Not If I Can Help It

by Carolyn Mackler, Taylor Meskimen (Reading)

From award-winning Carolyn Mackler, the story of Willa, who has been living with Sensory Processing Disorder but is thrown for a BIG loop when her dad announces he's dating Willa's best friend's mom.Willa likes certain things to be certain ways. Her socks have to be soft . . . and definitely can't have irritating tags on the inside. She loves the crunch of popcorn and nachos . . . but is grossed out by the crunch of a baby carrot. And slimy foods? Those are the worst.Willa can manage all these things -- but there are some things she can't deal with, like her father's big news. He's been keeping a big secret from her . . . that he's been dating the mom of Willa's best friend Ruby. Willa does NOT like the idea of them being together. And she does NOT like the idea of combining families. And she does NOT like the idea of her best friend becoming her sister overnight. Will she go along with all of these changes? NOT if she can help it!

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Family, Disability, Contemporary

5 pages, Audiobook

First published July 30, 2019

About the author

Carolyn Mackler is the author of the popular teen novels, The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things (A Michael L. Printz Honor Book), Infinite in Between, Tangled, Guyaholic, Vegan Virgin Valentine, and Love and Other Four-Letter Words. Carolyn's novel, The Future of Us, co-written with bestselling author Jay Asher, received starred reviews and appeared on several bestseller lists. Carolyn has also written Best Friend Next Door, a novel for younger readers. Carolyn's novels have been published in more than twenty countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Korea, the Netherlands, Denmark, Israel, and Indonesia.

Carolyn lives in New York City with her husband and two sons. Her new novel for teens, The Universe is Expanding and So Am I, will be published in May 2018. This is the long-awaited sequel to the Printz-honor winning novel, The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things.

Reviews

[Afoma (Reading Middle Grade) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not If I Can Help It is a shining example of the way books can foster empathy. This middle-grade novel about a girl with sensory processing disorder is captivating and very realistic. It also features a soccer-loving Indian-American girl, childhood anxiety, and the mechanics of blending a family. I’d highly recommend this one to anyone curious about SPD and looking for a compelling middle-grade book. The audiobook is also excellent! Read my full review here.

[Shari · Rating 1 out of 5]

My daughter picked this up at the library to read for her summer reading program. She came to me and said she didn't feel comfortable when the author added a homosexual male babysitter to the storyline. This man tells the girls about his boyfriend... why must we sexualize and immoralize everything and aim it towards young children?!?!?

[Isla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it so much right after I finished it I looked for a squeal lol

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It's hard to explain sensory processing disorder. I guess it means that it's harder for me to be a person in the world than it is for most people."

I audibly gasped when I first heard about this book. The main character has sensory processing disorder, just like me! I have never before read a book about a girl who had sensory processing disorder. I did not realize how much I needed this book in my life until I started crying when sensory processing disorder was mentioned. Sensory processing disorder is not in the DSM and so is not well-known or is blown off as just a symptom of autism or ADHD. I am glad that Carolyn Mackler shared Willa's story and recognized that Willa's story is unique since sensory processing disorder does not look the same for everybody. I highly recommend this book. Not only is it a wonderful coming-of-age story, but it also provides insights into some of the struggles people like Willa and me experience on a daily basis. Overall, I am giving this book 5 stars.

[Racheli Zusiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

ספר חמוד מאוד שמתאים לכיתות הגבוהות של בית הספר היסודי.
ווילה היא ילדה בכיתה ה' בעלת הפרעה בוויסות חושי. ווילה עוברת כל מיני דברים בחייה הפרטיים - יריבות עם ילדה מהכיתה, זוגיות חדשה של אביה, מתח לקראת השיבוץ לחטיבת ביניים, ועוד ועוד, כשבמקביל היא צריכה להתמודד עם ההפרעה שלה, אותה היא מסתירה מחברתה הטובה ומשאר ילדי הכיתה. הסופרת מתארת בצורה ממש טובה את המהות של ההפרעה ואת ההתמודדות איתה. ספר מתוק ממש ומומלץ. העברתי לבן שלי, שיקרא.

[Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent story, and good for those who struggle with or know someone who struggles with sensory issues. Many things rang true. But I didn't love it, because at times it felt too fake. I didn't realize exactly what it was that bothered me until I read another reader's review that said everyone was way too supportive. I agree 100%. It was very unrealistic for every single person in her life to be so supportive, for everyone to basically get along perfectly with each other, etc. Even when there were little arguments at times, the way everyone made up so quickly and cheesily was rather unbelievable. Everyone was all about communication and expressing feelings to the point that it felt fake.
But with that said, it wasn't a bad book.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is the only book I’ve read with a main character who has Sensory Processing Disorder. I thought the author did a commendable job using her personal experience to explain what it’s like to live in a body that doesn’t always feel like a good fit. My only, although kind of major, complaint is that Willa read younger than fifth grade to me and it came off annoying and distracting. Putting that aside, this will absolutely be a necessary book for those dealing with SPD.

[Emelia Core · Rating 5 out of 5]

This. Book has so much drama and suspense and I LOVE IT❤️. I see a message that this book holds, the message is that even though your going through a sad time you have to get though it to get to the happy times!!!!!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willa and Ruby are best friends, but even though Willa has sensory processing disorder, she has never told anyone outside of her family and OT. When Willa finds out that her dad and Ruby’s mom have been secretly dating for a year and decide to get engaged, Willa’s carefully controlled life starts to fall apart. How will she be able to keep her secrets and be herself if Ruby moves in with her? This will be a great book recommendation to for students in grades 3-6 because there are so many different aspects of the story that kids may relate to: divorced and blended families, sensory processing disorders, anxieties, and wanting a dog so badly when you don’t have one of your own. It’s a great coming of age story that shows that change isn’t always a bad thing, even when it feels like your world is crumbling around you.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 4 out of 5]

NYC 6th grader Willa is best friends with classmate Ruby, but Willa keeps her sensory disorder a secret. When Willa’s dad and Ruby’s mom announce that they are dating and are planning to marry soon, instead of being thrilled to have her BFF as her sister, Willa is distraught about Ruby finding out about her unique needs that Willa feels will be seen as weird. For example, she uses a full body compression sock/bag to help calm her, she has weekly therapy with a sensory specialist, and she needs very specific clothing with no tags or seams or lumps. Adding to the complicated dynamics, Willa has finally earned her dream dog, but Ruby is discovered to be severely allergic. As the rest of their class worries about the arrival of their admission/rejection letters from prestigious middle schools, Willa’s worries are multitudinous. This is a very appealing realistic school and family story. One of Willa’s eventual options is to move in with her mom and stepdad who live upstate and where Willa and her brother spend every weekend. The divorced parents are very cooperative and work together with Willa to help her make the best choice for herself. Ruby’s divorced parents reflect the more common stereotype of the dad who left and favors his new family over his first daughter. This title is a great addition to middle grade literature as it deals realistically with school stress, the stigma of misunderstood and/or uncommon mental/physical disorders, and divorced and blended families.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was sweet, honest and surprisingly intimate. Willa is fully aware of her SPD and is working hard to manage her outbursts and to control her reactions, and many kids will identify with her struggles. The emotions are honest and are explored in a way that middle-grade readers will recognize and self-identify.
I appreciated the struggle Willa had between accepting change to her family structure, and her desire to keep her friendship pure. I also appreciated that the divorced parents are a cohesive team, despite the mom having moved on and married someone else and living in another place. No evil step-parents or cliches here!
Mackler is known for her funny yet sensitive and relatable stories involving main characters who struggle with fitting in (see: The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things, Best Friend Next Door). This time she explores life with Sensory Processing Disorder - something she knows intimately since both she and her son have been diagnosed with SPD.
Mackler does an excellent job of bringing us into Willa's world, and I felt every shiver and scratch described. It's a lovely, sensitive read that explores the emotional turmoil of two best friends finding out they are about to be sisters - and that means sharing some secrets they thought they could keep to themselves.
There's a great look at the different kinds of blended families, of how kids with different needs handle stress and change in their own unique way, and how growing up can be the scariest change of all.

[bitter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very pleased to see Sensory Processing Disorder represented in a book. Willa and Ruby are likable and real, and their struggles to navigate family and friendship changes read very authentically.

While it doesn’t over-focus on SPD, it so accurately represents life with SPD. Not sure there is any other fiction out there that addresses this so beautifully and accurately. And for people who have SPD but not autism - just standalone SPD - it's rare to see this covered anywhere.

Also nice is the fact that the story gains momentum and grace as it comes to a satisfying conclusion. Life may not be perfect, but when families and friends work together to help with the changes, it can get sweeter.

[Soojung Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Topics: 5th grade protagonist, sensory processing disorder, divorced parents, blended family, friendship, therapy, school life

I started reading this as a potential book to recommend to students, especially since the cover caught my eye. I stopped reading it about 60 pages in due to the fact the character who loves Lego, doesn't stop calling it Legos. Life is too short to read a book where the author doesn't get the little details right and whose content doesn't interest me and can't be recommended with good conscience to students.

Also, it'd be super helpful if in the book flap somewhere it was noted that it's a 5th grade protagonist... I just find those little details to be helpful in deciding target audience.

[Molly Arms · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bluestem 2025 - Book 3/20

Very cute, easy read about a young girl with sensory processing disorder who loves dogs and lego :) very much a close-to-home read for me. My biggest criticism is that it was wack of the parents to spring a relationship announcement and an engagement on a child that struggles with change in such a short amount of time. Feels like a true Bluestem pick.

[Sophia]

as someone with really bad sensory issues, i need this :(

[Laura Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 for Not if I can Help It by @carolynmacklerbooks; I've never read a middle grade book that specifically addresses sensory processing disorder before!

Put this book on your pre-order list for all elementary and middle school libraries. This is a wonderful #windowsandmirrors book to help students better understand SPD and how it affects people physically and emotionally. The rest of the story is wonderful, too. Readers will be drawn to Willa and her intense emotions about her changing family.

Willa has sensory processing disorder, which means "it's harder for [her] to be a person in the world than it is for most people." She hates tight socks, slimy textures, strong smells and has trouble controlling her energy. She's at the end of her fifth grade year and she and her best friend Ruby are excited to find out where they will be going to middle school. Then their parents (Willa's dad and Ruby's mom) spring some unexpected news on them: they have been dating and they're in love. Ruby is thrilled, but Willa has more complicated feelings about the news and impending changes to their family life.

#bookreview #mglit #ilovemg #readaroundmg #mgbooks #bookstagram #carolynmackler #notificanhelpit

[Misti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willa hates change, so when her father and her best friend Ruby’s mother announce in the middle of an ice cream parlor that they have been dating and have fallen in love, Willa doesn’t react well. Ruby thinks the romance is wonderful, but Willa thinks it’s the worst thing ever. Willa has Sensory Processing Disorder, so she has many routines and quirks that she doesn’t want to share with anyone, not even Ruby. Plus, what if their parents break up? What will become of their friendship?

This is a great middle-grade novel about adapting to change. Though each person’s experience of Sensory Processing Disorder is different, readers who have sensory issues are likely to relate to Willa’s experiences, as will readers who have experienced the complicated process of blending two families together. The writing is strong, and a small plot twist at the end made me smile. Recommended for kids and adults who enjoy realistic middle-grade fiction.

[SaraCat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to give this book 6 stars. This is definitely one of the best middle grade books I've read in a long time, but also just a great book, period. The book is told from the point of view of 11 year old Willa. And the way Mackler writes, the reader gets a real strong sense of what it is like to live in her head and in her body. She tackles subjects like friendship, family, change, and more.

This might be a book that after a younger reader finishes it, to have a space for them to talk about it with others if they want. Either because Willa introduces them to things they haven't known about before or because they find a connection with her experiences. Though, I think this is a book even older readers could benefit from reading.

[Sherry Guice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book--the point of view of a girl with sensory perception problems. Too bad the protagonist is in 5th grade--a bit young for me to try to get 7th and 8th graders to read...loved the adults in the story, annoying students come to be understood in the plot and the main characters learn to feel less shame about their problems...overall message of everyone has something with which they struggle...so true.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willa lives with her brother and their divorced Dad. She has sensory processing disorder, which she has managed to keep secret from her friends at school. When she finds out that her Dad has been dating her best friend's mom, it throws Willa for a loop.

NC EBOB selection 2020/2021. Some of the conflict in the story seems to be solved a little bit too easily but otherwise a good read.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much! Listened to the audio which was well done. I got emotionally involved with Willa and felt like, though her dad was
a great dad overall, he definitely made some preventable mistakes.And Avery-boy was she annoying!

[Arjun Manoj · Rating 5 out of 5]

It had just made me gasp. Willa is going through all this, especially with sensory processing disorder! Behind the scenes though, she is just lifting everybody's spirits. I love these books with happy endings!!!

[Jamie Klos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that this book was about blended families and diversity and sensory processing disorder. It was cool to learn more about how life looks to someone who has the disorder. Overall though, the book was just ok. As someone who is from a blended family, it seemed like the process of becoming a blended family was too easy. I would think Ruby would have more of a problem with having to move, or that she would have a problem sharing a room with Willa's brother. Also, all of the adults in the book seemed way too understanding of Willa's sensory processing disorder. I would think that some of the adults would try to help and end up doing more harm because they don't know the right thing to do. You see that a little bit in the book, but I would have liked to see more.

[Amiad]

לווילה בת ה־11 יש הפרעה בוויסות החושי, הורים גרושים וחברה ממש טובה בשם רובי. אבל הכול די בסדר עד שאבא שלה ואמא של רובי נהיים זוג.

ספר נחמד לנוער צעיר שמציג יפה את העומס בהפרעת הוויסות החושי של ווילה. מראש חשבתי שהוא לגיל מבוגר יותר ולכן הפריע לי קצת סגנון הכתיבה.

[Moriah Chavis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read with wonderful representation of sensory processing disorder and anxiety.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Scarlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really nice story, with a sweet feel-good ending.

[Joey J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything was perfect about it!

[Kaydence · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good

[Emily Hamburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book. It is an amazing book about friendship, kindness, and life.