The Words We Keep

Ages 12 And Up, Grades 7 And Up

A beautifully realistic, relatable story about mental health and the healing powers of art—perfect for fans of Girl in Pieces and How It Feels to Float.

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.

Story Locale:Present day; California coast

About the Author

Erin Stewart grew up in Virginia and now makes her home in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains with her husband and their three children. Erin loves using her background in journalism to research and write fiction based on real life. A heart-failure survivor and adoptive mother, she believes life throws plot twists and people in our path for a reason—always. She is the author of the acclaimed YA novel Scars Like Wings.

Author Residence: Saratoga Springs, UT

Author Hometown: McLean, VA