  | 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.
Reviews:
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.
