Bat and the End of Everything

A Boy Called Bat #3

by Elana K. Arnold

Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed Bat) has been the caretaker for Thor, the best skunk kit in the world... but the last day of third grade is quickly approaching, and Thor is almost ready to be released into the wild.

The end of school also means that Bat has to say good-bye to his favorite teacher, and he worries about the summer care of Babycakes, their adorable class pet. Not only that, but his best friend is leaving for a long vacation in Canada.

Summer promises good things, too, like working with his mom at the vet clinic and hanging out with his sister, Janie. But Bat can’t help but feel that everything is coming to an end.

National Book Award finalist Elana K. Arnold returns with the third story starring an unforgettable boy on the autism spectrum.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Childrens, Animals, Contemporary

189 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 26, 2019

About the author

ELANA 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...

Reviews

[Jacob Hoefer · Rating 2 out of 5]

SPOILERS
I love this series. I love Bat and his family. I love all the issues these books tackle and how they always stand firm in the perspective of a child. However, you do not get to undercut your ending like that. My mom was a wildlife rehabiltator and I grew up around a lot of animals I thought were pets and did not get to keep and often died in front of me. It was sad and I didn't always understand. one thing I enjoyed so much about this series (until now) was making Bat accept the hard reality of owning a wild animal! I know there's an afterward saying this can happen in real life but as a child who lived this everyday for years the ending of this series rang so untrue and a cheap way to get a happy ending. Uggghhh I should not be writing this this late at night but I am BUMMED out by the twist ending that left me very unsatisfied. The first 9/10th of the book set up beautifully all the steps Bat and his friends and family take for the summer ahead and the changes it will bring. But all of that tension is undercut when he gets to keep Thor! Even from a writing perspective it goes against everything, I feel, these books have been working for. there are a lot of really good heart wrenching moments written very well in this last instalment but now it all means nothing because the tension was not IF Bat got to keep Thor it was HOW does Bat move forward after Thor! He makes new friends he learns to trust a little more and even his sister gets more of an arc but it's all in services of a bland, unrealistic ending. Also I don't know what state they live in but this jargon is basically illegal and yeah animals who spent to much time around humans can't be relased but that's why it's unprofessional and often times just illegal to keep animals like that. I was not warmed by the ending I felt cheated and honestly it was a huge let down for a series I really enjoyed. I'm probably not a good judge because this series felt so much like my own childhood and Bat is such an enjoyable character that is fully realized and authentic so maybe I'm being too hard on this last installment (which is called freaking The end of everything!!! might as well call it Infinity War for what I was expecting, which might still be accurate because all the stakes are fake and you can just jump to the quantum relm where you get to keep your skunk pet.) So it's still probably great for kids and they will like when he keeps the skunk but that ain't how it works kids. you find a wild animal injured and you help, as you should, it ends sad. every time. 3 outcomes: the animal dies, you can NEVER keep it and if you do for some reason get to keep it you have failed to properly rehabilitate that animal-- uggghhh I don't like being this much of a downer and if you and your kids like the other two books you will like this one I just was hoping for a realistic depiction of the emotional fortitude it takes to care for animals. it's not pretty but that's okay, it still is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Savannah and I loved the way it ended. Jon re-iterates that he hates Bat and is glad the series is over. 😂

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 this year we read books 2 and 3 back to back together. These are very moving and powerful stories. And it was wonderful having my youngest read me the books, especially this third volume.

In the first volume Bat’s mom helped save a Skunk Kit, and Bat has been helping to raise and feed him until he is ready to be released. In the second volume Bat is struggling with knowing that at some point he will need to release Thor the skunk. There were big changes to Bat’s schedule and habits. And Bat does not always do well with changes. In this third volume Bat is stressing a lot. He is stressing about the release of Thor at the end of summer. He is stressing about Israel his best friend being away for most of the summer. And he is stressing about Babycakes, the class rabbit, who has gone home with Jenny. But while Bat is stressing and worrying about Thor, his friends and family are becoming more concerned about and for him. And the story culminates in a Family meeting, where even his Father is there, and his best friend Israel. And Bat is in for a huge surprise.

But to find out what that surprise is you will need to read the book.

Our Ratings:
9 year old – 5/5 Stars
12 year old 5/5 Stars
50 year old 5/5 Stars

9 Year Old’s Own Words:
“The third Bat book was very touching and moving to me. I was happy with how his family and friends surrounded him and supported him. It is an awesome book and I give it 5 golden stars.”

12 year old:
“I really liked this book. It was very good read. I really appreciate the Bat stories.”

The illustrations in this volume are wonderful. It is a great early chapter book for young readers. The story is powerful enough to move almost any reader. And the characters are very well written and fleshed out. Our only regret is this is the last of the adventures of Bat and Thor. We absolutely loved this book and the whole trilogy! They are amazing reads. To be honest as we read the last few pages of this book, both my youngest daughter and I had a few tears.

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books in the BAT series.

[Laura Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful ending to this series!!!! Love!!!

[Ashley Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My boys really enjoyed this read aloud and it sparked some good conversation about autism and how we treat people who are different from us. Cute, happy ending.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful final book in a 3 book series. Bat gets his wish.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great conclusion to a wonderful series. We loved seeing Bat continue to grow, to learn from mistakes, and to overcome challenges. And again this book gently weaves Bat’s autistic traits into the story in a way that helps readers understand him better.

It was not a surprise that in the end Bat gets to keep Thor. But it was kind of surprising that at no point did Bat’s mom encourage him to raise Thor in a way that he could be released later on. I was kind of expecting them to take Thor to the skunk rehab place they talked about and train him. But they just kept raising him like a pet. And that made it feel like it was always the plan to keep him. I think it would have been more realistic-feeling if they had actually acted like they were going to release him.

Also, Bat’s parents are divorced in this series and this last book has a minor storyline involving his dad having a new girlfriend. I skipped over a bit about how going from friends to dating involves more kissing. Maybe fine for a lot of families, but for my particular kids and their particular ages, I didn’t feel the need to read that part. But that’s a very minor issue.

Overall, we loved this series. It’s heartwarming and funny and relatable and gentle. Highly recommended.

[Fabiano · Rating 4 out of 5]

WIt made me laugh. It made me cry.
It warmed my heart and soul.
I'm so happy I had the chance to meet Bat and his family and friends through these three books.

And Thor too! Lets not forget the cutest baby skunk I the whole world.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great end to the series. Probably my least favorite of the 3, the ending is more of an everyone works out than a dealing with when things don't work out perfectly, but I still love the characters and their relationships and growth are amazing. Highly recommend the series.

A4 R5 K5

[Stacy Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bat is a neuro-diverse boy who is finishing 3rd grade. He is facing the imminent departure of a skunk kit he has been fostering. Fast paced chapters. 3rd-5th

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book in this series.

[Ashley Fritch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ollie gives this book a 5/5, and I agree! We have enjoyed the adventures of Bat and Thor and were so excited yesterday to find out that the author will be writing more Bat books!!

[Erica Gabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter as we finish this “mom are you ok?” 😭

How can anyone rate this anything but 5 stars. This was such a beautiful story.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

we listened to this audiobook on a road trip with the kids. they were very connected to the main character and his pet skunk.

[Kirsti Call · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I thought she was getting a ride home with Ezra," Bat said. He knew his voice sounded whiny, but he couldn't make it sound different.

A BOY CALLED BAT and BAT AND THE WAITING GAME, are two of my favorite recent chapter books. BAT AND THE END OF EVERYTHING is the perfect end to the trilogy. It masterfully shows the inner life of an autistic boy. Well written and beautifully illustrated, this book is fun to read and will resonate with kids and adults alike. The friend and family relationships and portrayal of autism and it's challenges are authentic and compelling.

BAT is quirky, likable and genuine. His reactions to the world and to other people show how he misunderstands people's cues, yet it is obvious that his intentions are always good. Throughout the book, people misunderstand BAT'S good intentions, particularly when he speaks very literally without realizing how it will make others feel.

In this third book, BAT has a better understanding of how other people might misunderstand him and keeps some of his thoughts to himself in a way he wouldn't have earlier. His sibling relationship has changed also. Janie, his older sister seems to understand BAT better and voluntarily spends time with him. She also has hard days in this book which helps BAT realize that he's not the only one who struggles.

I love how well BAT cares for Thor, his skunk, how much he worries about releasing Thor into the wild, and how both Thor and BAT calm down when they are together. The book covers themes of loss, autism, divorce, diversity, pet care, parents dating new people, friendship, siblings, and connection.

I highly recommend all three books! Both my 8 year old son and I found each one compelling and thought provoking.

[Sandra Foriers · Rating 3 out of 5]

The A Boy Called Bat series follows young Bixie Alexander Tam, nicknamed Bat. His mother is a veterinary and comes home one day with an orphaned skunk kit. Bat gets to take care of the skunk, whom he calls Thor, until Thor is old enough to be put back into the wild.

In this third installment in the series, we see how Bat struggles with the idea of having to let his beloved skunk kit go.

I really liked this premise right from the start. Bat, who is somewhere on the autism spectrum, has to cope with a lot of changes in his life. The end of the school year is near and that means Bat has to say goodbye to his teacher mr Grayson and Babycakes, the class bunny. His father introduces him to his new girlfriend. What's worse, Bat's best friend Israel is leaving for the summer, which means he might not be back to support Bat when he needs to let Thor go.

What I love most about this series is how the author succeeds in creating an incredibly diverse cast of characters without forcing this diversity on her readers. Aside from Bat's autism, the author also hints at the fact that Bat has a non-caucasian ethnicity. Bat's parents are divorced and his friend group, especially his best friend Israel are heavily implied to be non-white. I love how this whole mix of colourful people blends so nicely without ever feeling like Elana K. Arnold was just checking off some representation boxes.

Every situation is also described so incredibly realistically. I really felt for poor little Bat who was struggling to cope with all these changes.

However, this is undercut by the ending. After three books of building up tension to the emotional goodbye between Bat and Thor, the author completely undercuts this by letting Bat keep Thor.

I find this problematic on so many levels. First of, as I mentioned before, this ending completely undercuts the emotional build-up the author had so carefully constructed throughout the books. Now it just feels a bit lazy.

Secondly, I also believe that this sends out a very problematic message. Skunks are wild animals, and therefore belong in the wild. By letting Bat keep Thor, the author basically tells us it's okay to keep wild animals as pets, just as long as we take good care of them. THIS IS NOT OK! As an adult, I know this, but the target audience for this book is younger middle graders. We should be really careful with sending out this type of message.

But what I'm most disappointed about, is the fact that we missed out on an incredibly interesting and valuable lesson on letting go because the author was afraid to kill her darlings. Or rather, to set them free in the wild again.

[Wallis · Rating 3 out of 5]

9/10 on the series as a whole. enjoyed all the characters, the family dynamics, the plot. did not like the ending. as someone who works with animals and loves animals a lot like Bat - I did not think it was a good ending for Bat to keep Thor. I think it would’ve shown a lot more growth and realism had Bat had to accept releasing his beloved pet into the wild.

Furthermore, Bat never is told that he is autistic. So many times throughout this series I had been waiting for his mom and dad to get together to talk to him about it - I fully believe that it is so important to tell a child that he is autistic once they start to realise there’s something different about them. Bat has gone through these thoughts, he has thought about how he’s different from others and struggles with certain things that seem to come easy to everyone else, but his autism is never once brought up to him. This may not seem like a big deal but I’m tired of people acting like being autistic is a bad thing that should be hidden away and not talked about

[Katie Reilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed BAT’s character so much, especially since he was a mirror book for a student of mine. Really liked BAT’s character growth between books one and three, and loved how his circle of “people” grew with each story. Perfect ending to a great early MG trilogy, and I learned a bit about skunks, too!

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bat and Thor are absolutely adorable together. I enjoyed reading about their bonding and being an animal lover, I wanted to look up baby skunks. The ending was very sweet and it made me smile.

[Red · Rating 4 out of 5]

The End of Everything winds down into Bat and Thor's friendship coming to an end after a lot of growth. Will they part or not? Well, that should have been obvious from book one and book two. No, of course not. Forcing a young child to part from his emotional security skunk simply sounds cruel.

Bat cares for Thor and does his research and in this final book you get the culmination of all that care and love. A boy and his skunk.

End of Everything is more like the beginning of Bat and Thor having a happier life with less stress and sadness, to release Thor would leave him with almost no survival skills and Bat feeling torn apart as autistic kids don't handle loss well in many cases.

I have seen complaints from parents over how author basically tells us it's okay to keep wild animals as pets, just as long as we take good care of them. It's not a bad message, especially when the age range for books like these isn't simply five or six. Instead it can become a great message for kids, but also pointing out rescued animals not just wild animals. Kids might look at animals entirely differently. They might read up on the dwindling populations due to climate change and habitat loss.
As rescued animals might not always stand a chance out there. Which is actually true in real life especially with human-raised animals so Bat getting to keep Thor after so much human exposure and rearing without his instincts would be done if not Thor going to a zoo or preserve where, what do you know, he'd also be cared for by humans of all ages. I think you took the message a bit differently, the message was a rescued animal doesn't always need to be released, their life spans in the wild are short and full off stress.

Not to mention skunks are among the lesser wild animals with them, raccoons, sugar gliders, and parrots all barely domesticated but making for amazing pets. While Thor is wild to a point, he's perfect pet material.

I knew from book one, halfway through he'd be keeping the skunk, how was in the air, but it's clear Bat puts a lot more care into raising an animal and in doing that it shows any animal can be a pet with the right care, a great moral. Much better than some other books where people are quick to put down a wild orphaned animal or leave them to nature. With the world as it is right now, we too can help animals, even if it means we shouldn't be Bat but instead become a vet or rescuer like the characters in these books.

4.5 stars, these books are fast reads and very good for the autism spectrum character representation. The book world needs more Bats.

[Munchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite not liking the first book, pushing through the second book and thinking it was okay, here I am at the 3rd book. It's a decent read yet again and this time the ending doesn't feel like it is a sudden end like the previous books. It has an ending that feels complete, however the ending may disappoint you.

This entire time the story was supposed to be building up for Thors release into the wild, which is his baby skunk he's helped raise. But with a shocking turn of events, he's allowed to keep Thor. Why would the author do this? It teaches kids it's okay to have wild animals, so long as you think your caretaking is the best for the animal vs being released. And secondly, his own mother who's a vet and kept saying to Bat our main character, he's not going to keep him, he needs to understand this, he suddenly is given a pass by his own mom. She should have known better! What the heck! It's so frustrating. Why does this author cause me so much stress over the decisions she's made. Oh right, cause now there's a 4th book on the way. That's why. Let's milk the story and world of Bat now so that we can keep going instead of just finishing it with three books.

I know I rated it 3 stars but it's more like a 2.5 for me. Bat is still rude, despite us learning in the second book that he is autistic. It makes me want to stop reading when nothing is resolved by the mom when he starts being rude to his sister or even to a girl at his mom's clinic. He never gets punished. That his mother and teacher tend to give Bat more grace than with Jaine the other kid in the book which is his sister. It makes you not care so much for Bat, despite him being the main character.

The positive things in the book are the pictures, how some characters are diverse and that we have legit facts about Skunks in here. Bat is a good care taker, despite not liking him. And yes, I'll read the 4th book cause once I've started a series, I gotta finish it.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bat is reaching the end of 3rd grade. While most kids are getting excited about summer break, Bat is worried about who will take care of the class pet bunny. His teacher wants him to do it, but can Bat take care of a bunny and a skunk? He's also not eager for the summer because he knows that the summer means it will be time for Thor, the skunk kit he's been caring for, to be released into the wild. And that is most definitely not a happy thought. Will the summer be awful, or will it have good things too?

Elana K. Arnold has done a marvelous job of creating a character who realistically depicts a child on the autism spectrum. Bat is high functioning, though he struggles with word play and social cues and overstimulation either emotion or sensation-wise. Arnold has written him with great coping strategies for many of his known challenges, and he is still very realistically a 3rd grade boy. The summer holds both joys (helping out at his mom's vet clinic) and challenges (from worrying about animals to a new friend his dad has and summer heat). I didn't read book 2 in this series, but had absolutely no trouble skipping from book 1 to this one. It wasn't until the very end that anything was mentioned that happened in book 2. This reads like a border book for upper lower grade readers ready to venture into the middle grade world. Recommended for animal lovers, summer story fans, and those wanting to better understand kids on the autism spectrum.

No content issues.

[John Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm an Elana Arnold fan, but haven't read the two books preceding this one in the series. I don't think it's necessary to do so in order to enjoy this story. Anyone who knows children with autism, and/or have experience in mental health or education will quickly recognize how well the author captures the importance and sometime fragility of routines for kids like BAT. His family interactions, limited verbal filter, the descriptions of his routines and inner mental dialogue are spot on. Likewise how his friends and family members interact with him. This is a boy who probably loves and relates to animals more than people, but has friends and cares for Babycakes, the classroom bunny. He worries about his ability to care for her as well as Thor, the baby skunk during the summer vacation. Thor was rescued by his mother, a veterinarian and assigned to his care. BAT's worries including his best friend going to visit a Canadian cousin for much of the summer, as well as the impending release of Thor back into the wild weigh on his mind. Readers will learn a lot about how such a critter can become a lovable pet, if certain rules are followed. BAT's adherence to these, while noticing how his friends and sister also follow them, enriches the story considerably. This is a very good choice for both school and public libraries where autism awareness, or kids who live animals are patrons.

[Johannah A Classy Rebel Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Bat and the End of Everything,” by Elana K. Arnold, deals with changes and saying goodbye. Bat is having a hard time with third-grade drawing to a close. Bat will have to say goodbye to his teacher and the class pet. Bat’s friend will be gone on a long vacation, so they can’t hangout. Worse yet, they have to release the skunk kit, Thor, into the wild soon. Will Bat be able to convince his mother they should keep Thor or will he have to goodbye?

(Book 87 of 100) Okay, I’m not going to lie, this book made me cry. It is so hard saying goodbye and starting a new chapter in your life. I’m definitely the worse at this in my family. I’m always the person asking for one more hug! I give this book a 5/5-star rating. I recommend this book for any classroom setting, people who like animals, and heartfelt children’s books.

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[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good ending to a very decent series. Bat does not want to let his skunk go. His dad is moving on in life and has found a "friend". He doesn't do the best job of introducing his new friend to Bat and his sister. He realizes that Janie can have friend problems too and that Janie has ways to show that she loves him. Bat also deals with not taking home the class pet, leaving his teacher and having his friend go away in the summer.

This is a really good series which would help kids to better understand autism. It is also interesting book about growing up, friends, divorce, sibling relationships, veterinarians. It is certainly well rounded. The illustrations are amazing.

I liked the letter at the end about skunk experts. I was wondering how Thor was going to make it in the wild after so much human interaction.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the end of the school year. BAT has to say good bye to Israel, Babycakes and pretty soon, even Thor. BAT can't stand the idea of saying goodbye. He describes it with words that broke my heart:

BAT pictured Thor scampering away, his fluffy black-and-white tail disappearing into the bushes at the regional park, which Mom had already decided would make a good "forever home" for Thor.
What if that was the last thing BAT ever saw of Thor? That white stripe, the rear end of him, leaving BAT forever?

Luckily, it has a happy ending. You'll have to read it to find out what happens!

I feel like there will be a book 4 too. In this book, BAT's dad introduces them to his new friend. Janie doesn't like the idea one bit and BAT is confused about whether she's a friend or a girlfriend. We are left hanging on that issue.

[Melanie Bracco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed Bat) can't help but feel time is moving much too fast, and everything seems to be coming to an end. The last day of third grade is almost here, his best friend Israel is leaving for a long vacation to Canada, and Thor, the cute and beloved skunk kit that Bat has been taking good care of is growing big; and the time is quickly approaching when he is to be released into the wild.
But there is a lot of good things to look forward to in the summer, working with his mom at the vet clinic, and spending time with his sister, Janie.
I was elated to discover that there is another book to this series, because I love Bat, an extraordinary boy on the autism spectrum and Thor, the adorable skunk kit and all the characters in these books. I loved the illustrations too, especially the photoshoot pictures Janie takes of Bat and Thor.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the BAT series, and it does not disappoint! Bat is fearful that as school ends and summer begins, that Thor, his pet skunk, will be ready to be released into the wild....and that’s exactly what Bat doesn’t want! Also, he’s concerned that the class pet, a bunny named Babycakes, will not have a good enough caretaker over the summer. He’s always screwing up things with his sister Janie, his friend Israel is away for the summer, and his dad just doesn’t get him. What is Bat going to do?

This is a sweet finale to the Bat series. I’d recommend this series to kids in middle elementary grades, anyone who loves a cute story, and anyone looking for stories involving kids on the autism spectrum. Bat is a kid you won’t forget!!

[Hugh Mcdonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I smiled the whole way through Bat and the End of Everything by @elanakarnold It is a quick read, and I recommend this book for kids of any age. This is the 3rd & final book in this series. I adore Bat! It’s a beautiful story about a young boy named “BAT” who has a love for animals & lives with high-functioning autism. The story is told from his perspective & the conversations throughout the book model that Bat is seen as himself & valued by the adults & his peers in his life for his strengths of compassion & curiosity all while nurturing a baby skunk & developing his understanding of friendships and emotions. It is such a sweet story & highly recommended trilogy. #mcdreads #sd36learn