Become a reviewer
Join our dedicated community of junior reviewers! Get a free book to review, have your review published on the site and if you're really lucky get noticed by the author too!
Shadow Cat Summer
Book Review
The vivid and poetic writing makes it easy to visualise the events and sets the scene beautifully
I found Shadow Cat Summer easy to read as the chapters were very short (some only one page long!)
I liked the way the publishers printed a few passages in bold with paw prints around the edges to show what the cat was thinking (you can see an example of a page below).
The book follows the twins Alex and Katrina with their new friend Sandy – the main protagonists – on their summer holidays in the Scottish Highlands, as they struggle to get proof that something is living near their residence and attacking animals. As well as the small illustrations at the start of every chapter, the vivid and poetic writing makes it easy to visualise the events and sets the scene beautifully.
There is a touching, subtle secondary storyline talking about the serious matter of alcoholism and the effects it has on the family. The mum is unable to look after her children for a while and they go to stay with their aunt whilst she is in hospital. Each twin responds differently to this situation.
I enjoyed reading this story because I would always want to pick it up again as the events seemed to get worse throughout the book. I hadn’t read a story with this subject matter before and I found it sad for anyone in this situation.
I think this book is perfect for age 11 and over as the main protagonists are just about to start secondary school. It’s full of adventure in a beautiful location and I feel that these events could happen in real life.
About the Book
This story is primarily about families and friendships and nature. There is an underlying mystery for the characters to solve that will keep a young reader turning the pages whilst the context of the twins’ visit to Scotland, whilst their mother is unwell, is also touched upon in a sensitive way that could serve as an introduction to a discussion about mental health and addiction.
This book contains charming black and white illustrations by Dawn Treacher at the beginning of each chapter that are a lovely addition, as well as the paw prints that our young reviewer comments on.
Author
Rebecca Smith
Rebecca Smith is a British author who has written six novels, two works of non-fiction, and a picture book. She teaches creative writing at the University of Southampton and draws on her family history and Jane Austen’s life in many of her works.
Illustrator
Dawn Treacher
Dawn Treacher is a British children’s book author, illustrator, and plush artist based in North Yorkshire. She writes whimsical fantasy-adventure novels—such as 'Pandemonium of Parrots'—while also crafting soft sculpted creatures from recycled materials under her Treacher Creatures brand.
Reviewer Profile
Iona, 11
- Reviews: 15
- Likes: reading, listening to music, climbing
- Dislikes: getting up too early
- Favourite Book: Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman
- Favourite Film: After
- Favourite Song: When the Sun Goes Down by Arctic Monkeys
Would you like to read the book too?
Find out more about the title by clicking on the button below
Why not order it from an indie bookshop close to home? Or, you’ll get a discount and make a small donation (£0.30) towards the cost of posting books to our reviewers via the link above
Alternatively, please visit your local library and enquire about its availability, if you can’t find it on the shelf
Happy Reading:)
