The Words We Keep
The Words We Keep by Erin Stewart, published by Random House Children’s Books on March 15, 2022, is a young adult fiction novel that explores themes of mental health, including anxiety, perfectionism, and depression. The story follows Lily, who is grappling with the emotional aftermath of discovering her older sister Alice’s struggles with self-harm. As Alice returns home from treatment, Lily finds it increasingly difficult to manage her own feelings and the pressures of family dynamics.
In her journey, Lily meets Micah, a new student with his own history of treatment, who encourages her to confront her emotions and secrets. Together, they engage in an art project that involves uncovering poetry in unexpected places, prompting Lily to express the thoughts she has been suppressing. This edition, comprising 400 pages, delves into the healing powers of art and the importance of finding one’s voice amidst personal challenges. The narrative offers a relatable perspective on the complexities of mental health and the connections formed through shared experiences.
Official synopsis Publisher
WINNER OF THE SCHNEIDER FAMILY BOOK AWARD FOR TEENS!
A beautifully realistic, relatable story about mental health—anxiety, perfectionism, depression—and the healing powers of art—perfect for fans of Girl in Pieces and How it Feels to Float. Whatever you struggle with, you are not alone and you are already enough—just the way you are.
It’s been three months since The Night on the Bathroom Floor–when Lily found her older sister Alice hurting herself. Ever since then, Lily has been desperately trying to keep things together, for herself and for her family. But now Alice is coming home from her treatment program and it is becoming harder for Lily to ignore all of the feelings she’s been trying to outrun.
Enter Micah, a new student at school with a past of his own. He was in treatment with Alice and seems determined to get Lily to process not only Alice’s experience, but her own. Because Lily has secrets, too. Compulsions she can’t seem to let go of and thoughts she can’t drown out.
When Lily and Micah embark on an art project for school involving finding poetry in unexpected places, she realizes that it’s the words she’s been swallowing that desperately want to break through.
“A tender, heartfelt, and realistic look at mental illness, familial love, and finding your voice.”—Kathleen Glasgow, New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces
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