2025-2026: The Words We Keep
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.
What People Are Saying
"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
"A sprawling, engrossing read, Stewart’s latest succeeds in mapping out the toll of anxiety disorder with scrupulous, cleareyed detail. Above all, however, there’s an overpowering sense of hope underlined by an achingly sincere message: Speak up and get help if needed. Indispensably candid."—Kirkus, starred review
"An excellent choice."—SLJ, starred review
“In Lily’s frank, forthcoming voice, Stewart mingles Lily’s love of words—blackout poetry, social media posts coining terms that should exist—with specific descriptions of anxiety disorder–related distress that will resonate with many readers.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Wild, beautiful, and free. The Words We Keep is a poetic page turner. A raw, relatable story of mental illness, romance, and the power of love.”—Jennifer Niven, #1 New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places
"A gorgeous and deeply touching rumination on the power of art, this book is for anyone who has lost their words and lost their way. The Words We Keep is 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 and You'd Be Home Now
"The Words We Keep is a luminous exploration into the restorative power of love and art. The only thing it contains more of than poetry is raw, unfiltered hope. This book is a healing balm to a wounded heart."—Jeff Zentner, Morris Award–winning author of In the Wild Light
“Stewart offers a realistic portrait of Lily's lonely battle.”—Buffalo News
Listen to a Sample
About Erin:
Erin Stewart grew up in Virginia and now makes her home Utah in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains with her husband and their three children. She is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern and a BYU undergraduate. Erin loves using her background in journalism to research and write fiction based on real life. She is 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 novels Scars Like Wings and The Words We Keep.
More from Erin:
- My personality type is a neurotic extravert. It’s a thing, I swear.
- I firmly believe Hot Tamales should be a recognized food group.
- I’m a heart failure survivor.
- I have zero sense of personal space.
- My mom thought I needed a therapist in kindergarten because everyone always exploded at the end of my stories. Good news: My characters now have a slightly higher survival rate.
Connect with Erin:
Interviews
Other Titles by Erin Stewart
Get a FREE copy
Copies will be available starting on the first day Fall 2025 classes at all campus Library locations as well as the Sanford/Lake Mary Academic Success Center, Raider Center and various tabling events.
Borrow from the Library
Purchase a copy
- Barnes & Noble Campus Bookstore
Ukulele Lessons - September 11, 12:00 - 1:00 PM - SLM, Zen Den @ Academic Success Center
Chair Yoga - September 18, 12:30 - 1:30 PM - SLM, Zen Den @ Academic Success Center
Yoga - September 29, 9:30 - 10:30 AM - SLM Raider Center
Chair Yoga - October 6, 12:45 - 1:30 PM - OVI, E-101 @ Library
Therapy Dogs - October 7, 12:30 - 1:30 PM - SLM, Zen Den @ Academic Success Center
Silent Book Club - October 7, 2:00 - 3:00 PM - All Campus Libraries SLM, ALT, OVI
Author Visit - October 9, 12:30 PM - SLM Library (Live-streamed to ALT Library & Oviedo E-101 or view HERE)
Chair Yoga - October 14, 12:30 - 1:30 PM - SLM, Zen Den @ Academic Success Center
Mindfulness/Sound Bowls - October 23, 12:30 - 1:30 PM - SLM, Zen Den @ Academic Success Center
Bob Ross Painting - October 29, 12:30 - 2:00 PM - Grindle Honors, L-230
Chair Yoga - November 3, 12:45 - 1:30 PM - OVI, E-101 @ Library
Chair Yoga - November 4, 12:30 - 1:30 PM - SLM, Zen Den @ Academic Success Center
Silent Book Club - November 4, 2:00 - 3:00 PM - All Campus Libraries SLM, ALT, OVI
Drum Circle - November 6, 12:30 - 1:30 PM - SLM, UP Lawn
Ukulele Lessons - November 13, 12:00 - 1:00 PM - SLM, Zen Den @ Academic Success Center
Therapy Dogs - November 18, 12:30 - 1:30 PM - SLM, Zen Den @ Academic Success Center
Yoga - November 25, 9:30 - 10:30 AM - SLM Raider Center
Therapy Dogs - December 9, 12:30 - 1:30 PM - SLM, Zen Den @ Academic Success Center
Check out these additional events from partners in creative expression:
Seminole State College Fine Arts - Public Events
Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust Planetarium at Seminole State College - Public Events
On October 9, 2025, Seminole State College of Florida welcomed author, Erin Stewart, to the Sanford/Lake Mary campus as part of the Campus READ program in partnership with SSC Speaker Series and sponsored by SSC Libraries and Florida Blue Foundation.
Watch the recording of Erin Stewart's Keynote presentation - Erin Stewart visit - October 9, 2025
View photos from the event HERE
Read Aloud Episodes
Episode 1 - Pages 1-27 with narrator: Jennifer Keefe (September 10, 2025)
Episode 2 - Pages 28-57 with narrator: Tracy Harbin (September 17, 2025)
Episode 3 - Pages 58-90 with narrator: Stephen Summers (September 24, 2025)
Episode 4 - Pages 91-122 with narrator: Michele Cuomo (September 30, 2025)
Episode 5 - Pages 123-147 with narrator: Brooke Dixon (October 7, 2025)
Episode 6 - Pages 148-173 with narrator: Shelly Deans (October 14, 2025)
Episode 7 - Pages 174-200 with narrator: Andrea St. Onge (October 21, 2025)
Episode 8 - Pages 200-230 with narrator: Holly Larson (October 28, 2025)
Episode 9 - Pages 231-252 with narrator: Hailee Handel (November 4, 2025)
Episode 10 - Pages 253-281 with narrator: Abby Gilman (November 11, 2025)
Podcast Episodes (Generated by AI using Google Notebook)
Up Next: Chapters 1-3
Questions to Think About
Chapter 1:
How does Lily's perception of perfection affect her?
What does the conversation between Lily and her friends reveal about their personalities?
How does the mention of Alice impact Lily's narrative?
What does the metaphor of 'the perfect ones you have to be careful about' suggest?
What role does friendship play in Lily’s life during this chapter?
Chapter 2:
What is the significance of the protagonist's reaction to the new boy, Micah?
How does Lily's physical response mirror her emotional state during the encounter?
What does Lily's escape at the end signify in terms of her emotional journey?
What role does the setting of the classroom play in Lily's emotional experience?
In what ways does this chapter address the importance of mental health awareness?
Chapter 3:
What does the protagonist realize about her mental health through her experiences?
How does the protagonist feel about her relationship with her sister, Alice?
What does the project about art and community symbolize for the protagonist?
What does the protagonist’s fixation on her planner reveal about her character?
What can be inferred about the importance of companionship from the interaction between the protagonist and Micah?
What message does the author convey about vulnerability through the protagonist's experiences?
The Words We Keep contains elements that may be triggering for some readers. Seminole State College wants to remind you that FREE mental health resources are available to all students.
To connect with a Seminole State Counselor for support, please complete this confidential form:
👉 Request to Speak/Refer to a Counselor
Please note: Referrals are reviewed only during normal college business hours. This form is for non-emergency support.
For services when the college is closed:
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Seminole State After-Hours Crisis Hotline: 407-571-0999
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Available during college closures and Monday–Thursday after 6 p.m., and 24 hours on Fridays and weekends.
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National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7): Call or text 988
If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency:
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Call 911 for immediate help.
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Seminole State Safety & Security: 407-708-2178
Additional Mental Health Resources:
Seminole State College of Florida, Counseling Office
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), Greater Orlando Chapter
Your well-being matters! Please don’t hesitate to reach out.
If you are a faculty member who is interested in incorporating Campus READ into your class this semester, please fill out this form to request copies of the book and/or a variety of resources.
Missed the Welcome Back Presentation? No problem!
Click the link below for information on the Campus READ program, it's goals, the 2025-26 book selection, central themes of the book, curriculum incorporation tips for any class, ways for specific discipline faculty to incorporate the book, programming overview and both on and off campus mental health resource information.
Resources
https://www.bookey.app/book/the-words-we-keep/qa
https://www.penguin.co.uk/discover/articles/the-ultimate-list-of-book-club-questions
https://www.epicreads.com/blog/ya-book-club-questions/
Themes
Perception of Perfection/Societal Expectation
Shared Family Trauma
Complexity of human experience (vulnerabililty)
Crowded Isolation
Facing/confronting personal fears
Social Dynamics
Perception of Mental Health
Duality (what you see is not what you get)
Healing power of art or humor
Importance of friendship/connection
Symbolism
Scars
Ocean
Running/Racing
Dementors (metaphor about anxiety)
Bathroom
Redecorating
100 acre wood
Related Videos from Kanopy
Ewers, E. Ewers, C. (Director). (2022). Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness [Video file]. PBS. Retrieved June 18, 2025, from Kanopy.
https://www.kanopy.com/en/seminolestate/video/12826630
Barrat, J. (Director). (2022). Facing Suicide [Video file]. PBS. Retrieved June 18, 2025, from Kanopy.
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Kanopy Streaming Video This link opens in a new windowSelect film titles for streaming, including feature films and documentaries. Faculty How To
Coming Soon!
Thank you to the following Faculty, Staff and Students who served as the Selection Committee for this year's program:
Abigail Simpson - Student
Amy Mendoza - Associate Librarian, Research & Instruction (Lee Campus at Oviedo)
Anna Walker - Adjunct Professor, English (Lee Campus at Oviedo) and Writing Tutor (Sanford/Lake Mary Campus)
Dr. Elena Soltau - Librarian, Research & Instruction (Altamonte Springs Campus)
Garret Gaudens - Director, Academic Success Centers
Geoff Nelson - Coordinator, Recreational Sports & Wellness
Dr. Holly Larson - Professor, English (Altamonte Springs Campus)
Jason Anfinsen - Librarian, Research & Instruction (Sanford/Lake Mary Campus)
Karen Hussey - Adjunct Professor, English (Sanford/Lake Mary Campus)
Kathryn Steinhaus - Professor, Humanities/History (Sanford/Lake Mary Campus)
Margo Weaver - Associate Professor/Counselor, Academic Advising & Counseling (Altamonte Springs Campus)
Michael Mendoza - Professor, English (Lee Campus at Oviedo)
Morgan Tracy - Director, College Libraries
Tracy Harbin - Director, Honors Institute
