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nataliem22's review
5.0
This young adult novel is one for the books. Angela Velez's debut, Lulu and Milagro's Search for Clarity, covers more ground than just the distance between Baltimore and San Fransisco. It dives deep into familial expectations, the meaning of sisterhood, and the development of self-love. Lulu and Milagro demand to be heard, and their story isn't one that will soon be forgotten. A must read for all avid young adult fiction fans!
Angela Velez grew up in Baltimore, Maryland under the watchful eye of her Peruvian immigrant parents. She earned her bachelor of arts from Columbia University and her master of fine arts from the University of Pittsburgh, where she was a K. Leroy Irvis Fellow. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her pile of books, three plastic flamingos, and one wobbly disco ball. Lulu and Milagro's Search for Clarity is her first novel. You can visit her online at www.angelavelez.com. You can also find Angela on Instagram and Twitter.
Overachiever Luz "Lulu" Zavala has straight As, perfect attendance, and a solid ten-year plan. First up: nail her interview for a dream internship at Stanford, the last stop on her school's cross-country college road trip. The only flaw in her plan is Clara, her oldest sister, who went off to college and sparked a massive fight with their overprotective Peruvian mom, who is now convinced that out-of-state-college will destroy their family. If Lulu can't fix whatever went wrong between them, the whole trip—and her future—will be a waste. Middle sister Milagro wants nothing to do with college or a nerdy class field trip. Then a spot opens up on the trip just as her own spring break plans (Operation Don't Die a Virgin) are thwarted, and she hops on the bus with her glittery lipsticks, more concerned about getting back at her ex than she is about schools or any family drama. But the trip opens her eyes about possibilities she'd never imagined for herself. Maybe she is more than the boy-crazy girl everyone seems to think she is. One a journey from Baltimore all the way to San Francisco, Lulu and Milagro will become begrudging partners as they unpack weighty family expectations, uncover Clara's secrets, and maybe even discover the true meaning of sisterhood.
I actually was luck enough to attend a small talk Angela Velez did with my Latinx Childhoods class last fall! In the class, Velez read a small excerpt from Milagro's first chapter, and we dissected the sort of ways in which young adults use food and lunchtime and the high school setting to create meaning out of their lives. Just this one small section convinced me to buy Lulu and Milagro's Search for Clarity when it came out, and I'm so glad I did! This novel tackles some incredibly difficult themes, in such a fun, bubbly, and meaningful way. This book feels more true to the adolescent experience because Velez dives deep into what it truly means to be an adolescent: by examining what's really important to two totally different girls, and how they can stem from the same (or different) insecurities and fears. It turns out that Lulu and Milagro might not be so different after all, and that their searches for clarity have all just been one big hunt for the truth. This novel is beautifully constructed to reflect the young adult experience, with just as much heart and voice and youth as young adults everywhere have.
Speaking of voice, Lulu and Milagro are such wonderfully big characters! Their voices are so unique and vast, and even though I am totally a Lulu, I found myself relating (heartbreakingly so) to Milagro as well. It is literally impossible to not get invested in both of their journeys towards truth and self-love. One of the most powerful aspects of this novel is the way Lulu and Milagro go through separate journeys, and come to very powerful and decisive conclusions, without compromising who they are. It's incredible to see them only come even further into their own, even it doing so takes them down paths they never would have considered before. And that's what growing up is, after all, right? Velez nails that. Velez embraces the heart and truth of adolescence, which is evident in Lulu's and Milagro's voices, and which makes the story itself all the more true.
Another one of my favorite aspects of the novel was the elusive older sister who goes to school in Iowa City. Her name and her presence is often felt in how Lulu and Milagro act towards one another and to their Mami, but we don't actually see a lot of her on the page. This is fascinating, because it speaks to how people can be ghosts in our lives, and haunt our everyday interactions, even when the person is still living. Lulu and Milagro suffer under their own expectations of themselves, but also under the expectations they think and know their mother has, because of how Clara has seemingly succeeded at life. Clara's character is a sort of a lynchpin how each character understands the other—and when that understanding gets confused or miscommunicated, let the hijinks commence! While Clara's story is certainly important to Lulu's and Milagro's journey, it was also certainly a great choice to have two main characters (and for those characters to be Lulu and Milagro, rather than another combination) because it tells the most true story about adolescence, and especially about what it is like to be a younger sibling who is always pressured by the success of the elder.
Sisterhood is something I hold very near and dear to my heart, so it is so important to me that there's a young adult novel out there that focuses on that as its exclusive theme. Rather than try to tell stories that are "exceptional" (kids with cancer, genius kids who do amazing things at a young age, that kind of thing), Velez grounds her novel and her characters in the real, and the achievable. It's what makes this novel about sisterhood so genuine and exciting. The differing personalities that contribute to a sisterhood, and that contribute to a life, are beyond important to see in young adult literature. While young adult romance novels are fun, there's always the sense that the relationship won't last—but sisters are forever. Getting to see that in print is very special to me, especially since me and my own sister have grown a lot closer over the years. The real meaning of sisterhood is finding your way back to one another on the way to figuring out who you are—not only are sisters forever, but they're inseparable from the other's identity in a way that makes all sides stronger. Velez writing that down and documenting it in Lulu and Milagro's Search for Clarity is just one of the many reasons this novel will remain important to young adult literature for years to come.
Whatever Angela Velez writes next, I want to read it! You can find her online at www.angelavelez.com, or on Instagram and Twitter.
*This review can also be found on my blog, toreadornottoreadnm.blogspot.com*
Angela Velez grew up in Baltimore, Maryland under the watchful eye of her Peruvian immigrant parents. She earned her bachelor of arts from Columbia University and her master of fine arts from the University of Pittsburgh, where she was a K. Leroy Irvis Fellow. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her pile of books, three plastic flamingos, and one wobbly disco ball. Lulu and Milagro's Search for Clarity is her first novel. You can visit her online at www.angelavelez.com. You can also find Angela on Instagram and Twitter.
Overachiever Luz "Lulu" Zavala has straight As, perfect attendance, and a solid ten-year plan. First up: nail her interview for a dream internship at Stanford, the last stop on her school's cross-country college road trip. The only flaw in her plan is Clara, her oldest sister, who went off to college and sparked a massive fight with their overprotective Peruvian mom, who is now convinced that out-of-state-college will destroy their family. If Lulu can't fix whatever went wrong between them, the whole trip—and her future—will be a waste. Middle sister Milagro wants nothing to do with college or a nerdy class field trip. Then a spot opens up on the trip just as her own spring break plans (Operation Don't Die a Virgin) are thwarted, and she hops on the bus with her glittery lipsticks, more concerned about getting back at her ex than she is about schools or any family drama. But the trip opens her eyes about possibilities she'd never imagined for herself. Maybe she is more than the boy-crazy girl everyone seems to think she is. One a journey from Baltimore all the way to San Francisco, Lulu and Milagro will become begrudging partners as they unpack weighty family expectations, uncover Clara's secrets, and maybe even discover the true meaning of sisterhood.
I actually was luck enough to attend a small talk Angela Velez did with my Latinx Childhoods class last fall! In the class, Velez read a small excerpt from Milagro's first chapter, and we dissected the sort of ways in which young adults use food and lunchtime and the high school setting to create meaning out of their lives. Just this one small section convinced me to buy Lulu and Milagro's Search for Clarity when it came out, and I'm so glad I did! This novel tackles some incredibly difficult themes, in such a fun, bubbly, and meaningful way. This book feels more true to the adolescent experience because Velez dives deep into what it truly means to be an adolescent: by examining what's really important to two totally different girls, and how they can stem from the same (or different) insecurities and fears. It turns out that Lulu and Milagro might not be so different after all, and that their searches for clarity have all just been one big hunt for the truth. This novel is beautifully constructed to reflect the young adult experience, with just as much heart and voice and youth as young adults everywhere have.
Speaking of voice, Lulu and Milagro are such wonderfully big characters! Their voices are so unique and vast, and even though I am totally a Lulu, I found myself relating (heartbreakingly so) to Milagro as well. It is literally impossible to not get invested in both of their journeys towards truth and self-love. One of the most powerful aspects of this novel is the way Lulu and Milagro go through separate journeys, and come to very powerful and decisive conclusions, without compromising who they are. It's incredible to see them only come even further into their own, even it doing so takes them down paths they never would have considered before. And that's what growing up is, after all, right? Velez nails that. Velez embraces the heart and truth of adolescence, which is evident in Lulu's and Milagro's voices, and which makes the story itself all the more true.
Another one of my favorite aspects of the novel was the elusive older sister who goes to school in Iowa City. Her name and her presence is often felt in how Lulu and Milagro act towards one another and to their Mami, but we don't actually see a lot of her on the page. This is fascinating, because it speaks to how people can be ghosts in our lives, and haunt our everyday interactions, even when the person is still living. Lulu and Milagro suffer under their own expectations of themselves, but also under the expectations they think and know their mother has, because of how Clara has seemingly succeeded at life. Clara's character is a sort of a lynchpin how each character understands the other—and when that understanding gets confused or miscommunicated, let the hijinks commence! While Clara's story is certainly important to Lulu's and Milagro's journey, it was also certainly a great choice to have two main characters (and for those characters to be Lulu and Milagro, rather than another combination) because it tells the most true story about adolescence, and especially about what it is like to be a younger sibling who is always pressured by the success of the elder.
Sisterhood is something I hold very near and dear to my heart, so it is so important to me that there's a young adult novel out there that focuses on that as its exclusive theme. Rather than try to tell stories that are "exceptional" (kids with cancer, genius kids who do amazing things at a young age, that kind of thing), Velez grounds her novel and her characters in the real, and the achievable. It's what makes this novel about sisterhood so genuine and exciting. The differing personalities that contribute to a sisterhood, and that contribute to a life, are beyond important to see in young adult literature. While young adult romance novels are fun, there's always the sense that the relationship won't last—but sisters are forever. Getting to see that in print is very special to me, especially since me and my own sister have grown a lot closer over the years. The real meaning of sisterhood is finding your way back to one another on the way to figuring out who you are—not only are sisters forever, but they're inseparable from the other's identity in a way that makes all sides stronger. Velez writing that down and documenting it in Lulu and Milagro's Search for Clarity is just one of the many reasons this novel will remain important to young adult literature for years to come.
Whatever Angela Velez writes next, I want to read it! You can find her online at www.angelavelez.com, or on Instagram and Twitter.
*This review can also be found on my blog, toreadornottoreadnm.blogspot.com*
amberinpieces's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, and Vomit
v_gonz's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
allielovestoread's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
anxiousdaydreamer's review
4.0
A huge thank you to my library and the publisher Balzer + Bray for providing me a free arc to read and review. All opinions are my own.
I really loved the dual first person viewpoints. Milagro and Lulu had distinct voices. With their own opinions and experiences, I never had to guess whose chapter I was in. The author, Angela Velez, did an amazing job at making each character have their own voice.
The storyline was great after the first act. I really didn't care for Milagro's act 1 plot of trying to lose her virginity before she dies, but it seems like a teenager thing to do. And once she's forced onto the road trip, she undergoes a character development that is believable and likeable. Lulu is a ball of amazing cuteness who seemed like she was making rash decisions, but I can again see a teenager making rash emotional decisions. And her storyline comes to a satisfying conclusion. So after Act 1, the story improves dramatically.
The girls have to deal with their own dramas and the mystery of their older sister Clara and why she doesn't get along with their mom. These were really great plot threads.
I also loved the Catholic imagery within the story, even though I'm not Catholic. It helped get into the sisters' background more. I also loved the Spanish in the story, although I admit to having to use a translation website several times.
All in all, I really enjoyed this story. I couldn't wait to read more about Milagro and Lulu, and I'm so happy that this was a stand alone novel, and that there was no cliffhanger. Yet it does leave the story open for a sequel, which I would eagerly read.
4.5 out of 5 stars! I hope to read more books by Angela Velez soon!
I really loved the dual first person viewpoints. Milagro and Lulu had distinct voices. With their own opinions and experiences, I never had to guess whose chapter I was in. The author, Angela Velez, did an amazing job at making each character have their own voice.
The storyline was great after the first act. I really didn't care for Milagro's act 1 plot of trying to lose her virginity before she dies, but it seems like a teenager thing to do. And once she's forced onto the road trip, she undergoes a character development that is believable and likeable. Lulu is a ball of amazing cuteness who seemed like she was making rash decisions, but I can again see a teenager making rash emotional decisions. And her storyline comes to a satisfying conclusion. So after Act 1, the story improves dramatically.
The girls have to deal with their own dramas and the mystery of their older sister Clara and why she doesn't get along with their mom. These were really great plot threads.
I also loved the Catholic imagery within the story, even though I'm not Catholic. It helped get into the sisters' background more. I also loved the Spanish in the story, although I admit to having to use a translation website several times.
All in all, I really enjoyed this story. I couldn't wait to read more about Milagro and Lulu, and I'm so happy that this was a stand alone novel, and that there was no cliffhanger. Yet it does leave the story open for a sequel, which I would eagerly read.
4.5 out of 5 stars! I hope to read more books by Angela Velez soon!
themaxdog's review
4.0
Full review now up on the blog: https://www.thewritinggreyhound.co.uk/2022/03/book-review-lulu-milagro-search-clarity-angela-velez.html
Fun, quirky, and unconventional, Lulu and Milagro's Search for Clarity is a tale of two sisters on an unexpected road trip.
The eponymous main characters are sisters Lulu and Milagro. Both are high school students - yet the similarities pretty much end there. Lulu is bookish, introverted, and laser-focused on her studies and the future she's mapped out for herself. Milagro is popular, confident, and cares more about what she's wearing to school than actually learning anything while she's there. The sisters are like chalk and cheese, yet by a sudden change of circumstances, both end up on a college trip, travelling across the country together.
The story is told from both sisters' perspectives, alternating between Lulu and Milagro for each chapter. Both sisters have a unique voice and the writing is excellent - it's so easy to get into their heads and see things from their point of view. This also helps to show not only Lulu and Milagro's differences but their similarities too. Both are determined and headstrong in their own ways, and although they may seem completely different at first, throughout the trip, the sisters slowly start to grow closer together.
The exploits, feelings, and innermost thoughts of both girls are laid bare in this story, exposing vulnerabilities, fear, and doubt. At its core, this is a heartfelt coming-of-age story with family at its centre. It's sincere, dynamic, and unexpectedly genuine.
Fun, quirky, and unconventional, Lulu and Milagro's Search for Clarity is a tale of two sisters on an unexpected road trip.
The eponymous main characters are sisters Lulu and Milagro. Both are high school students - yet the similarities pretty much end there. Lulu is bookish, introverted, and laser-focused on her studies and the future she's mapped out for herself. Milagro is popular, confident, and cares more about what she's wearing to school than actually learning anything while she's there. The sisters are like chalk and cheese, yet by a sudden change of circumstances, both end up on a college trip, travelling across the country together.
The story is told from both sisters' perspectives, alternating between Lulu and Milagro for each chapter. Both sisters have a unique voice and the writing is excellent - it's so easy to get into their heads and see things from their point of view. This also helps to show not only Lulu and Milagro's differences but their similarities too. Both are determined and headstrong in their own ways, and although they may seem completely different at first, throughout the trip, the sisters slowly start to grow closer together.
The exploits, feelings, and innermost thoughts of both girls are laid bare in this story, exposing vulnerabilities, fear, and doubt. At its core, this is a heartfelt coming-of-age story with family at its centre. It's sincere, dynamic, and unexpectedly genuine.
wildflowerz76's review
5.0
Velez has crafted the YA road trip sister story if my dreams! Lulu is the perfect student, but she's a bit of a loner, preferring studying and saving the environment to most anything else. Her older sister Milagro is the social one, more worried about her boyfriend than school. But they're both overshadowed by their older sister Clara who left Maryland for college in Iowa. But Clara had a fight with their mother at Christmas and they haven't spoken in months. Now their mom wants Lulu and Milagro to stay close to home for college. But Lulu, for one, has her sights set on Stanford. Now they're both off on a coast-to-coast college tour where maybe they can figure out some thing....maybe find some clarity?
thebooksareeverywhere's review
3.0
Thank you to the publisher, Harper, for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I listened to this one on audiobook and it’s a great quick read for summer! The audiobook was really enjoyable despite the narrator for one of the sisters (I forget which!) being a little annoying in my opinion, but I got used to it quickly. I liked the sisters and their relationship, which felt realistic and was interesting to see change throughout the book.
I liked the road-trip/travel aspect of the book which made it feel quite summery and fun to follow. It also gave the book a clear plot, which was quick and easy to read. The ending was definitely predictable but I also rooted for the characters, so I didn’t mind too much.
The two main characters were distinct which I liked but had similarities too – I related a lot more to Lulu than Milagro but both were enjoyable to read in their own ways. The side characters were distinctly under-developed though, and I don’t really remember anything about them a week after finishing reading.
This book was enjoyable enough but didn’t blow me away, and would have been much more enjoyable for me as a younger reader. But it was a fun and summery read!
★★★
3 out of 5 stars
-Beth
May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽
I listened to this one on audiobook and it’s a great quick read for summer! The audiobook was really enjoyable despite the narrator for one of the sisters (I forget which!) being a little annoying in my opinion, but I got used to it quickly. I liked the sisters and their relationship, which felt realistic and was interesting to see change throughout the book.
I liked the road-trip/travel aspect of the book which made it feel quite summery and fun to follow. It also gave the book a clear plot, which was quick and easy to read. The ending was definitely predictable but I also rooted for the characters, so I didn’t mind too much.
The two main characters were distinct which I liked but had similarities too – I related a lot more to Lulu than Milagro but both were enjoyable to read in their own ways. The side characters were distinctly under-developed though, and I don’t really remember anything about them a week after finishing reading.
This book was enjoyable enough but didn’t blow me away, and would have been much more enjoyable for me as a younger reader. But it was a fun and summery read!
★★★
3 out of 5 stars
-Beth
May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽
booksare42's review
4.0
Thank you, HCC Frenzy and Harper Collins Canada, for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Lulu and Milagro’s Search for Clarity is a coming-of-age story featuring two sisters, a cross country road trip, and many misunderstandings. This was a cute story with memorable characters, and I am very glad that I picked it up.
The first thing I want to talk about is the two main characters. Lulu and Milagro are sisters. Lulu is the youngest, Milagro is the middle child, and their older sister, Clara, is away at college. Lulu and Milagro don’t have a lot in common. Lulu is brilliant; she has big academic dreams and wants to make a difference in the world. Milagro spends a lot of time in detention, and she’s still trying to figure everything out, she doesn’t think she’s as smart as her siblings, and she’s not sure what her future holds, but she wants to have fun right now. I thought both of these characters were memorable, and I loved reading about them trying to figure everything out. I also loved how much Milagro cared about Lulu and how good she was at hyping her up and looking out for her.
I also liked that this book featured a cross-country college road trip. I liked seeing the different campuses, and I liked the buddy system in this book. I liked that all of the characters from the all-girls catholic school were paired with a character from the all-boys catholic school. I liked watching the friendship blossom between Milagro and her partner and Lulu and her partner. I also liked that while the characters were on the college tours, they got to sit in on classes and that there were activities planned to give them a taste of the campus.
One of my issues with this book was the lack of communication between Lulu and Milagro and their tendency to assume what the other was thinking. It usually annoys me when the plot of a book hinges on a lack of communication, but I was okay with it in this book because the characters are teenagers, and they were dealing with a lot. It would have been nice if Lulu had told Milagro that she was trying to figure out what was going on with Clara because I think they could have worked together to solve that mystery, but they did have a lot going on.
Overall, this was a cute, coming-of-age story. I liked the characters, the road trip, and watching the characters try to figure everything out. I’m definitely going to keep an eye out for the next book that this author writes because I will be adding it to my TBR.
Lulu and Milagro’s Search for Clarity is a coming-of-age story featuring two sisters, a cross country road trip, and many misunderstandings. This was a cute story with memorable characters, and I am very glad that I picked it up.
The first thing I want to talk about is the two main characters. Lulu and Milagro are sisters. Lulu is the youngest, Milagro is the middle child, and their older sister, Clara, is away at college. Lulu and Milagro don’t have a lot in common. Lulu is brilliant; she has big academic dreams and wants to make a difference in the world. Milagro spends a lot of time in detention, and she’s still trying to figure everything out, she doesn’t think she’s as smart as her siblings, and she’s not sure what her future holds, but she wants to have fun right now. I thought both of these characters were memorable, and I loved reading about them trying to figure everything out. I also loved how much Milagro cared about Lulu and how good she was at hyping her up and looking out for her.
I also liked that this book featured a cross-country college road trip. I liked seeing the different campuses, and I liked the buddy system in this book. I liked that all of the characters from the all-girls catholic school were paired with a character from the all-boys catholic school. I liked watching the friendship blossom between Milagro and her partner and Lulu and her partner. I also liked that while the characters were on the college tours, they got to sit in on classes and that there were activities planned to give them a taste of the campus.
One of my issues with this book was the lack of communication between Lulu and Milagro and their tendency to assume what the other was thinking. It usually annoys me when the plot of a book hinges on a lack of communication, but I was okay with it in this book because the characters are teenagers, and they were dealing with a lot. It would have been nice if Lulu had told Milagro that she was trying to figure out what was going on with Clara because I think they could have worked together to solve that mystery, but they did have a lot going on.
Overall, this was a cute, coming-of-age story. I liked the characters, the road trip, and watching the characters try to figure everything out. I’m definitely going to keep an eye out for the next book that this author writes because I will be adding it to my TBR.