The Words We Keep

In a novel that effectively shows how stigma can keep people from speaking up about mental health (including self-harm and suicidal ideation), perfectionist Lily Larkin, 16, lives in two worlds. In one, she gets straight A’s and wins races in track; in the other, her “brain is breaking and my sister is in a rehab center because hers already broke.” Things become increasingly difficult when Lily begins experiencing panic attacks and thought spirals, and she’s partnered on a school project with Micah Mendez, who knows her sister Alice from the treatment center where she’s staying following an incident of self-harm. The sisters’ relationship is strained when Alice, diagnosed with bipolar disorder, returns home, but Mexican American Micah, who lives with depression, and cued-white Lily grow closer as they work on a guerrilla poetry and art project prompting students to speak their truth. In Lily’s frank, forthcoming voice, Stewart (Scars Like Wings) 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. An author’s note includes mental health support resources. Ages 12–up. Agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (Mar.)