“How do you say good-bye to a friend?”

From Elana K. Arnold’s Bat and the End of Everything.

As the end of third grade quickly approaches, Bat is stressed because Thor, the orphaned skunk kit that he’s been helping his veterinary mother raise, will soon be old enough to release back into the wild.  Bat is also stressed because his teacher has asked him to care for Babycakes, the class rabbit for the summer, but Bat doesn’t want to neglect Thor in any way.  When Babycakes is given to another student for the summer, Bat is nervous that she’ll be able to take good care of the rabbit, but all Bat’s worries are only increased by Israel spending the summer with his cousin in Canada. Janie is thrilled for summer vacation, but far, far less thrilled to meet their dad’s new friend, Suzette, on their every-other weekends with their dad. As the summer carries on, the one question that keeps coming up over and over is how soon will Thor be able to be released in the wild, and every time Bat thinks about it, his emotions threaten to overwhelm him. While Bat tries to prepare himself, his family and closest friends hatch a plan that just might change Bat’s life forever.

This sweet, but engaging story about a the special bond that a young boy with autism develops with a rescued skunk is captivating. Arnold easily crafts a story that is interesting while it also encourages understanding, especially when combined with the illustrations that are scattered throughout the book. The third and final installment in the Bat series is a quick read, but Bat and the End of Everything will have an impact on readers long after the story finishes.