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A review by nicolemhewitt
A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
The wonderful thing about this book is that it’s told from the POV of a boy on the autism spectrum, but that’s not at all what the story’s about. Bat’s voice feels authentic—his black and white thinking, his sensory sensitivities, his inability to make steady eye contact—and because we’re seeing the world through his eyes, we can understand the way his mind works. His mom’s obvious love and concern for him are evident, and the sibling rivalry with his older sister seems realistic. In the end, it’s hard not to fall in love with this little boy who wants nothing more than to keep a baby skunk as a pet. The book is simple—probably ideal for younger MG readers—but enjoyable. We get a little bit of animal science since Bat learns about skunks and his mom is a vet. Basically, this book will make you feel all marshmallowy inside and give you the urge to give little kids lots of hugs. I definitely plan to read the rest of these.
I listened to the audiobook, and thought that Patrick Lawlor did a wonderful job with the narration. He captured Bat’s innocent spirit perfectly.
The wonderful thing about this book is that it’s told from the POV of a boy on the autism spectrum, but that’s not at all what the story’s about. Bat’s voice feels authentic—his black and white thinking, his sensory sensitivities, his inability to make steady eye contact—and because we’re seeing the world through his eyes, we can understand the way his mind works. His mom’s obvious love and concern for him are evident, and the sibling rivalry with his older sister seems realistic. In the end, it’s hard not to fall in love with this little boy who wants nothing more than to keep a baby skunk as a pet. The book is simple—probably ideal for younger MG readers—but enjoyable. We get a little bit of animal science since Bat learns about skunks and his mom is a vet. Basically, this book will make you feel all marshmallowy inside and give you the urge to give little kids lots of hugs. I definitely plan to read the rest of these.
I listened to the audiobook, and thought that Patrick Lawlor did a wonderful job with the narration. He captured Bat’s innocent spirit perfectly.