome. It was close but fell short for me. I also just plain struggled to get through this because as artistically as it is written, it is sadly rather boring. There's no real urgency to the plot, and I knew from chapter 2 where it was headed (though it didn't even go as far as I had hoped), and I doubt middle graders with get half of the allusions or artsy things. However, my hunch is that the right middle grader, with no previous reading of similar books will find this engaging and a revolutionary read. So if you can find that right reader, this will be gold with them.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. An accidental death by a well collapse is mentioned (not described much), and ill-intent that causes damage to an area but no people is part of the plot.
There's a lot of subtle layers of allusion in this. And an advanced literature class could have a splendid time picking it apart. The concept of only being able to perceive certain levels of senses is not a new concept, but may be revolutionary to some readers who haven't read The Giver or other books that play with perception in these kinds of ways. Being color-blind is an easier concept to visualize than not being able to taste everything or hear everything, and I felt like the difference in hearing or tasting could have been explained better. I also felt like it seemed a waste of time to color a newly created world if most of the people who were going to live there couldn't even see it. What is the point? That wasn't really explored at all. I thought the turning point of the book was going to be more revolutionary than it was, and I was disappointed with the outcome. It was close but fell short for me. I also just plain struggled to get through this because as artistically as it is written, it is sadly rather boring. There's no real urgency to the plot, and I knew from chapter 2 where it was headed (though it didn't even go as far as I had hoped), and I doubt middle graders with get half of the allusions or artsy things. However, my hunch is that the right middle grader, with no previous reading of similar books will find this engaging and a revolutionary read. So if you can find that right reader, this will be gold with them.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. An accidental death by a well collapse is mentioned (not described much), and ill-intent that causes damage to an area but no people is part of the plot.
September 3, 2018
Interest Level: 5-8
What if your whole world was gray-just gray- no color whatsoever. What would you think if you were in your barn and all of the sudden you see a rainbow of something bright and colorful and you don't know what it is? This is exactly what happens to Ishmael. He doesn't understand what he is seeing, but he doesn't understand a lot in his life. His father is killed in a freak accident that Ishmael thinks is his fault. His older brother has gone missing and at eleven-years-old he has to be the man on the farm. Ishmael is very frustrated because his mother won't answer any questions about where his brother has gone so he decides one day to go looking for him. He wants him home to help his widowed mother. When he finds his brother he is blown away by what he finds. He learns that his brother is a color keeper and has no plans to ever go home. Ishmael can not believe, until he stays for a few nights, and then Ishmael has doubts that he will ever be able to go home. Will Ishmael go back home to help his mother, or will he stay where he knows he belongs? Read this incredible story of family, friendship, and finding your place in life.
This is a great story about finding yourself and where you belong in the world. It also is a fantastic story to show kids that sometimes when you work together you can accomplish more than being alone. Don't miss this book that has called "reminiscent of The Giver".
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What if your whole world was gray-just gray- no color whatsoever. What would you think if you were in your barn and all of the sudden you see a rainbow of something bright and colorful and you don't know what it is? This is exactly what happens to Ishmael. He doesn't understand what he is seeing, but he doesn't understand a lot in his life. His father is killed in a freak accident that Ishmael thinks is his fault. His older brother has gone missing and at eleven-years-old he has to be the man on the farm. Ishmael is very frustrated because his mother won't answer any questions about where his brother has gone so he decides one day to go looking for him. He wants him home to help his widowed mother. When he finds his brother he is blown away by what he finds. He learns that his brother is a color keeper and has no plans to ever go home. Ishmael can not believe, until he stays for a few nights, and then Ishmael has doubts that he will ever be able to go home. Will Ishmael go back home to help his mother, or will he stay where he knows he belongs? Read this incredible story of family, friendship, and finding your place in life.
This is a great story about finding yourself and where you belong in the world. It also is a fantastic story to show kids that sometimes when you work together you can accomplish more than being alone. Don't miss this book that has called "reminiscent of The Giver".
Follow me:
Blog - Blazer Tales - https://blazertales.weebly.com/
Facebook - Laurie’s Library Place - https://www.facebook.com/LauriesLibra...
Instagram - laurieslibrary - https://www.instagram.com/laurieslibr...
Twitter - @laurieevans27
Goodreads - Laurie Purser - https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/auburngirl2...
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCulD...
November 2, 2018
This book is a combination of The Giver by Lowry and The Book of Genesis with a bit of Harry Potter (Hall of Hues, newbie "apprentices" & a giant dining hall, etc) thrown in. The result? Good but too complicated to be accessible. Lacking intensity & clarifying quotes. Muddled.
This book requires lots of patience. It's not a classic or stand out by a long shot. I abandoned it around p. 150 but picked it up again as I was intrigued by the premise and wanted to see how the story ended.
Too complex for middle schoolers unless they are higher level readers.
At the 1/3 point I wanted to strangle the protagonist, who was fence sitting on a Very Important Decision. ***This is an awful place to be as a reader with stacks of other books begging for time.*** The writing to this point was plodding, not elevating the reader much or propelling the plot forward. The author + editors would have done well to revise further pre-publication. I wanted clearer, striking writing with characters I'd fight for and more action, less telling. I didn't care deeply for any of the characters but Ishmael.
The world building is also faulty. I didn't understand the machines that "created light" and how all of it came together. It was a bit shoddily explained, leaving the reader to fill in bits. Also, the larger cast of characters were thinly drawn in a way that didn't pull me in or enlarge the story much, except to make the author's point that collaboration is much better than working alone.
Great premise & cover art. I expected more from an author who graduated from Vermont College of Fine Arts & quotes one of my favorite poets (little known outside the literary world), Gerard Manley Hopkins. This is Ginger Jonhson's first book; hopefully her writing will improve by the next one.
***WARNING: Possible Spoilers Ahead***
I saw all of the apprentices as possible angels, in the Commons which would construed as Heaven? Each new world that they created & adorned was one of the posticums? Perfectly imperfect, learning as they go, which I can imagine angels & heaven just that way. I like this idea and found it original, just the execution of it fell short.
When the rainbow appeared, it was magical. I was hoping for more magical moments like that. I didn't find many.
And Hannah? What happened to her? She appeared as a possible dear friend to Ishmael (and maybe future love interest?), only to disappear and later magically return at the end? Odd use of a character who could've enriched the story so much more.
This book requires lots of patience. It's not a classic or stand out by a long shot. I abandoned it around p. 150 but picked it up again as I was intrigued by the premise and wanted to see how the story ended.
Too complex for middle schoolers unless they are higher level readers.
At the 1/3 point I wanted to strangle the protagonist, who was fence sitting on a Very Important Decision. ***This is an awful place to be as a reader with stacks of other books begging for time.*** The writing to this point was plodding, not elevating the reader much or propelling the plot forward. The author + editors would have done well to revise further pre-publication. I wanted clearer, striking writing with characters I'd fight for and more action, less telling. I didn't care deeply for any of the characters but Ishmael.
The world building is also faulty. I didn't understand the machines that "created light" and how all of it came together. It was a bit shoddily explained, leaving the reader to fill in bits. Also, the larger cast of characters were thinly drawn in a way that didn't pull me in or enlarge the story much, except to make the author's point that collaboration is much better than working alone.
Great premise & cover art. I expected more from an author who graduated from Vermont College of Fine Arts & quotes one of my favorite poets (little known outside the literary world), Gerard Manley Hopkins. This is Ginger Jonhson's first book; hopefully her writing will improve by the next one.
***WARNING: Possible Spoilers Ahead***
I saw all of the apprentices as possible angels, in the Commons which would construed as Heaven? Each new world that they created & adorned was one of the posticums? Perfectly imperfect, learning as they go, which I can imagine angels & heaven just that way. I like this idea and found it original, just the execution of it fell short.
When the rainbow appeared, it was magical. I was hoping for more magical moments like that. I didn't find many.
And Hannah? What happened to her? She appeared as a possible dear friend to Ishmael (and maybe future love interest?), only to disappear and later magically return at the end? Odd use of a character who could've enriched the story so much more.
May 6, 2019
The Splintered Light by Ginger Johnson, 404 pages. Bloomsbury, 2018 $17
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - NOT RECOMMENDED
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Ishmael has a boring life helping his mother and siblings try to survive on their colorless farm. Things were better when his older brother Luc was around and his father was alive. Ishmael decides to find his brother and bring him back to help out. So he enters the commons, a wall/building (?) that no one is permitted to approach. There he discovers that he is a Color Keeper, like his brother Luc, who is there. He can now train to help color little mini worlds, which delights him. Now he must decide to stay and learn or try to get Luc to come home with him. In the meantime a rift forms between he and Luc and Ishmael must try to fix it.
I thought the idea behind this book was intriguing. Colorless worlds with a few people who could see color to fill them. But it really just ended up being long, confusing, and strange. I felt like there would come a time where everything would be explained but that time never came. From an adult perspective I thought it was horrible of him to just assume his mother would be ok. I didn’t buy into Ishmael’s evolution from a small farm boy to a leader that pulls everyone together. On top of everything else, this book was SO SO Long. No way an elementary student would stick with this and the characters are too babyish for a middle school student to keep interest.
Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - NOT RECOMMENDED
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Ishmael has a boring life helping his mother and siblings try to survive on their colorless farm. Things were better when his older brother Luc was around and his father was alive. Ishmael decides to find his brother and bring him back to help out. So he enters the commons, a wall/building (?) that no one is permitted to approach. There he discovers that he is a Color Keeper, like his brother Luc, who is there. He can now train to help color little mini worlds, which delights him. Now he must decide to stay and learn or try to get Luc to come home with him. In the meantime a rift forms between he and Luc and Ishmael must try to fix it.
I thought the idea behind this book was intriguing. Colorless worlds with a few people who could see color to fill them. But it really just ended up being long, confusing, and strange. I felt like there would come a time where everything would be explained but that time never came. From an adult perspective I thought it was horrible of him to just assume his mother would be ok. I didn’t buy into Ishmael’s evolution from a small farm boy to a leader that pulls everyone together. On top of everything else, this book was SO SO Long. No way an elementary student would stick with this and the characters are too babyish for a middle school student to keep interest.
Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
January 16, 2019
To anyone that’s a fan of creation myths, this is definitely the book for you. The Splintered Light takes its reader on a fantastic journey through the concept of building a world full of elements. Its overall concept of building a “posticum” from scratch is beautiful and carefully crafted to make this story shine.
The only reason I didn’t rate this book a full five stars is because I truly feel it should’ve been a series with one book dedicated to each Hall. Because there’s just so much information to pack into this standalone novel, there wasn’t much time for the personalities of each character, even the protagonist Ishmael, to really develop. I would’ve liked to have seen more quirks, as was illustrated with Thomas, and more likes and dislikes and heart of each character individually as opposed to the common goal they shared as a whole. Also, there are several intervals (the darker pages) in the story where the author breaks away from the protagonist and the main storyline to display something that is happening with another, minor character that really doesn’t seem to contribute anything to the plot so that was a tad distracting
The only reason I didn’t rate this book a full five stars is because I truly feel it should’ve been a series with one book dedicated to each Hall. Because there’s just so much information to pack into this standalone novel, there wasn’t much time for the personalities of each character, even the protagonist Ishmael, to really develop. I would’ve liked to have seen more quirks, as was illustrated with Thomas, and more likes and dislikes and heart of each character individually as opposed to the common goal they shared as a whole. Also, there are several intervals (the darker pages) in the story where the author breaks away from the protagonist and the main storyline to display something that is happening with another, minor character that really doesn’t seem to contribute anything to the plot so that was a tad distracting
October 13, 2018
After the death of his father in a tragic accident, Ishmael blames himself and is desperate to help his Mam and younger siblings. Leaving home in search of the older brother who disappeared years ago, he believes that if he can just bring Luc home, things will be better. However, when Ishmael finds Luc he's exposed to a world he had no idea existed and torn between what's best for himself and what he thinks is best for his family.
A delightful story of love and loss and family told through the eyes of a young boy trying to heal. Beware, though, that this one starts a little slowly (hence 4 stars instead of 5), so if it hasn't grabbed you from the first page, persevere - it's worth it! By the time Ishmael reached The Commons and found Luc, I was hooked. The writing just flows seamlessly and the descriptions drew me in and made me want to explore this new world and the people who inhabit it. This is a radiant tribute to the joys of creation and the pains/joys of family.
Highly recommended!
A delightful story of love and loss and family told through the eyes of a young boy trying to heal. Beware, though, that this one starts a little slowly (hence 4 stars instead of 5), so if it hasn't grabbed you from the first page, persevere - it's worth it! By the time Ishmael reached The Commons and found Luc, I was hooked. The writing just flows seamlessly and the descriptions drew me in and made me want to explore this new world and the people who inhabit it. This is a radiant tribute to the joys of creation and the pains/joys of family.
Highly recommended!
May 19, 2020
This is definitely the sort of book you have to read closely...which is difficult if you don't enjoy books with slower pacing. Some of it felt a little too drawn out while other parts were a bit rushed (but those parts might just be me wanting more).
In many ways, this books is entirely unlike anything I've read. It has elements from so many other books I've loved, but it puts everything together in an interesting way. And yet...it's sad how long it took me to have that moment of epiphany. When I went from, "huh, seems like a lot of biblical names..?" to the moment of, "!!!! WHAT YOU DID THERE! I SEE IT!!" Lol. So in another way, this is the oldest story ever told (according to some).
It's a bit of a spoiler for my epiphany, but I think people who don't enjoy stories that fictionalize/retell religion would probably be offended by this book. Personally, I found it delightful!! But I think it can be enjoyed as a story on its own, religious parallels or not.
In many ways, this books is entirely unlike anything I've read. It has elements from so many other books I've loved, but it puts everything together in an interesting way. And yet...it's sad how long it took me to have that moment of epiphany. When I went from, "huh, seems like a lot of biblical names..?" to the moment of, "!!!! WHAT YOU DID THERE! I SEE IT!!" Lol. So in another way, this is the oldest story ever told (according to some).
It's a bit of a spoiler for my epiphany, but I think people who don't enjoy stories that fictionalize/retell religion would probably be offended by this book. Personally, I found it delightful!! But I think it can be enjoyed as a story on its own, religious parallels or not.
July 22, 2018
#partner Thank you @kidlitexchange for a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own. This MG fantasy tells a story of creation, family, friendship, and growing up. Ishmael, a young farmer feeling responsible for the death of his father, searches to find his brother Luc who went missing a while ago. Ishmael finds Luc at a special school and discovers that he, too, has the gift of seeing color. Although Ishmael begins his journey seeking to bring Luc home, he has to choose whether he wants to live a life filled with color or his simple life of hard work with his family. A well-told story, but it is a little slow. There was no part where I felt like I couldn’t put it down. A fantastic concept, but I couldn’t help but feel like it was missing something that would make it a truly great book.
January 4, 2019
I read this because of the comparison to "The Giver" which was my ultimate favorite book when I read it as a child. Maybe I would have liked this as much if I were 12 again but as an adult I was bored by the first 2/3 of the book. The last 1/3 gets interesting when they actually get into the details of making the new world but I can't say that I was surprised by any of it. Maybe the comparison set me up to be disappointed because I kept waiting for the dark twist, the revelation that all was not a peaceful in this interesting place where different talents create different sensations. There was no twist, just a gradual enlightening that as an adult reader I saw coming from the beginning.
It is a slow paced, gentle book which will appeal to middle grade readers who like detailed descriptions and don't like a lot of tension (like my 10yo).
It is a slow paced, gentle book which will appeal to middle grade readers who like detailed descriptions and don't like a lot of tension (like my 10yo).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2019
Not my kind of book. It was a very slow pace that contradicted itself as it tried to take a small intriguing concept and build an entire world out of it. I didn’t care about any of the characters, and there were a lot of them to pick from. The main character annoyed me as he kept saying he had to help his mom on the farm yet he left her to find his brother and then didn’t go back either. Instead he joined the school for people like him who could see more than just the gray world everyone else lived in. Yet they didn’t share that beauty and possibility with anyone outside the school and it didn’t explain why. I didn’t get a strong feeling of the relationship between the brothers either. The book had a lot of potential but was boring and never picked a path that gave it tension and intrigue
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