A Skunk, A Third Grader, and Lots of Learning about Points of View, Empathy, and Understanding Others

A Boy Called Bat written by Elana K. Arnold with drawings by Charles Santoso

Hello, Readers!

This week our second and third grade book club members are discussing A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold. This book is the first in a series starring an authentic, unforgettable autistic character. The story brings empathy and understanding to the forefront as it encourages readers to understand multiple points of view, communicate, and help each other. Readers will love the characters in this book, but they will also be reminded of how good it feels when we taking time to understand others.

For Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed Bat), life tends to be full of surprises—some of them good, some of them not so good. Today, though, is a good surprise day. Bat’s mom, a veterinarian, has brought home a stray 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 just might make a pretty terrific pet.

Source: book jacket

Possible Discussion Questions:*

1. What is Bat’s main interest? What is Bat's career goal?
2. Do you think some of Bat’s senses are more sensitive than yours? Less sensitive? The same? 
3. How does Bat feel about experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of the clinic compared to when he is at school? Why?
4. Why does Bat’s mom think his dresser drawers are a mess? Why does Bat think they are organized? Is either one right or wrong? Why or why not?
5. How did Thor help Bat grow emotionally? What changes did you see within Bat and his actions after getting Thor?
6. What persuasive techniques did Bat use throughout the book to try to get his mom to agree to let him keep Thor?
7. What makes Mr. Grayson a good teacher in general, and what makes him a good teacher specifically for Bat?
8. Bat’s teacher Mr. Grayson has an “open-door Babycakes policy” in his classroom. What does that mean? How does Bat feel about Babycakes?
9. Even though Bat and Israel don’t understand how to interact with each other well, they eventually become friends. How does their shared interest in animals help? How does Mr. Grayson help?
10. Although Bat has difficulty understanding the emotion in a facial expression, he understands other body language well.  How does he know he can trust Israel with Thor?
11.  Bat’s dad says, “you sure inherited my sweet tooth,” but what he means is “you sure inherited my liking for sweets.” Why does Bat find this figure of speech funny?

*Some discussion questions based on Walden Pond Press Educator's Resource for A Boy Called Bat

Curriculum Connections:

• Life Skills (communication, appreciating differences, problem solving, listening, understanding other points of view)
• Science (skunks, animal needs)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (neurodiversity)

What 2nd and 3rd Grade Book Club Members Thought:

• Our rating: 3.8 out of 5
• "My favorite part was when Bat finally made a friend." --Sanika
• "One question I wondered was why Mr. Grayson had his face squinched up." --Rivian
• "One question I wondered was why Bat's mom and dad got divorced." --Nathan
• "My favorite part was when his mom said, 'Look in my eyes.'" --Boris
• "My favorite part was that Bat got a skunk and loved it." --Valeria
• "I wondered, was the skunk going to spray Bat." --Joliz
• "My favorite part was when they went over to their dad's house and watched the baseball game. Cause I like baseball." --Jake
• "One question I wondered was if Bat got to keep Thor." --Sanika
• "My favorite part was when Bat got to know Thor." --Nathan

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