  | Bat and the case of the yips (Bat Series) Author: Arnold, Elana K. | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed "Bat") has always been a pretty good baseball player, but for him, there are way better things to do, like caring for Thor, his pet skunk kit. In fact, if he could spend all his time with Thor, he would, except Bat's not allowed to bring Thor with him on every-other weekends with Dad. But that's about to change when Dad makes a deal with Bat.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 5.30 Points: 4.0 Quiz: 558317 |
Reviews:
School Library Journal (+) (03/20/26)
Booklist (03/01/26)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 03/01/2026 In his fifth appearance, autistic fourth-grader Bat struggles with weekend trips to his dad’s apartment. Dad can’t seem to remember that Bat needs quiet time to unwind, and he doesn’t allow Bat’s pet skunk, Thor, to visit. However, a deal is struck when Bat accepts Dad’s offer to play on his baseball team in exchange for getting to bring Thor over. But when Bat finds the arrangement is not to his liking, will a fake case of “the yips” help with his problem or make things worse? Illustrated with engaging line drawings, the latest in Arnold’s series explores the delicate maneuvering that takes place between friends and family. Bat’s indifference to baseball despite his ability is contrasted nicely with the love of the game exhibited by both his father and his friend Israel, raising the point that desire and talent do not always go together. The third-person narrative allows the reader a glimpse into Bat’s rationale and the shift that occurs as he begins to understand others’ perspectives through gentle, honest conversations. - Copyright 2026 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 03/20/2026 Gr 3–6—Bixby Alexander Tam (a.k.a. Bat) returns in the latest series installment. Bat's friend Israel is excited to play baseball and wants Bat to play too—but Bat only agrees because his dad, who is coaching the team, says Bat can bring his pet skunk Thor to his house on Every-Other Weekends if he does. Bat thinks this is a good deal, but his veterinarian mom isn't so sure. When Bat fears he'll be roped into playing forever, he fakes the yips to get out of it, inadvertently hurting his teammates. Bat is deeply relatable ("Oh, it was hard to be a person") whether readers are neurotypical or neurodivergent, and secondary characters, including Bat's parents, friends, and sister Janie, are well developed with their own problems, concerns, and perspectives. Readers may read this book as a standalone, but those who have read previous books in the series will appreciate the ways in which Bat has matured; he still struggles to understand why other people don't share all his interests and is frustrated that his dad doesn't understand his needs the way his mom does, but he's quick to empathize and to make amends when he's hurt someone; a conversation with his dad reveals that they have more in common than Bat ever thought. Bat is biracial, with Chinese American and white parents. VERDICT A home run of a series that can stand alone, recommended for all younger middle grade collections.—Jenny Arch - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
