A Boy Called Bat

A third-grader nicknamed Bat lives with his veterinarian mom and older sister. When his mother brings home an orphaned baby skunk that needs around-the-clock care, Bat becomes determined to prove he can be its caretaker. Bat faces challenges in his daily life - he prefers routines, dislikes strong smells and loud noises, and sometimes struggles to connect with others. His growing bond with the skunk kit leads him to learn new things about animal care while navigating relationships with his family, his teacher, and his classmates. The story follows Bat's month-long journey to convince his mother to let him keep the skunk as a pet. Along the way, he conducts research, seeks advice from experts, and works to demonstrate his responsibility. This middle-grade novel explores themes of neurodiversity, family dynamics, and the transformative power of caring for others. Through Bat's perspective, readers gain insight into different ways of experiencing and moving through the world.

Readers appreciate the authentic portrayal of a child on the autism spectrum, with many parents noting their children see themselves in Bat's character. Teachers report the book works well for classroom discussions about neurodiversity and empathy. Positive reviews highlight: - Natural inclusion of autism characteristics without making them the main focus - Realistic family dynamics and sibling relationships - Educational elements about veterinary care and skunks Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Limited plot development - Some found it too gentle/mild for older readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (580+ ratings) "The small details ring true," notes one parent reviewer. "My son finally found a character who thinks like him." A teacher writes: "Perfect for teaching perspective-taking to 3rd-5th graders." Some reviewers wanted more conflict: "Sweet but not much happens plot-wise."

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🦨 Author Elana K. Arnold drew inspiration for Bat's character from her own son, who shares many traits with the book's protagonist, including a deep love for animals. 🦨 The skunk kit in the story is based on real science - mother skunks sometimes do abandon their babies, and wildlife rehabilitators can indeed hand-raise orphaned skunks. 🦨 The book has received multiple awards, including being named to the 2018 Global Read Aloud program, which connects students worldwide through shared reading experiences. 🦨 While writing the book, Arnold consulted with experts in veterinary medicine and autism spectrum disorder to ensure accurate representation of both fields. 🦨 The story sparked two sequels: "Bat and the Waiting Game" and "Bat and the End of Everything," forming a trilogy that follows Bat's continued growth and adventures.