A Boy Called Bat

A Boy Called Bat, published in 2017, is a realistic fiction novel for young readers. It was written by Elana K. Arnold and illustrated by Charles Santoso. Arnold is a notable author of children’s and teen’s books, as well as books that depict children and teenagers. She has won multiple literary awards, including the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award, and A Boy Called Bat was selected as the 2018 Global Read Aloud. A Boy Called Bat follows Bat, an elementary-aged boy who is on the autism spectrum. Bat, who lives with his mother, Valerie, and older sister, Janie, is elated when his mother brings home an orphaned newborn skunk kit. The kit, Thor, is supposed to stay for a month before going to a rescue organization, but Bat works hard to change his mother’s mind. Through taking care of Thor, Bat learns how to relate better to his family, and makes his first friend. A Boy Called Bat is the first book in a trilogy. Each of the books revolves around the relationship between Bat and Thor, and, in the end, Bat is able to keep his beloved skunk.

This guide is based on the eBook version of A Boy Called Bat published by Walden Pond Press in 2017.

Plot Summary

Bixby Alexander Tam or “Bat” is a third-grade boy who lives with his mother, Valerie, and his sister, Janie. Everyone calls him Bat because his initials are B. A. T., he likes animals, and he flaps his hands when he feels strong emotions. Bat is portrayed as being on the autism spectrum and characterized with multiple traits common to people on the spectrum, including social and communication differences and sensitivities to sounds and textures.

After school one day, Valerie is late coming home from work at her vet clinic. Bat is upset until he discovers that his mother is late because she was taking care of a baby animal. Valerie sits her children down and introduces them to a newborn skunk kit that she saved. The kit’s pregnant mother had been hit by a car, and Valerie managed to save one of the babies. She says they will keep the baby skunk for one month until a nearby rescue organization has room to take him. Bat is excited by the opportunity to care for the baby and learn more about skunks, and makes it his personal mission to keep the skunk for as long as possible. Bat’s instant bond with the skunk kit alludes to his lack of friendship.

Bat goes to a private school and loves his teacher, Mr. Grayson. Mr. Grayson bases his classroom management style on compassion, giving the children bodily autonomy and allowing them to determine when they need to take mental health breaks. The Friday after Valerie brings home the kit is an “Every-Other Friday,” meaning Bat and Janie will be picked up by their father to spend the weekend with him. Bat is stressed during the school day, and is unenthused about staying at his father’s, because he wants to be with the baby skunk and does not relate to his father, who does not seem to understand him. Bat’s father does not address Bat’s needs, instead driving a small convertible that makes Bat uncomfortable.

Bat spends the weekend thinking about names for the skunk, but when Monday afternoon comes around, Janie mocks his suggestion of “Stripy” and says they should name the kit “Thor,” and Bat agrees. Bat wants to sleep with Thor and spend more time with him. He and his mother reach a compromise, and she agrees that he will oversee Thor’s care during the day. At school, Bat asks Mr. Grayson for help contacting Dr. Jerry Dragoo, a skunk expert he had read about in his animal encyclopedia. Mr. Grayson finds the expert and lets Bat write an email from his computer.

Bat is upset the next time he goes to his father’s because Laurence, a vet tech at his mother’s clinic, will be taking Thor for the weekend. Bat likes Laurence and considers him a friend, but he worries that Thor might like Laurence better. He blames his parents’ divorce, which he has not yet accepted. While at his father’s, Bat sees his schoolmate, Israel. Israel tries to chat with Bat, but Bat feels stressed with Israel and his parents waiting for him to speak, so he says goodbye and walks into the candy store he and his family are visiting. While in the store, Janie and Dad hurt Bat’s feelings by talking about his attachment to Thor, with Janie pointing out that Bat doesn’t have any friends. On Sunday, Bat has a bonding moment with Janie, and learns they don’t have to talk to communicate.

Dr. Jerry Dragoo responds to Bat’s email, and Mr. Grayson challenges Bat by making him wait until first break to read Dragoo’s response. At break, Israel lags behind and asks to read the email because he is interested. The boys interpret the message differently, with Israel finding it discouraging and Bat finding it encouraging. Israel asks to come to meet Thor, and Bat agrees. Bat asks Valerie if Israel can come over, and she agrees. He then admits he has been in contact with a skunk expert, and Janie is impressed and supports Bat in his endeavors to keep Thor. Israel visits, and Bat identifies his unique ability to read intentions by watching a person’s hands. He lets Israel hold Thor, and then the two boys go into Bat’s room to learn all they can about skunks. Valerie sees her son’s happiness at having a friend, and Bat returns his mother’s smile. By caring for Thor, Bat learns to accept himself, forms new connections, and strengthens his bonds with his mother and sister.