A Shimmering Splash cover

A Shimmering Splash

Author: Bentley, Sue

Reading Metrics

Grade Level Middle Grades (MG 4-8)
Book Level 4.3
Points 2.0
Fiction/Nonfiction Fiction
Word Count 10600
Points per Word 0.000189
Page Count 115
Points per Page 0.017391
Series Magic Kitten

Description

Lorna travels to a remote Scottish island for a summer holiday with her cousins Callum and Ruth, only to find that they've become distant as Callum follows a new group of friends and Ruth is often grumpy. Feeling left out, Lorna spends her days exploring the island alone until she discovers a fluffy ginger-and-white kitten named Flame hidden in a basket of wool. The kitten's playful company helps her connect with her cousins again and turns a lonely holiday into an adventure.

Quick Summary

Lorna's arrival on a remote Scottish island feels off when her cousins Callum and Ruth seem distant and caught up with new friends, but everything shifts when she discovers a stray ginger-and-white kitten she names Flame. The story mixes the charm of windswept beaches, misty hills, and a tight-knit island community with the small-but-mighty drama of a child learning to handle changing friendships and a tiny mystery about where the kitten really belongs. Kids who love animals, especially cats, will be drawn to the tender moments between Lorna and Flame, while the short, fast-paced chapters make it a good choice for reluctant readers who want a story they can finish in a day. There's a gentle hint of suspense Flame's mysterious origins and a hidden cove that keeps the plot moving without any heavy-handed scares, and the ending feels warm and satisfying, offering a hopeful note about family and new beginnings. If you enjoyed the cozy, animal-centric adventure of "The Secret of the Lost Sea" or similar island tales, you'll probably like this one too.