A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Winner! The bestselling Bat returns! Bat and the Business of Ferrets is the fourth title in National Book Award finalist Elana K. Arnold’s heartfelt and widely acclaimed series featuring an unforgettable young boy on the autism spectrum.

Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed “Bat”) is about to start fourth grade—and unfortunately for him, everything is changing: There's a new teacher, a new classroom, new seats…and new rules. Mr. Grayson, Bat’s third grade teacher, had a lovable class rabbit named Babycakes who Bat could visit anytime he needed a break. But Mr. Peña does not have a class rabbit. In fact, Mr. Peña doesn't believe in class pets at all. And for Bat, that’s one change too many.

Bat and his best friend, Israel, know they need to convince Mr. Peña to change his mind about class pets—and when a business of friendly ferrets arrives at Bat's mom's veterinary clinic, they think they've found the perfect pet to do so. But when they discover that their classmate Lucca also doesn't like the idea of an animal in the classroom, Bat starts to worry that things will never be the way they were again.

What happens when your perfect plan runs into an unexpected problem?

• Heartfelt School Story: Follow Bat into fourth grade as he faces a new teacher, a new classroom, and a new set of rules that feel all wrong.
• Problem Solving for Kids: When an adorable business of ferrets arrives at his mom’s vet clinic, Bat and his best friend Israel hatch a plan to make one of them the new class pet.
• Understanding Different Perspectives: Bat can’t understand why his classmate Lucca doesn’t want an animal in the room, forcing him to see the world through someone else's eyes.
• Animal Rescue Story: Perfect for young animal lovers, this story features Bat’s beloved pet skunk, a grumpy class rabbit, and a business of ferrets in need of a home.