What If You Could

by Jacinda Ardern, Ruby Shamir (Adapter)

From the former prime minister of New Zealand comes a guide for teens on chasing your dreams and embracing the unexpected qualities that truly make a person strong.

When Jacinda Ardern became prime minister of New Zealand, she was one of the youngest people in the world leading a country. Many people thought she would never succeed—herself included. Wouldn’t her insecurity, overthinking, worrying, and kindness stop her from being able to achieve her goals?

As she soon learned, though, it was exactly those attributes—as well as caring and wanting to listen to and serve others—that made her into the empathetic, adaptable, and effective leader that she was.

While sharing her own experiences and challenges as a young person, and then as prime minister, Jacinda Ardern asks listeners to realize that true strength, success, and power come from embracing ourselves just as we are—imposter syndrome and all.

Genres: Leadership, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

Published June 2, 2026

About the author

The Right Honourable Dame Jacinda Ardern was elected the 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand at the age of thirty-seven, becoming the country’s youngest Prime Minister in more than 150 years. Since leaving office, Ardern has established the Field Fellowship on empathetic leadership. She is a Senior Fellow at Harvard University, continues to work on climate action, and is the Patron of the Christchurch Call to Action to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. Ardern also works on a number of projects that support women and girls, but considers her greatest roles to be those she will hold for life, including that of mum and proud New Zealander.

Reviews

[Taylor Shore]

Listening to Jacinda feels so homely.

[June]

What If You Could is an uplifting and thoughtful book that encourages readers to approach the world with curiosity, kindness, and confidence. Jacinda Ardern has a warm, approachable voice, and the message comes across in a way that feels encouraging rather than preachy. The book is simple on the surface, but there’s a lot of heart packed into its pages.

What I appreciated most was its focus on possibility and empathy. It invites readers to imagine how their actions can make a difference, while also reminding them that courage and compassion often go hand in hand. It’s the kind of book that leaves you feeling hopeful and inspired long after you’ve finished reading it.

[Pam]

I received an electronic ARC from Penguin Young Readers Group | Philomel Books through NetGalley.
Ardern offers advice and encouragement to teens looking at their future. She shares her life and how she faced challenges at all levels to become New Zealand's first female Prime Minister. Her tone is welcoming but she doesn't hold back on how she faced crises while in office. She also shares mistakes she made along the way. I found it encouraging to see how vulnerable she was when sharing her story. This should resonate with teens looking for role models who hold to their principles.

[Lyn Smith]

What a privilege to read this book, so well written by former New Zealand Prime Minister, Dame Jacinda Ardern. While it is an easy to read memoir, it carries such powerful messages of hope and reassurance. Written with empathy and compassion, we are reminded that we are enough. What if you could?, at any age, helps us realise we are capable of more than we believe. Kindness is the key - and we are all capable of achieving that. Dame Jacinda Ardern, is a woman of great strength, courage and leadership. We should listen to her wisdom with open ears and hearts.

[Amy apple]

This was a much better read than her other book I read, which really dragged on. That said, this one did feel geared towards a younger audience, and at times it came across almost like a summarised version of A Different Kind of Power.

I felt like some of the depth and messier details were missing, which made the memoir feel a lot “glossier” than what I expected.

[Hillary]

One of my favourite memoirs. As a kiwi/ New Zealander, I would have to say this is a very well written piece. It navigates Jacinda Ardern’s childhood all the way to her Prime Minister years.

I would highly recommend this to anyone, although you may think is only for teens. BUT, adults should read it!!!

[dancer12]

I loved this book! When I bought it, I thought it would be more of an empowering book and one that would help lift your confidence, but it was more about her life story which was empowering, but yeah. I still loved it though, and I would definitely recommend!

[Jan Lancaster]

I read Ardern's book A Different Kind of Power last year and enjoyed it, so was interested to read this adaptation for young people.
A shorter version certainly makes it very readable and I found it a very good inspiring read.

[Leslie]

4.5

[Julia Smith]

Perhaps not as motivational for our students as I had hoped.
Rounded up because, well, it is Jacinda, and she is truly amazing.

[Elisha]

Interesting read

[Aiyana]

It should have been made more clear in the beginning that this is just an adaptation of her memoir. Still love jacinda and her story but I had heard it all before.

[Elisabeth Lovelace]

It is an interesting read, but I thought the religious elements that were so common at the beginning could have been toned down, especially for a Young Readers Adaptation.

[Bailey Young]

What If You Could is an inspiring, uplifting, powerful, and needed read! Jacinda Ardern is a true inspiration as one of the youngest prime ministers New Zealand has ever had. She is a true leader, advocate, and empathetic voice. I loved learning her story; how her questioning, empathy, anxiety, and imposter syndrome that she worried would make her weak actually strengthened her leadership abilities. There is room for every voice at the table! Her advocacy focus of climate change, women's issues, and elimination of terrorism efforts was fascinating to learn about. All she did at the age of 37 and all she continues to do is a story youth (& us adults) need to read. You are never too young to make an impact!

As someone who never viewed themselves as a leader growing up but now aspires to lead in her industry, I loved the messaging of this book! We need to rethink the qualities that make a good leader as a society and help everyone find the leader within themselves.

#gifted #partner Thank you to @PenguinKids for the gifted copy & @storygramtours for the tour invite!

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