In 2021 I read more children’s graphic novels than I ever have. Just Roll with It was one of them. Though I did not find this book to be memorable, it was a very fun read.
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The summary, from Amazon:
Starting middle school is hard enough when you don’t know anyone; it’s even harder when you’re shy. A contemporary middle-grade graphic novel for fans of Guts and Real Friends about how dealing with anxiety and OCD can affect everyday life.
As long as Maggie rolls the right number, nothing can go wrong…right?
Maggie just wants to get through her first year of middle school. But between finding the best after-school clubs, trying to make friends, and avoiding the rumored monster on school grounds, she’s having a tough time…so she might need a little help from her twenty-sided dice. But what happens if Maggie rolls the wrong number?
A touching middle-grade graphic novel that explores the complexity of anxiety, OCD, and learning to trust yourself and the world around you.
“A charming, compassionate story that’s sure to resonate with anyone who’s ever stayed up worrying.” —Gale Galligan, adaptor and illustrator of the Baby-Sitters Club graphic novel series
Buy Just Roll with It on Amazon.
Just Roll with It is about Maggie, a girl who struggles with decision-making and rituals. She relies on her d20 die, which she rolls to make decisions. While I am unfamiliar with the d20 and RPGs, I still found this book to be easy to follow, and I know fans of such games will really enjoy this book!
The main plot of this story surrounds Maggie’s fears and worries, one of which includes a mysterious creature in the lawn outside of her school. The entire class is worried about a potential monster. In the end, Maggie discovers what the creature really is.
It’s clear that Maggie has OCD, and I loved how concerned her big sister Eli was for her. She really looks out for her and encourages their parents to encourage Maggie to attend therapy. This was a very therapy-positive book, showing Maggie’s initial resistance too. I also loved how Maggie and her friend Clara stand up to an eighth grade bully.
Overall this was an enjoyable 4 star read for me.
Find out more about how I rate books here.
Just Roll with It by Lee Durfey-Lavoie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Impressed by how this book discussed anxiety & OCD.
Book Club Questions
- If you feel comfortable sharing, do you or someone you love have anxiety or OCD? Is your experience comparable to Maggie’s?
- Did you predict what the monster outside of the school was? What clues did the author give us?
- How are Maggie’s friends and and family supportive of her?
- How do Maggie and Clara deal with bullying? Is this constructive?
Interested? Buy Just Roll with It.
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