Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Genuine kid voice wavers in tale of divorce and disability.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In NOT IF I CAN HELP IT, fifth-grader Willa Grover wants her life to be predicable. She's finally gotten used to living with her dad on weekdays and going to visit her mom on the weekends. She likes her girl-cave bedroom full of LEGOs; she wants -- no, needs -- her clothes to be soft, not clingy or itchy. She will not tolerate cream cheese on her bagel, and she really, really wants to get a dog. But what Willa doesn't want is for her best friend Ruby to know why these things are so important to her. She wants her private life to remain private. Because Willa has Sensory Processing Disorder, it means that her body is very uncomfortable with things that are standard for other people, such as the smell of scented candles, or wearing stiff jeans, which makes her feel like she's losing control. But when Willa finds out that her life and that of her best friend Ruby's are about to get more intertwined, WIlla has to decide whether she can manage the big changes coming her way. Ultimately, she needs to accept life for its imperfections, whether she wants to or not.
Is It Any Good?
This important exploration of life after divorce for a kid with challenges falls short of its potential. Though the plot points in Not If I Can Help It are there -- a conflict that seems insurmountable for the struggling main character and a twist that could drive the ending either way -- the narrative doesn't always sound true to a kid's thoughts. The narrator does a fair amount of explaining in an adult manner, which isn't as much fun as wholehearted kid-like immersion. Eleven-year-olds usually don't say that "everyone glances at you in pity" when a kid's sent to the time-out area of the room. Nor does it sound quite right for a kid to say "[we] struck a careful peace" when the "we" in this scenario are two 21st century fifth-graders in the middle of the biggest fight of their friendship.
Kids who struggle with sensory challenges or learning disabilities will appreciate that Willa wants to hide her challenges. Nobody wants to stick out. Wincing at references to her "broken home" also feels real, because Willa has fought to make the best of the divorce situation. Luckily, her parents make a real effort for their kids, and they work as a team. 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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the digital diets in Not If I Can Help It. WIlla's dad doesn't let the kids use phones or devices in their rooms, but Ruby's mom is more lax. What are the screentime rules in your family?
Willa's adversary, Avery, finds an old video of Willa on YouTube where she's doing something embarrassing. What do you allow to be put on the internet? What if something is posted without your permission?
How realistic does the portrayal of family life among divorced parents seem in Not If I Can Help It? What books or shows depict family life in a way that reflect your experiences or observations?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Family Life
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , School ( Middle School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Scholastic Press
- Publication date : August 13, 2019
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 240
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : January 6, 2026
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