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A Boy Called Bat #4
Bat and the Business of Ferrets: A Heartfelt Story About Fourth Grade and Autism for Children (Ages 6-10)
The bestselling Bat returns! Bat and the Business of Ferrets is the fourth title in National Book Award finalist Elana K. Arnold’s heartfelt and widely acclaimed series featuring an unforgettable young boy on the autism spectrum.
Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed “Bat”) is about to start fourth grade—and unfortunately for him, everything is There's a new teacher, a new classroom, new seats…and new rules. Mr. Grayson, Bat’s third grade teacher, had a lovable class rabbit named Babycakes who Bat could visit anytime he needed a break. But Mr. Peña does not have a class rabbit. In fact, Mr. Peña doesn't believe in class pets at all. And for Bat, that’s one change too many.
Bat and his best friend, Israel, know they need to convince Mr. Peña to change his mind about class pets—and when a business of friendly ferrets arrives at Bat's mom's veterinary clinic, they think they've found the perfect pet to do so. But when they discover that their classmate Lucca also doesn't like the idea of an animal in the classroom, Bat starts to worry that things will never be the way they were again.
The beloved series that began with A Boy Called Bat continues with this fourth book featuring an unforgettable young boy on the autism spectrum.
Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed “Bat”) is about to start fourth grade—and unfortunately for him, everything is There's a new teacher, a new classroom, new seats…and new rules. Mr. Grayson, Bat’s third grade teacher, had a lovable class rabbit named Babycakes who Bat could visit anytime he needed a break. But Mr. Peña does not have a class rabbit. In fact, Mr. Peña doesn't believe in class pets at all. And for Bat, that’s one change too many.
Bat and his best friend, Israel, know they need to convince Mr. Peña to change his mind about class pets—and when a business of friendly ferrets arrives at Bat's mom's veterinary clinic, they think they've found the perfect pet to do so. But when they discover that their classmate Lucca also doesn't like the idea of an animal in the classroom, Bat starts to worry that things will never be the way they were again.
The beloved series that began with A Boy Called Bat continues with this fourth book featuring an unforgettable young boy on the autism spectrum.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2025
11 people are currently reading
2507 people want to read
About the author
Elana K. Arnold
42 books1,077 followersELANA K. ARNOLD writes books for and about children and teens. She holds a master’s degree in Creative Writing/Fiction from the University of California, Davis where she has taught Creative Writing and Adolescent Literature. Her most recent YA novel, DAMSEL, is a Printz Honor book, Her 2017 novel, WHAT GIRLS ARE MADE OF, was a finalist for the National Book Award, and her middle grade novel, A BOY CALLED BAT, is a Junior Library Guild Selection. A parent and educator living in Huntington Beach, California, Elana is a frequent speaker at schools, libraries, and writers’ conferences. Currently, Elana is the caretaker of seven pets, only three of which have fur. Sign up for her newsletter here: https://elanakarnold.us10.list-manage...
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 25, 2024
Bat is BACK!
🦨
Bat is headed to fourth grade and he’s not excited about missing out on Mr. Grayson’s class and chances to pet Babycakes. His sister is also struggling going into middle school and being cool enough. When Bat’s vet mom has four baby ferrets dropped at her clinic, Bat is convinced this means he should adopt on as his new class pet. The only problem is two people won’t agree: Bat’s new teacher, Mr. Pena, and the person he gets along with least in class: Lucca. He spends so much time fighting for the ferret he misses out on a lot that’s happening around him.
🐰
I almost wept when I saw this was available on Netgalley @elanakarnold Bat has my heart and I thought this MG series was over so when I discovered he was back I immediately read this title. Bat’s stories are like a warm hug. The ways his neurodivergence is explained and how it affects those around him is perfection. So many kids love Bat and I hope this series never ends! Out February 11!
🦨
Bat is headed to fourth grade and he’s not excited about missing out on Mr. Grayson’s class and chances to pet Babycakes. His sister is also struggling going into middle school and being cool enough. When Bat’s vet mom has four baby ferrets dropped at her clinic, Bat is convinced this means he should adopt on as his new class pet. The only problem is two people won’t agree: Bat’s new teacher, Mr. Pena, and the person he gets along with least in class: Lucca. He spends so much time fighting for the ferret he misses out on a lot that’s happening around him.
🐰
I almost wept when I saw this was available on Netgalley @elanakarnold Bat has my heart and I thought this MG series was over so when I discovered he was back I immediately read this title. Bat’s stories are like a warm hug. The ways his neurodivergence is explained and how it affects those around him is perfection. So many kids love Bat and I hope this series never ends! Out February 11!
February 15, 2025
I’m really happy that the end of the series was a LIE and now there’s MORE. These books are so grounded and kind and also wallop me every time because they describe very very specific feelings and behaviors and sensations that make me rocket backwards in time to my childhood self. Bat is a wonderful character and I love the way that Arnold is able to balance his perceptions with the feelings and inner lives of the characters around him. I love Santoso’s illustrations and im glad they’re also back. Thank you for more bat!!
October 19, 2025
Just as delightful as the rest of the series. I am endlessly impressed at Arnold's ability to get into Bat's mind and physical experience.
June 3, 2025
My rating: 3.5/5 stars- Same comment as the 3rd book- This one didn't grab Mr. Five's attention as much as the first two. We both enjoyed it, but neither of us seemed to connect with this one as much as the first two books in the series.
October 21, 2025
Not much of a fan of this one either after reading the first three but I managed to finish it and the ending felt more like a good conclusion than past endings where I had felt the ending could continue but chose to end suddenly there.
There is a new character in this one all while the author tries to progress the world of Bat by having him move up a grade, which is hard on him considering he gets a new teacher. Which made me wonder how he survived K, 1st and 2nd grade before ending up in 3rd grade and wishing not to leave. But he isn't adjusting well.
As for the new character, Lucca, she puzzled me at first but I did appreciate at the end how she was different yet similar to Bat. At first it really felt like they'd never get along. And the sudden outbursts of tears without resolve almost made me want to give up on giving Lucca a try. But then things started to make a bit more sense when she explains to Bat about why shes upset, but I can't relate to her character at all and can only observe that shes overly sensitive about certain things.
An example of something that frustrated me about this book is the author not giving Bat a chance to talk with Lucca or make it up to her about her perception of him being "mean" when Bat doesn't understand, yet tries to digest what it meant at the end of the book. Like it sprang up too late to figure out, so now I gotta wait to see what happens if the author makes a book five.
Some of chapters were fine while others were just word salads of explanations, almost halting the story till we moved past Bats thought process, so again if theres a book five, I hope the author makes it more digestable for young readers because it may lose their attention and older readers might see this book as being too young for them, tho im sure their attention spans are better.
After looking at the series, i still dont know what age range this series is supposed to be. Maybe 3-4th grade like Bat? Overall the 4th book was just alright but didnt wow me.
There is a new character in this one all while the author tries to progress the world of Bat by having him move up a grade, which is hard on him considering he gets a new teacher. Which made me wonder how he survived K, 1st and 2nd grade before ending up in 3rd grade and wishing not to leave. But he isn't adjusting well.
As for the new character, Lucca, she puzzled me at first but I did appreciate at the end how she was different yet similar to Bat. At first it really felt like they'd never get along. And the sudden outbursts of tears without resolve almost made me want to give up on giving Lucca a try. But then things started to make a bit more sense when she explains to Bat about why shes upset, but I can't relate to her character at all and can only observe that shes overly sensitive about certain things.
An example of something that frustrated me about this book is the author not giving Bat a chance to talk with Lucca or make it up to her about her perception of him being "mean" when Bat doesn't understand, yet tries to digest what it meant at the end of the book. Like it sprang up too late to figure out, so now I gotta wait to see what happens if the author makes a book five.
Some of chapters were fine while others were just word salads of explanations, almost halting the story till we moved past Bats thought process, so again if theres a book five, I hope the author makes it more digestable for young readers because it may lose their attention and older readers might see this book as being too young for them, tho im sure their attention spans are better.
After looking at the series, i still dont know what age range this series is supposed to be. Maybe 3-4th grade like Bat? Overall the 4th book was just alright but didnt wow me.
March 25, 2025
Bat is back in a fourth installment about his life as a kid with autism and a big love of animals. For Bat, lots of things are hard. But when he is able to get to know the lay of the land, say in a classroom or at home, he is comfortable. And his best friend Israel really gets him. They bond over a love of animals, especially Bat’s pet skunk Thor. His mom is a vet, so he has plenty of opportunities to interact with animals. When a business (the group name) of ferrets needs a home, Bat is enthusiastic about petitioning his fourth grade teacher for a class pet, despite the fact that Mr. Peña does not want a class pet. How can Bat convince Lucca, the last kid in the class whose signature he doesn’t have?
This is a great early chapter book that incidentally features a kid with autism. Demystifying stimming and taking things literally is incorporated with gentle humor and great, supportive teachers and parents into a cozy story about animals and making friends. There is plenty that Bat is good at, and I like that he is aware of his talents as well as what he’s working on. I love how the author describes Bat’s need to say something as feeling like a sneeze that can’t be kept in. And there’s a sweet image as with his pal Israel right before school starts, as they share “the last carrot of summer.” Most characters cue as white or Latinx. Occasional black and white artwork throughout work nicely with the text. The text is larger with wide line spacing, making it visually inviting for kids new to chapter books. This title works alone without having read the preceding titles in the series.
This is a great early chapter book that incidentally features a kid with autism. Demystifying stimming and taking things literally is incorporated with gentle humor and great, supportive teachers and parents into a cozy story about animals and making friends. There is plenty that Bat is good at, and I like that he is aware of his talents as well as what he’s working on. I love how the author describes Bat’s need to say something as feeling like a sneeze that can’t be kept in. And there’s a sweet image as with his pal Israel right before school starts, as they share “the last carrot of summer.” Most characters cue as white or Latinx. Occasional black and white artwork throughout work nicely with the text. The text is larger with wide line spacing, making it visually inviting for kids new to chapter books. This title works alone without having read the preceding titles in the series.
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February 19, 2025As a fan of the BAT series, I'm thrilled to review #4 BAT AND THE BUSINESS OF FERRETS. Bat is starting 4th grade. He isn't thrilled to have a new teacher and even less excited to find out his new teacher has students sitting and small groups instead of individual seats. He's also extremely disappointed to learn there is no class pet.
When Bat's mother stops off at her vet office one day after school, Bat wishes she would just go straight home. She tells him there's a surprise, so he feels a bit better about the stop. What he discovers inside is amazing! There are 4 baby ferrets in a box. Bat has never seen ferrets in person, but he does know that a group of ferrets is called a business.
One of the ferrets is pure white and according to his mother's assistant, it is deaf. Bat immediately thinks it would be a great classroom pet since it wouldn't be bothered by a noisy classroom. Bat and his friend Israel begin planning how they will get their teacher to change his mind about having a class pet.
Author Elana K. Arnold shows readers Bat's difficulties in interpreting people's emotions and feelings. As a person on the autism spectrum, Bat needs reminders to think about how he should interact with others. Bat has plenty to teach all of us when it comes to being caring to both people and animals.
When Bat's mother stops off at her vet office one day after school, Bat wishes she would just go straight home. She tells him there's a surprise, so he feels a bit better about the stop. What he discovers inside is amazing! There are 4 baby ferrets in a box. Bat has never seen ferrets in person, but he does know that a group of ferrets is called a business.
One of the ferrets is pure white and according to his mother's assistant, it is deaf. Bat immediately thinks it would be a great classroom pet since it wouldn't be bothered by a noisy classroom. Bat and his friend Israel begin planning how they will get their teacher to change his mind about having a class pet.
Author Elana K. Arnold shows readers Bat's difficulties in interpreting people's emotions and feelings. As a person on the autism spectrum, Bat needs reminders to think about how he should interact with others. Bat has plenty to teach all of us when it comes to being caring to both people and animals.
December 14, 2024
I received an electronic ARC from HarperCollins Children's Books through NetGalley.
I'm delighted that Arnold brought Bat back for another book! Readers see him start fourth grade and deal with the challenges of a new teacher and classroom. Unfortunately, he does not pick up on how some of what he says makes other people feel. This feels like a bit of a backslide from how far he had come and very realistic. We see him work hard to push for a class pet even though the teacher has said no. He hurts a classmate ,ignores Israel when he tries to share, and doesn't make an effort to hear what the teacher shares. We see Bat's sister Janie struggle with a new school; Bat is so focused on his need for a class pet that he misses what is happening. Finally, by the end, Bat is ready to listen and process what other people are feeling and excited about. Arnold brings her characters to life and reveals more about them with each book. Middle grade readers will connect with the emotions and day to day life at school and home. Hope she continues this adventure with Bat and his family and friends.
I'm delighted that Arnold brought Bat back for another book! Readers see him start fourth grade and deal with the challenges of a new teacher and classroom. Unfortunately, he does not pick up on how some of what he says makes other people feel. This feels like a bit of a backslide from how far he had come and very realistic. We see him work hard to push for a class pet even though the teacher has said no. He hurts a classmate ,ignores Israel when he tries to share, and doesn't make an effort to hear what the teacher shares. We see Bat's sister Janie struggle with a new school; Bat is so focused on his need for a class pet that he misses what is happening. Finally, by the end, Bat is ready to listen and process what other people are feeling and excited about. Arnold brings her characters to life and reveals more about them with each book. Middle grade readers will connect with the emotions and day to day life at school and home. Hope she continues this adventure with Bat and his family and friends.
April 23, 2025
Elana K. Arnold return to the Bat series is an absolute delight. In this story, we see Bat's friendship with Israel further develop in a lovely way. We see Bat learning to navigate the give and take required in a real friendship and Israel supporting him in that journey. We also see Bat learning to extend some grace to Lucca, a girl in his class who faces some of the same interpersonal challenges that Bat himself faces.
One lovely part of this installment is Bat's relationship with Janie, who has started middle school and it isn't going very smoothly. For younger siblings trying to understand their middle school sibling, this book will be a lifeline!
And, of course, the Charles Santoso illustrations are an absolute delight.
Elana's ability to write across the spectrum from picture books through YA is remarkable. In each case, she steps into the lives of her readers with respect and honesty. I hope there are more Bat books to come!
One lovely part of this installment is Bat's relationship with Janie, who has started middle school and it isn't going very smoothly. For younger siblings trying to understand their middle school sibling, this book will be a lifeline!
And, of course, the Charles Santoso illustrations are an absolute delight.
Elana's ability to write across the spectrum from picture books through YA is remarkable. In each case, she steps into the lives of her readers with respect and honesty. I hope there are more Bat books to come!
August 12, 2024
This is another great book about Bat. He’s starting 4th grade and has a new teacher this year. He hopes that his new teacher will want a class pet just like they had in 3rd grade. When Bat’s mom shows him a business (group) of ferrets at the vet clinic, Bat thinks a ferret would make a good class pet. His friend,Israel, comes up with a plan to have the class sign a petition so the teacher would see they want a class pet. There’s a problem though when one of the students, Lucca, won’t sign the petition because she’s mad at Bat. Can Bat get Lucca to change her mind? Will the teacher allow a class pet?
December 26, 2025
2026 winner of the Dolly Gray Award* for middle grades. Fourth book about Bat, a fourth grader with autism, who wants his new teacher to adopt an abandoned pet. Really cute story with a whole lot of heart.
* The Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award recognizes authentic portrayals of individuals with autism and developmental disabilities in high-quality fictional and biographical books for children and young adults. I was instrumental in the creation of this award.
* The Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award recognizes authentic portrayals of individuals with autism and developmental disabilities in high-quality fictional and biographical books for children and young adults. I was instrumental in the creation of this award.
June 23, 2025
4 stars
Bat returns to school for fourth grade but he is unhappy from the start because his new teacher does not seem to understand Bat. When someone leaves a litter of ferrets at Bat's mother's vet clinic, Bat becomes obsessed with the idea of having the white deaf ferret as the class pet for his new class. Bat learns he needs to be a better friend by listening and observing his friends.
Bat returns to school for fourth grade but he is unhappy from the start because his new teacher does not seem to understand Bat. When someone leaves a litter of ferrets at Bat's mother's vet clinic, Bat becomes obsessed with the idea of having the white deaf ferret as the class pet for his new class. Bat learns he needs to be a better friend by listening and observing his friends.
June 30, 2025
Bat and the Business of Ferrets: a worthy continuation of the Bat series, in which Bat must find a way to get along with a new teacher and a returning classmate who both don't share his enthusiasm for pets. This series continues to be a thoughtful depiction of an autistic kid--Bat often reminds me of my younger self.
September 20, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
It's interesting to see Bat transition to fourth grade, especially since his new teacher doesn't have a classroom pet like Babycakes. This is a great series, but a little too young for my middle school students.
It's interesting to see Bat transition to fourth grade, especially since his new teacher doesn't have a classroom pet like Babycakes. This is a great series, but a little too young for my middle school students.
October 3, 2024
A more than worthwhile return to Bat and his world! Sweet, moving, and thoughtful as ever. My young nephews & nieces love Bat, as do I, and I'm so glad they'll soon have another story about him to read and reread.
March 19, 2025
Listened to book #22/2025. The 4th book in the series and this time a ferret is introduced.
May 3, 2025
I love Bat.
May 23, 2025
Learned that a group of ferrets is called a business!
July 11, 2025
To say I love the Bat trilogy is a huge understatement. I spend a huge amount of my time running around recommending the books to anyone who will listen, and I have developed my entire yearlong Reading class curriculum around them, introducing them to a new group of students every year. So when I heard there was going to be a fourth installment, I was over the moon.
Bat and the Business of Ferrets does not disappoint. It picks up at the beginning of the school year, where Bat is forced to deal with a lot of newness: a new grade, a new teacher, a new classroom. And now one of his classmates has come in with a whole new look, overwhelming Bat even more.
This book is charming, sweet, funny, and emotional. Bat continues to be a relatable MC, a character that makes my heart hurt with how much I feel for him at every moment, even when, or maybe especially when, he stumbles socially. All our favorites are here, and we get a chance to meet some new characters as well. I am so thrilled to have spent a little more time with Bat, and I hope there is more to come.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Bat and the Business of Ferrets does not disappoint. It picks up at the beginning of the school year, where Bat is forced to deal with a lot of newness: a new grade, a new teacher, a new classroom. And now one of his classmates has come in with a whole new look, overwhelming Bat even more.
This book is charming, sweet, funny, and emotional. Bat continues to be a relatable MC, a character that makes my heart hurt with how much I feel for him at every moment, even when, or maybe especially when, he stumbles socially. All our favorites are here, and we get a chance to meet some new characters as well. I am so thrilled to have spent a little more time with Bat, and I hope there is more to come.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews