Under the Same Stars

About this book

Instant New York Times Bestseller • A USA Today Bestseller • An Indie Bestseller • A Good Morning America Book Club Pick • Edgar Award Nominee • Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee • An Audible Best Audiobook of the Year • A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year • A Rainbow Booklist Top Ten for Teen Readers Title "Under the Same Stars will leave you shattered and wildly hopeful." —E. Lockhart, author of We Were Liars and Genuine Fraud "Stirring and absolutely unforgettable" —Samira Ahmed, New York Times-bestselling author of Internment and Hollow Fires "Full of banter, romance, humor and a little bit of magic" —Gayle Forman, author of Not Nothing and After Life From New York Times-bestselling and Printz Award-winning author Libba Bray comes a propulsive historical mystery that examines truth, r

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Why widely assigned

This Young Adult Fiction title, typically at grades 9–12. Published in the canon; cited across 1 curriculum framework.

Where this book is assigned

• Great Lakes Great Books Award

  • recommended·9th grade · Michigansource: Michigan Reading Association — Great Lakes Great Books Award 2026-27 nominee (official GLGBA nominee press release + nominees list, announced March 7, 2026 at the MRA Annual Conference; Michigan students vote through January 9, 2027) — 9-12 division
  • recommended·10th grade · Michigansource: Michigan Reading Association — Great Lakes Great Books Award 2026-27 nominee (official GLGBA nominee press release + nominees list, announced March 7, 2026 at the MRA Annual Conference; Michigan students vote through January 9, 2027) — 9-12 division
  • recommended·11th grade · Michigansource: Michigan Reading Association — Great Lakes Great Books Award 2026-27 nominee (official GLGBA nominee press release + nominees list, announced March 7, 2026 at the MRA Annual Conference; Michigan students vote through January 9, 2027) — 9-12 division
  • recommended·12th grade · Michigansource: Michigan Reading Association — Great Lakes Great Books Award 2026-27 nominee (official GLGBA nominee press release + nominees list, announced March 7, 2026 at the MRA Annual Conference; Michigan students vote through January 9, 2027) — 9-12 division

Common questions

What grade level is Under the Same Stars?

Under the Same Stars is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 9–12. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.

How long does it take to read Under the Same Stars?

It takes about 6h 40m to read Under the Same Stars (364 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 400 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.

What curricula assign Under the Same Stars?

Under the Same Stars appears on reading lists for Great Lakes Great Books Award. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.

Is Under the Same Stars banned in schools?

Under the Same Stars does not appear in PEN America's Index of School Book Bans 2022-2024. No documented multi-district removals on record, but individual districts may challenge titles locally.