Libba Bray: A Conversation about Under the Same Stars [S7 EP. 267]

Listen to the full episode below:

Some conversations leave a mark, and this one with author Libba Bray is exactly that. From the first few minutes, we found ourselves completely pulled in by her honesty, humor, and the kind of insight that makes you pause and say, “Yes, that’s it.” What started as a chat about books quickly turned into a rich, winding conversation about creativity, teaching, storytelling, and the way young people show up in the world with fierce hope and resilience.

We talked about Libba’s newest novel, Under the Same Stars, and the powerful (and totally unexpected) inspiration behind it. We dug into how she plays with structure, perspective, and time—while never losing sight of what makes a story matter. Along the way, we also got into classroom practices, writing tips, musical theater, and what it really means to create something meaningful in a chaotic world.

Before you hit play, make sure to grab the free Summer Camp workbook! This is one of those episodes you’ll want to take notes on. Libba dropped gem after gem, and we promise you'll come back to them when you need a creative boost.

topics discussed:

  • Libba Bray’s storytelling background, humor, and diverse writing influences

  • Inspiration and structure behind Under the Same Stars, including the real-life matchmaking tree and multigenerational timelines

  • Exploring themes of resistance, love as resistance, and hope through multiple eras and characters

  • The importance of diverse storytelling structures in teaching, encouraging creativity and play in student writing

  • Companion texts and resources to pair with Under the Same Stars for classroom inquiry

  • Advice for teachers on cultivating readers and writers (and making it fun!)

resources:

Meet libba:

Libba Bray is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the acclaimed Gemma Doyle trilogy (A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, The Sweet Far Thing); the Michael L. Printz Award-winning Going Bovine; Beauty Queens, an L.A. Times Book Prize finalist; The Diviners series, and Under the Same Stars. She has written numerous short stories, essays, and plays. Originally from Texas, Libba makes her home in New York City and Paris.

Connect with Libba:

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More about Brave New Teaching:

Join hosts Amanda Cardenas (Mud & Ink Teaching) and Marie Morris (The Caffeinated Classroom) in discussions about being brave, trying new things, and all things teaching! As seasoned classroom teachers, Amanda and Marie bring their experience, insight, energy, and oh, so many opinions and ideas... It's time for all teachers to take their classroom and teaching practice into their own hands!

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