When his veterinarian mom brought home an orphaned skunk kit, Bat transformed from mere animal-adoring third-grader to capable caretaker. In this follow-up to A Boy Called Bat (2017), Bat's world is changing once more. For one, the kit, Thor, is now a six-week-old "toddler" and his eventual return to the wild looms large. To top it off, Bat's older sister, Janie, snagged a starring role in the school play t afternoon rehearsals are keeping her from another major role: Bat's babysitter. Bat thrives on routine and these shake-ups spur some serious adjustments, but, with family, friends, and a furry creature or two by his side, it's nothing he can't handle. A winsome blend of humor and heart, vibrant characters, and laugh-out-loud dialogue, Arnold's narrative also gracefully explores life through the eyes of a boy on the autism spectrum. From his aversion to crowds to his struggles with friendship, the ever-lovable Bat is sure to resonate with readers of all ages. Santoso's sprightly black-and-white illustrations d a third series installment on the way ly sweeten the deal.

Miranda's family's ranchera band, Miranda y los Reyes, might move to the carnival main stage; meanwhile, Flor's family runs the carnival petting zoo, which might be cut to accommodate Miranda's band's main-stage salary. A fast-paced narrative, sprinkled with a bit of Spanish and alternating between the two protagonists, is set over the course of one eventful carnival day. An appealing story with great cultural specificity.

Bat, a biracial, autistic grade schooler with divorced parents, is raising a baby skunk, Thor.It's easy to read between the lines and imagine that might not end with a sweet smell. Bat's older sister, Janie, has just won a leading role in the school musical. Her interactions with friends and preparation for the play weave in and out of Bat's less-typical experiences as he navigates the complexities of friendship with white classmate Israel, tries to live up to his Chinese-American father's sometimes-unrealistic expectations, and manages the needs of Thor under the compassionate supervision of his white mom, a veterinarian. She and his teacher both have effective ways of helping Bat when he starts to lose control, and Israel matter-of-factly reminds him when he ought to be more polite. Bat's differences are there, but they never dominate the story, which focuses on the challenges of getting along with siblings and Bat's awareness that Thor is growing up and will have to be released eventually. That's made all the more evident when he tucks the skunk into his shirt and takes him to the play, where the inevitable occurs, emptying the auditorium during Janie's solo and ending the show under smelly circumstances.A gentle tale of shared similarities rather than differences that divide and a fine read-aloud with a useful but not didactic message of acceptance. (Fiction. 6-9)