Elana K. Arnold

Bixby Alexander Tam, known to everyone as Bat, thrives on routine and predictability. However, the approaching summer threatens to upend everything he holds dear. The end of third grade means saying a difficult goodbye to his favorite teacher and worrying about who will take care of Babycakes, the beloved class pet, over the break. To make matters worse, his best friend is leaving for an extended vacation in Canada, leaving Bat feeling isolated. The biggest and most heartbreaking change of all involves Thor, the adorable skunk kit Bat has been painstakingly caring for. Thor is growing up rapidly and the day for his release back into the wild is quickly approaching. Bat knows it is the right thing to do, but letting go of his animal best friend feels impossible. Amidst the swirling anxieties of these major transitions, the summer does hold some bright spots. Bat looks forward to spending more time working alongside his mother at her veterinary clinic and hanging out with his older sister, Janie. As he navigates the overwhelming feeling that his world is ending, Bat must learn to process his deep emotions, adapt to uncomfortable changes, and discover that saying goodbye to one chapter simply makes room for a new one to begin.

Bixby Alexander Tam, who prefers to be called Bat, knows that life is full of unexpected surprises. As a boy on the autism spectrum, he greatly prefers routines and animal facts over loud noises and unpredictable changes. Some surprises are difficult to handle, but today happens to be an incredibly good-surprise day. His mother, a dedicated veterinarian, arrives home from work carrying a tiny, orphaned baby skunk. She explains that the kit only needs temporary care until he is strong enough to be transferred to a wild-animal rescue shelter. However, the very second Bat locks eyes with the little skunk, he feels an instant and unbreakable bond. He names the kit Thor and immediately declares him the best pet in the entire world. Now, Bat is on a strict deadline. He has exactly one month to prove to his skeptical mother that a skunk can be a perfectly well-behaved and loving addition to their household. Along the way, Bat navigates the everyday challenges of school, connects with his older sister Janie, and discovers that caring for another creature might just be the key to opening up his own world.

Life is going exceptionally well for Bixby Alexander Tam, better known as Bat. He has settled into a comfortable routine as the primary caretaker for Thor, the absolute best baby skunk in the world. Even his older sister, Janie, has started to show a soft spot for the adorable animal. However, Bat's carefully structured world is thrown into chaos when Janie lands a role in the upcoming school play. With play practice consuming her afternoons, she can no longer watch Bat after school, and she begins spending her weekends having sleepovers with her new theater friends. Bat strongly dislikes these unexpected disruptions to his schedule. Someone else has to step in to help care for Thor, and the house feels strangely empty without Janie around. Navigating these uncomfortable changes forces Bat to step outside his comfort zone. He begins spending more time with his classmate Israel, slowly figuring out the complicated rules of making a real friend. Bat just has to survive the agonizingly long wait until the opening night of Janie's performance, hoping that once the curtain falls, his life can finally return to the normal he so deeply craves.