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.

• A Neurodivergent Protagonist: Follow Bat, a kid on the autism spectrum, as he navigates the anxieties of a new classroom, a new teacher, and too many new rules.
• Social Emotional Learning: A gentle story that explores understanding others’ perspectives, especially when his classmate Lucca reveals she doesn’t want a class pet at all.
• Problem-Solving Fun: When a whole "business of ferrets" shows up at his mom’s vet clinic, Bat and his best friend Israel hatch a plan to convince their teacher to adopt the perfect one.
• A Heartfelt Animal Story: Perfect for young animal lovers, this story is filled with compassion for creatures big and small, from a beloved class rabbit to a rescued deaf ferret named Ghost.
• Beloved Chapter Book Series: Join Bat on his fourth adventure in this acclaimed series celebrated for its warmth, empathy, and authentic portrayal of friendship and family.