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Reviewed by: Colleen Woods, Middle School Librarian Title: The Words We Keep Author: Erin Stewart Publisher: Delacorte Press
Year: 2022 Good for Grades: 9-Adult Genre/Type of Book: Realistic Fiction
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: Yes, definitely. TW's around self-harm, depression, anxiety and suicide. Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: I chose this book for our staff book-club here at MB, because it deals with the important topic of mental health, and I believe it will generate a great discussion among staff members (we haven't had our meeting yet). If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be: Readers looking for a raw and honest look at the mental health will find that, and more, in this thought-provoking novel for teens.
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Review:
"It makes people nervous when you're not what you're supposed to be." I loved this quote from The Words We Keep by Erin Stewart.
This book is a heart-breaking, but honest portrayal of mental illness and how it impacts those closest to you. The book opens with our main character, 16-year-old Lily, finding her older sister, Alice, self-harming on the bathroom floor. Flash forward three months, and Alice is returning home from Fairview Treatment Center having been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Weighed down by an exhaustive academic and sports schedule, perfectionist Lily struggles with her own anxiety, intrusive thoughts and panic attacks. That combined with her sisters' return and not knowing what kind of Alice to expect, has her on edge. At school, Lily gets partnered with new kid Micah Mendez for a school art project. Micah has a dark past and battles depression, but he seems to know all about Lily, thanks to his time at the same treatment center as Alice. For their project, Lily and Micah use poetry and art to process and explore their thoughts and feelings. Stewart isn't afraid to confront the hard stuff, including self-harm and the labels that come with those facing mental illness. There is a lot to unpack here, but I feel like Stewart does it in a way that readers will find appealing and honest.
Early reviews from staff members in my building are mostly positive, with a few who felt it wasn't appropriate (too heavy) for middle school. Others disagreed and felt it was exactly what some kids might need, as we're often unaware just how many are struggling with mental illness, or have loved ones who are.
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