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From New York Times-bestselling author Libba Bray comes an evocative and groundbreaking young adult historical mystery that examines truth, rebellion, reconciliation, and what must be sacrificed for a better world.
It was said that if you write to the Bridegroom's Oak, the love of your life will answer back. Now, the tree is giving up its secrets at last.
In 1940s Germany, Sophie is excited to discover a message waiting for her in the Bridegroom's Oak from a mysterious suitor. Meanwhile, her best friend, Hanna, is sending messages too―but not to find love. As World War II unfolds in their small town of Kleinwald, the oak may hold the key to resistance against the Nazis.
In 1980s West Germany, American teen transplant Jenny feels suffocated by her strict parents and is struggling to fit in. Until she finds herself falling for Lena, a punk-rock girl hell-bent on tearing down the wall separating West Germany from East Germany, and meeting Frau Hermann, a kind old lady with secrets of her own.
In Spring 2020, New York City, best friends Miles and Chloe are in the first weeks of COVID lockdown and hating Zoom school, when an unexpected package from Chloe's grandmother leads them to investigate a cold case about two unidentified teenagers who went missing under the Bridegroom's Oak eighty years ago.
"A breathtaking journey that will leave a lasting impression on readers' minds and hearts." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Though the setup is occasionally awkward, nuanced, gratifying character arcs and a harrowing, emotionally charged third act send this lengthy novel out on a high note." —Publishers Weekly
"The legendary Libba Bray writes punk rock journeys across wide swaths of dark history and deep into the wonder of the human soul. She is one of our most original minds and Under the Same Stars will leave you shattered and wildly hopeful." ― E. Lockhart, author of We Were Liars and Genuine Fraud
"Libba Bray is magic. [Her] gorgeous prose and propulsive plotting draw the reader into the lives of young people who are fighting for their communities and themselves and you'll want to fight right alongside them... . stirring and absolutely unforgettable." ―Samira Ahmed, New York Times-bestselling author of Internment and Hollow Fires
"Under the Same Stars is both a sweeping and epic tale of young people in three very different eras grappling with what it means to fight injustice. It is a stark reminder that the past is prologue. It's also a Libba Bray book, meaning it's full of banter, romance, humor and a little bit of magic." ―Gayle Forman, author of Not Nothing and After Life
This information about Under the Same Stars was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Libba Bray is an author of young adult novels, including A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, The Sweet Far Thing and Going Bovine.
Her first novel, A Great and Terrible Beauty, was a New York Times bestseller. In November 2006, a video promoting the book was a part of The Book Standard's Teen Book Video Awards.
Libba Bray lives in New York City with her husband and son.
Author Interview
Link to Libba Bray's Website
Name Pronunciation
Libba Bray: First syllable rhymes with rib. Libba is a nickname for Elizabeth. Her full name is Martha Elizabeth Bray
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