efruitsnack's review against another edition
5.0
This is a wonderful story about an autistic boy named Bat who falls in love with a baby skunk his mother has rescued at her vet clinic. This is a fast-paced book that will keep the attention of the reader without being too quick. The main character, Bat is a sweet likable boy. None of the characters are annoying or particularly unlikeable. Overall, the book was enjoyable and I found myself getting swept into the story. "A Boy Called Bat" introduces a main character with autism but never uses harmful stereotypes or cliches to enhance the plot. Since the book is told in the third person which follows Bat and his thoughts, it allows the reader to see the world fully through his lens without judging his point of view. This book truly allows the reader to have a deeper understanding of the challenges children with autism might be facing in school and social atmospheres. I would recommend this book to anyone with elementary school children (1st to 3rd grade) and any adults looking for good children's literature.
thejenstamps's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Such an adorable book! We read it out loud as a family for a school project. We absolutely loved this book.
jcarsrud's review against another edition
3.0
Great for a 1st-3rd grader, especially an animal lover.
mb101's review against another edition
4.0
It's... nice. Honestly, it's a great book for the target audience. I was surprised by how well the author integrated Bat's strengths and weaknesses without sugar coating anything, and kept the book positive. It also showed divorce in a realistic way without demonizing either parent- a nice change.
Overall, nice book, and I would recommend it be a read aloud book.
Overall, nice book, and I would recommend it be a read aloud book.
literatehedgehog's review against another edition
3.0
Warm and gentle, like soaking in a bath tub. There are middle grade themes (divorced parents, making friends, wanting a pet, arguing with a sibling), but they are handled just as subtly and gently as the main character's autism is. The author's note talks about skunks rather than ASD, which was surprising but sweet. (Tangent, I was really put off by Ann M. Martin's author note in Rain Reign, about spending one day watching one class of students). Either way, the author shows knowledge, and most importantly, respect, for people with autism, and I cannot emphasize that enough.
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
Short review, I am still unsure how to write one for this book. It was good, and I could relate to quite a few things that our MC with autism had. It is quite a first, generally I don't relate so much when I read a book about autism, but Bat was truly written well. However I didn't like how he kept pushing for the skunk. I get that he wants to keep the critter, but it is a wild animal, it should go out in the wild. Not stay in some crammed house. He was obsessed. And that is just not healthy.
I was sad for his sister though, it isn't easy to have a brother with autism, and you can see that at times she has a tough time.
I was sad for his sister though, it isn't easy to have a brother with autism, and you can see that at times she has a tough time.
sandraagee's review against another edition
4.0
Sweet little story. Bat appears to be on the spectrum but is never specifically defined as such in the narration. His ticks reminded me a bit too much of my own kid.