Bat and the Waiting Game -- Blog Tour


I'm so happy to join the blog tour for the latest book about Bat by Elana K. Arnold. This one comes out at the end of March!



Bat and the Waiting Game by Elana K. Arnold
(Publishing March 27, 2018) ISBN: 978-0-06-244585-8
The second book in the irresistible and “quietly groundbreaking”* young middle grade series starring Bat, 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. Bat just wants everything to go back to normal. He just has to make it to the night of Janie’s performance…

*Kirkus Reviews



My Thoughts:
I thought I loved the first book about Bat (and yes, I really did), but this one really made me smile. I loved how Bat was so understandable and relatable. He's impulsive and has trouble with his sister and with friendships - and his autism is just one piece of who he is. The people who share his world love him, but they don't handle him with kid gloves. Sometimes they make adaptations for him, and sometimes he has to learn to adapt for them. His family has typical problems getting along. I adore the fact that any child who reads about Bat will be able to relate to him. 

Bat's love for animals is essential. His difficulty dealing with change is just part of him. He makes good and bad choices, and they make his story one that made me laugh and smile as well as hurt for him at times. I love the fact that kids can get to know a kid with autism like Bat, and that the things that help him be more comfortable in his world are treated respectfully and as "no big deal". 

Who will like this book:
Teachers who want a great read-aloud for 2-4th graders.
Kids who love animals
Kids who don't always get along with their siblings
Kids and teachers who want to begin to understand people they may know who have autism. 


(I also joined the blog tour for the first book about Bat! Check it out for some fun veterinarian resources.)



Elana K. Arnold grew up in California, where she, like Bat, was lucky enough to have her own perfect pet — a gorgeous mare named Rainbow —and a family who let her read as many books as she wanted. She is the author of picture books, middle grade novels, and books for teens, including the National Book Award finalist title What Girls Are Made Of. Elana lives in Huntington Beach, California, with her husband, two children, and a menagerie of animals. She calls the “Bat” series for Walden Pond Press “books of her heart.” You can find her online at www.elanakarnold.com.
Check out the educator's guide!  It includes resources about understanding autism, social and emotional learning, activities, and classroom read-aloud suggestions.


TOUR STOPS
3/12 For Those About to Mock, @abouttomock Sam Eddington
3/15 Mrs. Knott’s Book Nook @knott_michele Michele Knott
3/15 @iowaamber Amber Kuehler
3/16 The Hiding Spot @thehidingspot Sara Grochowski
3/18 Educate*Empower*Inspire…Teach @guerette79 Melissa Guerrette
3/19 Maria’s Melange @mariaselke Maria Selke
3/20 Nerdy Book Club post by Elana
3/20 Writers Rumpus @kirsticall Kirsti Call
3/22 Bluestocking Thinking @bluesockgirl Nicole Levesque
3/28 Unleashing Readers @unleashreaders Kellee Moye


Source of book -- I received an ARC from the publisher but my thoughts are my own.

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