The Words We Keep
books by Erin Stewart
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. The story’s development reflects careful planning, with each event building upon what came before. This sense of progression gives the narrative direction and purpose, ensuring that readers remain invested throughout the book. The book demonstrates a strong understanding of how tension and resolution work together. Challenges faced by the characters are introduced gradually and resolved in ways that feel earned rather than forced. This creates a sense of credibility within the story, encouraging readers to remain invested until the conclusion. The story leaves readers with a sense of fulfillment by delivering a complete and thoughtfully constructed narrative. Its measured execution reinforces its lasting appeal.