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:
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Copies will be available starting Fall 2025 at all campus libraries.
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The Words We Keep by Erin Stewart,explores the interconnectedness of mental health and the power of words in healing and expression, particularly through the lens of poetry. The story follows Lily as she navigates her own mental health journey and her sister Alice's recovery from treatment, emphasizing the importance of speaking up and seeking help. The novel also highlights the impact of mental health on family dynamics.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health issues, please consider the following resources:
Seminole State College of Florida, Counseling Office
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), Greater Orlando Chapter
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 a variety of resources.
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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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