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A Boy Called Bat #2
Bat and the Waiting Game
In the tradition of Clementine and Ramona Quimby, meet Bat. Author Elana K. Arnold returns with another irresistible story of friendship in this widely acclaimed series starring an unforgettable boy on the autism spectrum. For Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed Bat), life is pretty great. He’s the caretaker of the best baby skunk in the world—even Janie, his older sister, is warming up to Thor. When Janie gets a part in the school play and can’t watch Bat after school, it means some pretty big changes. Someone else has to take care of the skunk kit in the afternoons, Janie is having sleepovers with her new friends, and Bat wants everything to go back to normal. He just has to make it to the night of Janie’s performance. . . .
192 pages, Hardcover
First published March 27, 2018
134 people are currently reading
1644 people want to read
About the author
Elana K. Arnold
42 books1,076 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 - 30 of 187 reviews
April 4, 2018
3.5 -4 stars
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July 20, 2017Sequel lives up to the first book. Bat's feelings are so real, and the whole cast of characters feels like a hug.
June 24, 2022
After reading "A Boy Called Bat" together, my son (age 8) and I were both eager to read the second installment and see what new adventure was in store for Bat and Thor.
This story is super sweet and I love how even though Bat is accurately depicted as a boy with autism, that is never the focus of his story. Some of Bat's behaviors had my son asking questions and I was grateful for the opportunity to teach him more about autism. Not only is this a cute read, but it provided a unique experience to help teach my son compassion and understanding. Speaking of compassion and understanding, I think my personal favorite character is Israel. He is so sweet! I even got a little teary-eyed when Israel gave Bat the clay skunk!
Now, enough about my thoughts. As an author myself, I try to teach my son the importance of leaving reviews for books we read. Therefore, I think it's fun to let him choose the star rating and share his thoughts. So without further ado, here's what my eight year old son thought of "Bat and the Waiting Game":
"I liked when the skunk sprayed during Janie's play because it was funny. But I kind of felt bad for her. And I liked when Bat's friend, Israel, forgave Bat for yelling at him for saying, "That's a stupid question!" But he also knew that it wasn't stupid because he said it to himself every day. This book should have five stars. I loved it! By: Greg, the kid of the family."
This story is super sweet and I love how even though Bat is accurately depicted as a boy with autism, that is never the focus of his story. Some of Bat's behaviors had my son asking questions and I was grateful for the opportunity to teach him more about autism. Not only is this a cute read, but it provided a unique experience to help teach my son compassion and understanding. Speaking of compassion and understanding, I think my personal favorite character is Israel. He is so sweet! I even got a little teary-eyed when Israel gave Bat the clay skunk!
Now, enough about my thoughts. As an author myself, I try to teach my son the importance of leaving reviews for books we read. Therefore, I think it's fun to let him choose the star rating and share his thoughts. So without further ado, here's what my eight year old son thought of "Bat and the Waiting Game":
"I liked when the skunk sprayed during Janie's play because it was funny. But I kind of felt bad for her. And I liked when Bat's friend, Israel, forgave Bat for yelling at him for saying, "That's a stupid question!" But he also knew that it wasn't stupid because he said it to himself every day. This book should have five stars. I loved it! By: Greg, the kid of the family."
January 12, 2022
Note: I am an autistic/ADHD person with my husband and son also being autistic/ADHD.
I know I'm going to get flack for this review. I REALLY wanted to like this book. I really liked the first one, and felt is did a nice portrayal of an autistic boy and his relationship with his family, making a friend, and his comforting interest of animals. This book as well had the same themes, continued the story well, and was well written with gorgeous illustrations.
But what happened? Did this book not have sensitivity readers like the first one did?
I noticed little things wiggle in, like how Bat began to panic when he was missing tools to set up the playpen for his skunk, Thor. His self-soothing was making a noise and rolling on his feet, however, his mom rather wanted to hold him till he stoped. He even stated he DIDN'T want to be held. This was portrayed in the book as a good thing he stopped those behaviours and let his mum hold him. Please DO NOT do this to a person who is self-soothing! Bat was safe and keeping himself calm, and just because it was by making a noise and rolling on his feet, did not make it any less valid than the way an allistic (not autistic) person would self sooth. DO NOT RESTRAIN an autistic person! Your hugs may be well intended but they are restraining to us if we don't want them!!
The final straw that made me so upset was the final scene. Bat's apologising to his sister while looking at her toes - they are painted with beautiful stars on them - he doesn't look her in the eyes. But Bat's sister uses her finger to force Bat's head up and to make him look into her eyes. Bat states he DOSN'T like looking into peoples eyes, but he knew it made his sister feel happy so he did anyway for her sake. This is portrayed as some great moment, complete with an illustration of Bat's sister doing this, as if it's some great breakthrough and touching moment. No, it is not. This is full on, the absolute worse thing you could ever do to an autistic person.
Do not ever, EVER make us look into your eyes if we do not want to. You do not have any idea the amount of mental or physical torture this is, despite it being an easy thing for an allistic person. It may not seem that big of a deal for you, and that I am over-reacting, but it honestly is abuse. It reeks of ABA (a common 'treatment' for autistm that us autistic folk are against) and wanting the autistic person to cater to the allistic folk around them - when we spend EVERY SECOND of our lives doing that anyway. So for once, allistic folk, change your expectations and cater to us for once and let us look at your toes. This was not a great moment. This was horrible. It ruined and spoiled the whole book for me, and I will not be reading the sequel.
I know I'm going to get flack for this review. I REALLY wanted to like this book. I really liked the first one, and felt is did a nice portrayal of an autistic boy and his relationship with his family, making a friend, and his comforting interest of animals. This book as well had the same themes, continued the story well, and was well written with gorgeous illustrations.
But what happened? Did this book not have sensitivity readers like the first one did?
I noticed little things wiggle in, like how Bat began to panic when he was missing tools to set up the playpen for his skunk, Thor. His self-soothing was making a noise and rolling on his feet, however, his mom rather wanted to hold him till he stoped. He even stated he DIDN'T want to be held. This was portrayed in the book as a good thing he stopped those behaviours and let his mum hold him. Please DO NOT do this to a person who is self-soothing! Bat was safe and keeping himself calm, and just because it was by making a noise and rolling on his feet, did not make it any less valid than the way an allistic (not autistic) person would self sooth. DO NOT RESTRAIN an autistic person! Your hugs may be well intended but they are restraining to us if we don't want them!!
The final straw that made me so upset was the final scene. Bat's apologising to his sister while looking at her toes - they are painted with beautiful stars on them - he doesn't look her in the eyes. But Bat's sister uses her finger to force Bat's head up and to make him look into her eyes. Bat states he DOSN'T like looking into peoples eyes, but he knew it made his sister feel happy so he did anyway for her sake. This is portrayed as some great moment, complete with an illustration of Bat's sister doing this, as if it's some great breakthrough and touching moment. No, it is not. This is full on, the absolute worse thing you could ever do to an autistic person.
Do not ever, EVER make us look into your eyes if we do not want to. You do not have any idea the amount of mental or physical torture this is, despite it being an easy thing for an allistic person. It may not seem that big of a deal for you, and that I am over-reacting, but it honestly is abuse. It reeks of ABA (a common 'treatment' for autistm that us autistic folk are against) and wanting the autistic person to cater to the allistic folk around them - when we spend EVERY SECOND of our lives doing that anyway. So for once, allistic folk, change your expectations and cater to us for once and let us look at your toes. This was not a great moment. This was horrible. It ruined and spoiled the whole book for me, and I will not be reading the sequel.
September 2, 2017
Bat and his skunk Thor are back for more adventures. Lots of lessons and learning in this second installment. Perfect novel for third and fourth graders!
August 20, 2023
My 7 and 9 year old boys are really enjoying this series. It's simple, yet relatable and I am appreciating the autistic representation. She doesn't write Bat's character as unusual or "wrong". He's just ... him.
April 9, 2018
The Krajewski family still adores Bat! Can’t wait for more!
September 7, 2024
4+ Stars. Bat has to learn some lesson in forgiveness..... when he upsets his sister's big moment.
March 28, 2023
So tender. It makes my heart hurt to think how much better of a mom I could be to my own autistic kid.
June 26, 2024
I read this second book in the Bat series about an autistic kid Bat and his rescued skunk Thor with my autistic kid, as a neurodivergent parent myself, and there were some things I really loved about it. It’s awesome to read a chapter book with my kid that centers and (mostly) validates the neurodivergent experience and I loved the way Bat’s relationships deepened with his sister Janie, his new friend Israel, and his dad (with whom he had a strained relationship at the start). That said, there were a few things that left me feeling conflicted.
Unlike the first book in the series, there is an explicit mention of autism in Bat and the Waiting Game. Janie is having a sleepover with her friends (and Israel is sleeping over too), and one of Janie’s friends tells Janie that her cousin is autistic just like Bat, and…that’s it. Nothing else is said, not even a response from Janie. Up to this point, I was trying to figure out if Bat’s new friend was autistic too. Eagerly and perhaps foolishly, I was expecting it to be revealed at the joint sleepover that Israel was the said autistic cousin, and for them to have this deep and intuitive understanding of each other, but that never happened, and yet again, Bat is the only meaningful autistic character who is constantly reminded—told—how different he is, and no nuanced conversation about autism is had other than a half-hearted acknowledgment. I do think Israel is a great friend to Bat, and of course there’s nothing wrong with a mixed neurotype friendship, but I personally felt let down, like it was another missed opportunity to show the awesome and effortless sense of community that autistic people tend to feel together. I wanted that for Bat. I wanted that for my kid.
It also feels to me like a lot of the time the people in Bat’s life are trying to help him understand neurotypical communication, without also validating his view of the world, as though the neurotypical way is the Correct Way. They go on and on explaining things, completely ignore when he says something, or get annoyed with him for his literal thinking, and very seldom just validate him when there’s a miscommunication.
Another part that bothered me was when Janie used her hand to guide Bat into making eye contact with her. I loved the way the first book handled eye contact, treating it as a natural and completely valid difference to avoid eye contact and read people in other ways. In this scene, however, Bat acknowledges his discomfort but makes the choice not to look away because he knows Janie likes it. In other words, he is masking, and it’s celebrated as this moment of growth and connection. Masking isn’t a triumph; it is survival. Why is this necessary? Can’t they have their special moment without Bat having neurotypical standards forced upon him, and then celebrated? What’s the point?
Together, these things made me question who this book is really for, an autistic kid like mine, or a neurotypical kid who wants to learn empathy and compassion for those who are different? After reading this second book in the Bat series, I have a feeling it’s the latter, which honestly was a letdown for me. I’m grateful that there’s a real, multifaceted, unapologetically autistic character my kid can see himself in; I also wish this sweet kid didn’t have to live in a vacuum where the most effortless connection he feels is with a skunk, and where his main purpose is to be a teaching aid for neurotypical kids.
Unlike the first book in the series, there is an explicit mention of autism in Bat and the Waiting Game. Janie is having a sleepover with her friends (and Israel is sleeping over too), and one of Janie’s friends tells Janie that her cousin is autistic just like Bat, and…that’s it. Nothing else is said, not even a response from Janie. Up to this point, I was trying to figure out if Bat’s new friend was autistic too. Eagerly and perhaps foolishly, I was expecting it to be revealed at the joint sleepover that Israel was the said autistic cousin, and for them to have this deep and intuitive understanding of each other, but that never happened, and yet again, Bat is the only meaningful autistic character who is constantly reminded—told—how different he is, and no nuanced conversation about autism is had other than a half-hearted acknowledgment. I do think Israel is a great friend to Bat, and of course there’s nothing wrong with a mixed neurotype friendship, but I personally felt let down, like it was another missed opportunity to show the awesome and effortless sense of community that autistic people tend to feel together. I wanted that for Bat. I wanted that for my kid.
It also feels to me like a lot of the time the people in Bat’s life are trying to help him understand neurotypical communication, without also validating his view of the world, as though the neurotypical way is the Correct Way. They go on and on explaining things, completely ignore when he says something, or get annoyed with him for his literal thinking, and very seldom just validate him when there’s a miscommunication.
Another part that bothered me was when Janie used her hand to guide Bat into making eye contact with her. I loved the way the first book handled eye contact, treating it as a natural and completely valid difference to avoid eye contact and read people in other ways. In this scene, however, Bat acknowledges his discomfort but makes the choice not to look away because he knows Janie likes it. In other words, he is masking, and it’s celebrated as this moment of growth and connection. Masking isn’t a triumph; it is survival. Why is this necessary? Can’t they have their special moment without Bat having neurotypical standards forced upon him, and then celebrated? What’s the point?
Together, these things made me question who this book is really for, an autistic kid like mine, or a neurotypical kid who wants to learn empathy and compassion for those who are different? After reading this second book in the Bat series, I have a feeling it’s the latter, which honestly was a letdown for me. I’m grateful that there’s a real, multifaceted, unapologetically autistic character my kid can see himself in; I also wish this sweet kid didn’t have to live in a vacuum where the most effortless connection he feels is with a skunk, and where his main purpose is to be a teaching aid for neurotypical kids.
May 20, 2020
Last year my youngest child came home from school raving about the first book in this series, A Boy Called Bat. They had read it in the last week of school in grade 3, and it was an instant favorite. When she found out it was the first of a series, she was ecstatic, and wanted us to add it to our summer reading list. Last year we read book 1 and now we have finished book 2 and started book three.
Bat, Bixby Alexander Tam is a little different than many other kinds. In fact, he goes to a different school than his sister, in order to have some extra help. In the first volume Bat’s mom came home with a baby skunk kit that was just born that day, Bat knows that they belong together. In that first volume Bat negotiated keeping the Kit until it was ready to be released. In that story he makes a close friend, Israel.
In this story. Bat is getting more and more anxious. As the time is drawing near to having to say good-bye to Thor the skunk. After conflict with both Israel and his sister, Bat sneaks Thor into opening night of his sisters play. It was a big mistake. Soon Bat realized that he needs to make thinks up to both Israel and to his sister. But to pull it off he is going to need a lot of help. And he is just learning to ask for help when he needs it.
Bat continues to struggle; he sees the world in a very literal way. His interactions with others, even his family are often difficult and often overly blunt. But because of his interactions with the Kit, Bat’s edges had been softening a bit.
This was another fun read. It helped my children understand a few of their classmates more. It does a great job representing the struggle some people have. And The illustrations are fun. All three of us give it a big thumbs up!
Our Ratings:
9 year old – 5/5 Stars
12 year old 4/5 Stars
50 year old 5/5 Stars
And we are looking forward to reading the next book in the series. And we hope that there will be more books to come!
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More.
Bat, Bixby Alexander Tam is a little different than many other kinds. In fact, he goes to a different school than his sister, in order to have some extra help. In the first volume Bat’s mom came home with a baby skunk kit that was just born that day, Bat knows that they belong together. In that first volume Bat negotiated keeping the Kit until it was ready to be released. In that story he makes a close friend, Israel.
In this story. Bat is getting more and more anxious. As the time is drawing near to having to say good-bye to Thor the skunk. After conflict with both Israel and his sister, Bat sneaks Thor into opening night of his sisters play. It was a big mistake. Soon Bat realized that he needs to make thinks up to both Israel and to his sister. But to pull it off he is going to need a lot of help. And he is just learning to ask for help when he needs it.
Bat continues to struggle; he sees the world in a very literal way. His interactions with others, even his family are often difficult and often overly blunt. But because of his interactions with the Kit, Bat’s edges had been softening a bit.
This was another fun read. It helped my children understand a few of their classmates more. It does a great job representing the struggle some people have. And The illustrations are fun. All three of us give it a big thumbs up!
Our Ratings:
9 year old – 5/5 Stars
12 year old 4/5 Stars
50 year old 5/5 Stars
And we are looking forward to reading the next book in the series. And we hope that there will be more books to come!
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More.
January 1, 2022
My 5 year old gave this second book in the series 5 stars again, probably 4.5 stars for me. A sweet story again showing life from Bat’s perspective, and also showing him grow in his relationships, making mistakes, and fixing them.
July 22, 2018
I kind of liked this book because it was slowly paced. I also didn't like this book because the events in the book were very..... well...... "not exciting events" and I like action and adventure. So...... I didn't really like it because of that too. For example, the whole book was basically Bat having troubles with his sister talking about her play and when it finally does come he messes it up. He messes it up by his pet skunk spraying.
March 24, 2019
I just love Bat, he reminds me of a few of my students and I just love his attachment for Thor, the baby skunk. It's rare to find such a great book written from a POV of autism and getting it quite spot on (from what I can tell). I love his interactions with other characters and I have to give his big sister Janie some applause for always trying her best to include him and forgive him when needed.
January 14, 2018
I love A Boy Called BAT and have been eager to read BAT and the Waiting Game. I was lucky enough to get and ARC at NCTE and am grateful I did. Another dose of BAT and the Tam family is just what I needed. BAT continues to take care of Thor, the skunk kit that he is allowed to keep until it can be released into the wild. His love for Thor is fierce and Thor being a “toddler” now comes with a new set of challenges. In this book, the readers experiences the difficulty that BAT has as he tries to navigate his first real friendship with Israel. Janie, his sister, being part of a class play also brings about some challenges for BAT, who has a hard time with changes to his routine.
Elena K. Arnold was able to write a sequel that warmed my heart as much as the first. This book gently sheds light on the needs of a child with autism and helps readers see that BAT’s struggles are very similar to many other kids his age. I’m already eager for the 3rd book, but I’m sad thinking about BAT having to say goodbye to Thor one day.
Elena K. Arnold was able to write a sequel that warmed my heart as much as the first. This book gently sheds light on the needs of a child with autism and helps readers see that BAT’s struggles are very similar to many other kids his age. I’m already eager for the 3rd book, but I’m sad thinking about BAT having to say goodbye to Thor one day.
March 29, 2018
Another sweet story about Bat and his beloved skunk. I appreciated how Bat came to be more aware of other people's feelings and learned that he can't always have Thor with him. Good development with his friendship with Israel too.
However, I do wish there had been some resolution to the question of how long Thor will be around and how Bat will cope when he isn't.
However, I do wish there had been some resolution to the question of how long Thor will be around and how Bat will cope when he isn't.
November 2, 2018
Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed BAT) is back with his baby skunk, Thor, for another round of adventures! Just like the first in the series, Bat and the Waiting Game is a sweet, charming novel that accurately portrays a main character with ASD (although is perhaps a little light on how his actions impacts those around him).
A delightful second novel and I look forward to the third. I definitely recommend this book for school and classroom libraries serving grades 2-5 and as a read aloud in those grades, as well, after reading the first, of course!
A delightful second novel and I look forward to the third. I definitely recommend this book for school and classroom libraries serving grades 2-5 and as a read aloud in those grades, as well, after reading the first, of course!
March 7, 2022
Another great book in this series. It’s a very sweet story. I liked seeing Bat navigate new friendships and situations. I really liked how Bat made things right with his sister by doing something for her instead of apologizing. And mostly I loved how his autism and autistic traits are quietly woven throughout the book.
August 27, 2018
2nd book in the series is another heartwarming story of an autistic boy, Bat, and his adventures with his baby pet skunk. Shows realistically the struggles Bat has to understand other people’s feelings. Would be a great read-aloud! (Library)
January 16, 2023
This was another great book in the trilogy. My son (8) has really enjoyed these books and is preemptively upset that there's only one more. I love that we get up close with a young boy with autism, watching him in his relationships with family, making friends and learning about his skunk kit. This really is a sweet series!
June 6, 2020
It is so good, it's probably better than the first one, in fact it is. Also the pictures are really fun and cute.
February 22, 2022
What a good book. Autism was shown is such a positive light. I need to read the first book.
April 3, 2022
Nicht ganz so flott wie Teil 1, aber weiterhin unterhaltsam, geeignet ab 8 Jahren
September 12, 2024
Read to my kids. Even better than the first. Cried through the last chapter.
September 18, 2025
This series is just the cutest and I will continue to read about BAT and his adorable little Thor! :)
April 13, 2019
What a great follow up. I loved the simplicity of the timeline...the author wasn't trying to wrap up the next few years of Bat's life...it was just an extension of a great story and I loved seeing Bat's growth in terms of friendships and relationships.
January 17, 2018
Bat, short for Bixby Alexander Tam, has trouble with crowds, change and a host of little things that don’t generally bother most people. But he has a baby skunk, too, and that’s a pretty terrific thing that most other people don’t have. Elana Arnold brings a short, easy to read story about a special young man who is on the autism spectrum and yet manages to raise the abandoned kit while also making a best friend, connecting
with his dad at a baseball game, and figuring out how to apologize to his sister when he makes a big mistake. Readers in grades 2-4 will enjoy this book and the simple, clear black and white illustrations as they hopefully learn a little about autism and a few lessons on friendship and offering a sincere, active apology. I do wish that Arnold had mentioned that Bat was autistic much earlier in the book. Not everyone has read book 1 and kids will not realize the reasons for his quirky habits and might just decide that he’s simply odd and not catch Janey’s friend’s offhand comment about Bat’s diagnosis. (Review based on DRC from Edelweiss Plus)
with his dad at a baseball game, and figuring out how to apologize to his sister when he makes a big mistake. Readers in grades 2-4 will enjoy this book and the simple, clear black and white illustrations as they hopefully learn a little about autism and a few lessons on friendship and offering a sincere, active apology. I do wish that Arnold had mentioned that Bat was autistic much earlier in the book. Not everyone has read book 1 and kids will not realize the reasons for his quirky habits and might just decide that he’s simply odd and not catch Janey’s friend’s offhand comment about Bat’s diagnosis. (Review based on DRC from Edelweiss Plus)
December 28, 2017
I adore Bat and his pet skunk and all of his quirks and mistakes and attempts at understanding the world around him. On the spectrum or not, the societal norms that Bat struggles with (like apologizing and being a good friend) are lessons we can all benefit from relearning again. This is such a great series and one that would be an easy recommendation for those making the leap from chapter books to fiction and those looking for a "clean" or "mild" read. I am quite certain this is not the last we'll see of Bat and for that I am grateful.
December 6, 2017
This book is just as good as the first at providing readers with the perspective of a child with autism. Bat's story is a great choice for younger advanced readers.
March 13, 2018
Bat absolutely has a piece of my heart.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews