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 mum.

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 mum 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!

Not If I Can Help it deals with themes of neuro-disorders

and changing schools with warmth and humour

For fans of The Goldfish Boy, A Kind of Spark

and Nothing Ever Happens Here

‘A quality, truthful portrayal of the general challenges

that come with different experiences of the world, whether personal

or familial.’ - Kirkus, starred review

Review

Praise for Best Friend Next Door:

[Mackler] gives a spot-on portrayal of the ups and downs of

young friendships. - Kirkus Reviews

[Mackler] insightfully portrays the complexities of friendship

and adapting tochange… An engaging, supportive read. - Booklist

Charming. - School Library Journal

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); Tangled; Guyaholic; Vegan

Virgin Valentine; and Love

and Other Four-Letter Words. Carolyn’s most recent novel, The

Future of Us, cowritten with bestselling author

Jay Asher, has received starred reviews, and the film rights

have been sold to Warner Brothers. Best Friend Next Door is

her first novel for a younger audience.