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Walden Pond Press

A Boy Called Bat: Heartwarming Story of a Boy and his Pet Skunk (The Bat Series, 1)

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At a glance

Condition
New
Dimensions
5.12 x 0.45 x 7.62 in
Weight
14.7 oz
Publisher
Walden Pond Press
Publication date
March 13, 2018
Edition
Reprint
Language
English

Description

The first book in the Schneider Award Honor-winning young middle grade series starring an unforgettable young boy on the autism spectrum.For Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed Bat), life tends to be full of surprises—some of them good, some not so good. Today, though, is a good-surprise day. Bat’s mom, a veterinarian, has brought home a baby skunk, which she needs to take care of until she can hand him over to a wild-animal shelter.But the minute Bat meets the kit, he knows they belong together. And he’s got one month to show his mom that a baby skunk might just make a pretty terrific pet."This sweet and thoughtful novel chronicles Bat’s experiences and challenges at school with friends and teachers and at home with his sister and divorced parents. Approachable for younger or reluctant readers while still delivering a powerful and thoughtful story" (from the review by Brightly, which named A Boy Called Bat a best book of the year).Elana K. Arnold's Bat series is a proven winner in the home and classroom—kids love these short illustrated young middle grade books. Read more

Specs 10

Publisher Walden Pond Press
Publication date March 13, 2018
Edition Reprint
Language English
Print length 224 pages
ISBN-10 0062445839
ISBN-13 34
Item Weight 14.7 ounces

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Top Amazon Reviews

Great Reading for an eight year old
Format: Paperback
Suggested summer reading for my granddaughter going into third grade; she loved it. She’s eight.
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2026 by Love Reading
Heartwarming and Realistic
Format: Paperback
My students loved this story. They want to read the second book of the series.
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2026 by Amazon Customer
Exceptional Quality
Format: Paperback
My school will be doing One School One Book next year and this is the book that we picked. I truly enjoyed reading this book as it was an easy reader and I couldn't put it down. The kids are going to love this!!
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2026 by Pat Cassutt
Zegreek
Format: Paperback
Excellent book for young people
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2026 by zegreek
Great story for (some) kids with autism
Format: Kindle
I recently read this book aloud to my son (an 8-year-old affected by ASD) as a bedtime story. At a pace of a few chapters each night, it took us about a week. This is a book that my son could have easily read independently; I'd guess that this story would be accessible to most kids reading around a third grade level. From my perspective, this was a sweet (though not especially exciting or gripping) peek into the mind and life of a child with "high-functioning" autism. The author never explicitly states that the main character, Bat, is on the spectrum, but she devotes a lot of time to implying that he is by describing symptomatic behaviors and characteristics. To me, the thin plot made the story feel a bit flat, but I think that was one reason why my son loved it; the relative lack of conflict and tension makes the story feel comforting and stable. My son really identified with Bat and frequently became excited by all of their commonalities: a love for animals and facts about animals, divorced parents and the disruptions caused by shared custody, anxiety and sensory sensitivities, difficulty connecting with peers...even the sibling relationship between Bat and his neurotypical older sister. It was as if Bat had become the friend that my son has yet to make, and I know that reading about him made my child feel less isolated in the world. For that reason alone, this book was well worth the purchase. I really love seeing a kiddo like Bat (and my own son) represented in children's literature, and I feel that the author did a wonderful job of portraying his quirks and needs in a fair, compassionate, and affirming manner. I'd definitely recommend this story to animal-loving kids who are (or know/love someone who is) affected by Aspergers-like ASD. Readers who do not fall within that specific category may have a little trouble feeling engaged by this particular book, but it was perfect for us. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2018 by Dayna
Sweet, believable story.
Format: Hardcover
Elana K. Arnold has written a delightful book that I really enjoyed reading. But I also found it an important book because the main character is what many would call neurodiverse or to be more specific: autistic. While that is not stated specifically, it becomes clear in Bat's behavior that communicating with others is difficult for him. One thing that I especially appreciated is that Bat's difficulties are portrayed as just a natural part of him that he and his family live and work with. Bat's challenges aren't made out to be all there is to him. Bat's love for and fascination with animals shines through loud and clear as Bat tries to persuade his mom to let him care for an orphaned baby skunk until it's time to return it to the wild. The interactions between Bat and his classmates (he does go to a private school) and Bat and his sister Janie feel natural and real both the good and the bad. In addition to having realistic characters and believable situations in regard to Bat, there is also the fact that Bat's parents are divorced and he spends every other weekend with his Dad. I loved how real this whole story felt and the way the animal facts and Bat's challenges are so beautifully woven together. This is a book that I think ALL elementary libraries should have and a great one for personal collections as well. Definitely going on my shelf of favorites. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2017 by Heidi Grange
Family friendly, neurodivergent MC, and great for animal lovers!
Format: Paperback
Such a sweet series! This story follows a neurodivergent MC who has a soft spot for animals. If your kiddo is an animal lover, this book is for you! These books gently tackle things like fitting in and friendship, in such a warm way.
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2026 by Chelsea DiCicco
Heartwarming and engaging
Format: Paperback
Absolutely wonderful book. This book is so on point, it hits on so many small nuances that we forget about in everyday life
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2026 by kathi johansen
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