Bat and the Waiting Game

Consult organizations like PACLA that advocate for autism acceptance and research specific ways that parents can support the well-being of children with neurodivergence. To what extent do Dr. Tam’s and Mr. Tam’s actions and perspectives align with your findings? How do the parents’ differing levels of understanding of Bat’s neurodivergence shape his relationships with them and contribute to the author’s message?

In what ways does Thor function as a character rather than simply a motif? What personality traits does the young skunk exhibit, and how does he advance the protagonist’s characterization and the novel’s themes?

Identify specific literary elements, such as details about characterization and plot events, that advocate for acceptance of autism and neurodiversity. How does the autism acceptance movement inform the novel’s mood, themes, and overall meaning?

How does Bat and Janie’s relationship evolve over the course of the story? What factors contribute to these changes, and how does their sibling dynamic develop the novel’s thematic emphasis on The Challenges Navigating Shifting Family Relationships?

Select two supporting characters, and compare their personality traits and relationships with Bat. How does each illustrate The Need for Supportive Environments by contributing to and/or detracting from the protagonist’s support system?

The skunk kit sculpture that Israel gives Bat symbolizes friendship. What other objects in the narrative take on symbolic significance?

Conduct research on the differences in the perceptions and behavior of children with autism compared to their neurotypical peers. How does this background help to inform Bat’s experiences and the novel’s realism?

How does Bat and the Waiting Game compare to other middle-grade stories about neurodivergence, such as Rob Harrell’s Schneider Family Book Award-winning novel Popcorn (2024) and Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s New York Times-bestselling novel Fish in a Tree (2015)? How does each author use fiction to advocate for empathy and inclusivity?