Under the Same Stars

Sophie and Hanna are two teenage girls living in Germany in the 1940s wishing they could hold onto their fairy tale like dreams while hate for others spreads like wildfire due to Nazi propaganda. In 1980 Jenny, an American, finds herself in West Germany near the Berlin Wall befriending a rebellious punk rocker named Lena. And in 2020, best friends Miles and Chloe grapple with the Covid epidemic while trying to solve an 80-year-old mystery involving two missing girls. Award-winning writer Libba Bray weaves together three stories into an original historical novel about losing one's innocence and risking it all for what's important. Those interested in historical fiction, particuly WWII fiction, may enjoy this 2026 TAYSHAS winner. Because of the number of main characters and separate stories, the book does run a bit long, but dedicated readers will find much to gain by reading this powerful novel.