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Lulu & Milagro's Search for Clarity
Booksmart meets Never Have I Ever in this Latinx road trip adventure—a big-hearted, voice-driven YA about two sisters who couldn’t be more different, but become begrudging partners on their school’s cross-country college trip—from debut author Angela Velez.
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: Lose Your Virginity) 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.
On 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.
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: Lose Your Virginity) 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.
On 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.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 8, 2022
22 people are currently reading
3665 people want to read
About the author
Angela Velez
3 books53 followersAngela Velez grew up in Baltimore, under the watchful eye of her Peruvian immigrant parents. She has a BA from Columbia University and an MFA from the University of Pittsburgh. Angela lives in Pittsburgh, with her piles of books, three plastic flamingos, and one wobbly disco ball. Lulu and Milagro’s Search for Clarity is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
January 31, 2022
This was actually pretty okay, like not bad but not good either. I wasn't really attached to the characters though and the plot was alright but I got bored during some scenes. I don't have really much to say, so I'll put all my thoughts of the book in point form.
➼ I definitely loved the diversity !! And it was interesting to see each of the sisters' journey they went through.
➼ The sibling dynamic was well done and very realistic, I could definitely understand the feelings Lulu had.
➼ Lulu and Milagro had very distinct personalities and you can really see just how different the two are -- but also the ways they could actually be really similar in some ways.
➼ The side characters were also really underdeveloped and either bland or the stereotypical mean girls.
➼ The ending was definitely believable in my eyes and it was nicely wrapped up in a way that left the reader wondering what would happen next but at the same time allow for us to imagine how everything would turn out for the characters!
Overall, I think for anyone who generally enjoys reading contemporaries and teens who (especially ones with siblings) want to feel like they can relate to characters that you'd enjoy it!!
_______
Thank you Harper Collins Canada for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
➼ I definitely loved the diversity !! And it was interesting to see each of the sisters' journey they went through.
➼ The sibling dynamic was well done and very realistic, I could definitely understand the feelings Lulu had.
➼ Lulu and Milagro had very distinct personalities and you can really see just how different the two are -- but also the ways they could actually be really similar in some ways.
➼ The side characters were also really underdeveloped and either bland or the stereotypical mean girls.
➼ The ending was definitely believable in my eyes and it was nicely wrapped up in a way that left the reader wondering what would happen next but at the same time allow for us to imagine how everything would turn out for the characters!
Overall, I think for anyone who generally enjoys reading contemporaries and teens who (especially ones with siblings) want to feel like they can relate to characters that you'd enjoy it!!
_______
Thank you Harper Collins Canada for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
Want to read
August 6, 202105.08.2021 road trips + sister stories + self-discovery? and with that cover?! sounds so good.
January 26, 2022
TW: mild sexual content (also a scene that borders on coercing), some mention of alcohol use
this book was really cute!
it was fun to see the different journeys that milagro and lulu went on. i genuinely enjoyed both of their characters; they each had extremely distinct voices, which is sometimes hard to find in a book that has multiple POVs. and the conflict with their sister had a lot of turns i didn't expect. i would totally read a sequel to see what happens to all three of the Zavala sisters!
i think the only reason this wasn't a 5-star read because it felt unrealistic at points. Mostly, the "life-changing" trip itself. I cannot believe that two private Catholic schools, including a school that doesn't allow their students to wear lip gloss, would bring two chaperones on a trip with ten girls and ten boys. And also proceed to partner them on everything.
my only other issue was that some of the side characters felt under-developed. mainly, the girls' classmates. i had no more understanding of them at the beginning of the story than i did at the ending. but this didn't really take away from my enjoyment of the book at all.
anyways, enjoy! - lindsey
this book was really cute!
it was fun to see the different journeys that milagro and lulu went on. i genuinely enjoyed both of their characters; they each had extremely distinct voices, which is sometimes hard to find in a book that has multiple POVs. and the conflict with their sister had a lot of turns i didn't expect. i would totally read a sequel to see what happens to all three of the Zavala sisters!
i think the only reason this wasn't a 5-star read because it felt unrealistic at points. Mostly, the "life-changing" trip itself. I cannot believe that two private Catholic schools, including a school that doesn't allow their students to wear lip gloss, would bring two chaperones on a trip with ten girls and ten boys. And also proceed to partner them on everything.
my only other issue was that some of the side characters felt under-developed. mainly, the girls' classmates. i had no more understanding of them at the beginning of the story than i did at the ending. but this didn't really take away from my enjoyment of the book at all.
anyways, enjoy! - lindsey
February 4, 2022
(actual rating: 4.5 stars)
Sisters Lulu and Milagro couldn’t be more different. This is detailed from the get-go with their strikingly different personalities. Lulu is a perfectionist, striving to be the best student and person she can be. She has plans, and she’s not afraid to chase them into reality, namely her dream internship on her school’s cross-country road trip. Meanwhile, middle sister Milagro isn’t up for the challenge of college or further education. Her plans involve, one: losing her virginity as soon as possible, and two, have the best Spring Break.
Unfortunately for Milagro, her Spring Break plans fall through, and just as she’s setting herself up for disappointment, she hops on the class field trip that Lulu is on, flinging herself into distracting from family (and sister) drama, and especially her ex. But on the way, Lulu and Milagro both have their eyes opened to things they never thought. Lulu knows she needs to fix what is stopping her Peruvian mother from letting her go to an out-of-state college, leading the trail to their oldest sister Clara, who is away at college. Meanwhile Milagro sees herself differently on the trip, suddenly seeing possibilities for her life that never propositioned themselves as a genuine reality before.
Overall, Lulu and Milagro’s Search For Clarity was a total breath of fresh air, delightfully brilliant from start to finish. I loved the family and sister dynamic and thought that they were written really truthfully. I did struggle at times to keep up with the different POV’s, especially in the middle, but this wasn’t a bad thing at all, it just showed how similar the sisters were, despite them feeling they weren’t alike. If you’re looking for a charming and honest coming-of-age novel about sisters, finding yourself and growth, this is the perfect one for you. 4.5 stars – Angela is definitely an author to watch!
Sisters Lulu and Milagro couldn’t be more different. This is detailed from the get-go with their strikingly different personalities. Lulu is a perfectionist, striving to be the best student and person she can be. She has plans, and she’s not afraid to chase them into reality, namely her dream internship on her school’s cross-country road trip. Meanwhile, middle sister Milagro isn’t up for the challenge of college or further education. Her plans involve, one: losing her virginity as soon as possible, and two, have the best Spring Break.
Unfortunately for Milagro, her Spring Break plans fall through, and just as she’s setting herself up for disappointment, she hops on the class field trip that Lulu is on, flinging herself into distracting from family (and sister) drama, and especially her ex. But on the way, Lulu and Milagro both have their eyes opened to things they never thought. Lulu knows she needs to fix what is stopping her Peruvian mother from letting her go to an out-of-state college, leading the trail to their oldest sister Clara, who is away at college. Meanwhile Milagro sees herself differently on the trip, suddenly seeing possibilities for her life that never propositioned themselves as a genuine reality before.
Overall, Lulu and Milagro’s Search For Clarity was a total breath of fresh air, delightfully brilliant from start to finish. I loved the family and sister dynamic and thought that they were written really truthfully. I did struggle at times to keep up with the different POV’s, especially in the middle, but this wasn’t a bad thing at all, it just showed how similar the sisters were, despite them feeling they weren’t alike. If you’re looking for a charming and honest coming-of-age novel about sisters, finding yourself and growth, this is the perfect one for you. 4.5 stars – Angela is definitely an author to watch!
January 18, 2022
(this is more like 4.5 stars)
Oh, how I loved this book. I very much think that YA coming of age stories (like this and also Moon Fuentez) are something I missed out on reading as a teenager. But, I'm also grateful I get to read them now. Lulu and Milagro's relationship was very much a sibling dynamic - I say this specifically because sometimes you read books with siblings and it feels fake, but this book had none of that. They had their conflicting moments and you could see how the relationships with each of them and their mother trickled down to influence their lives. It was authentic and I loved how similar but also how different they are. They have their unique personalities and voices and it was evident in the dual-pov chapters. Seeing them go on campus tours kinda made me miss the magic I first felt when on campus. Anyway, I loved this book. I think if you liked How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe, you'll like this too.
Thank you to Netgalley and HCCFrenzy for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Oh, how I loved this book. I very much think that YA coming of age stories (like this and also Moon Fuentez) are something I missed out on reading as a teenager. But, I'm also grateful I get to read them now. Lulu and Milagro's relationship was very much a sibling dynamic - I say this specifically because sometimes you read books with siblings and it feels fake, but this book had none of that. They had their conflicting moments and you could see how the relationships with each of them and their mother trickled down to influence their lives. It was authentic and I loved how similar but also how different they are. They have their unique personalities and voices and it was evident in the dual-pov chapters. Seeing them go on campus tours kinda made me miss the magic I first felt when on campus. Anyway, I loved this book. I think if you liked How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe, you'll like this too.
Thank you to Netgalley and HCCFrenzy for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 14, 2022
absolutely delightful!! i love books about sisters!!
March 24, 2022
Thank you to @epicreads for the finished copy and @harperaudio for the ALC.
I knew I wanted to read this book before I even knew what it was about. That’s how I feel about Latinx books!
Lulu and Milagro’s Search for Clarity is a YA contemporary novel about sisters trying to find themselves.
I love me a good coming of age book. 15 years ago we didn’t have books like this available, it’s why I read so much YA. Representation does matter and there’s so much of it now.
I really enjoyed reading this book. This YA story follows Lulu and Milagros, who spend a week on their school’s college road trip.
This book is very character driven. You’re here for the growth of these characters.
The author did a fantastic job at portraying how teens act and think. I definitely recommend this one to teens who are in the process of planning their future.
I’m honestly shocked that this is a debut, it was a breath of fresh air. I enjoyed it from start to finish. If you’re looking for something light, I suggest you pick this up.
I also listened to the audiobook and I loved it. It was narrated by Adriana Santos and Sol Madariaga. They made it so easy to distinguish between the two sisters. Honestly 10/10 on the audiobook.
I knew I wanted to read this book before I even knew what it was about. That’s how I feel about Latinx books!
Lulu and Milagro’s Search for Clarity is a YA contemporary novel about sisters trying to find themselves.
I love me a good coming of age book. 15 years ago we didn’t have books like this available, it’s why I read so much YA. Representation does matter and there’s so much of it now.
I really enjoyed reading this book. This YA story follows Lulu and Milagros, who spend a week on their school’s college road trip.
This book is very character driven. You’re here for the growth of these characters.
The author did a fantastic job at portraying how teens act and think. I definitely recommend this one to teens who are in the process of planning their future.
I’m honestly shocked that this is a debut, it was a breath of fresh air. I enjoyed it from start to finish. If you’re looking for something light, I suggest you pick this up.
I also listened to the audiobook and I loved it. It was narrated by Adriana Santos and Sol Madariaga. They made it so easy to distinguish between the two sisters. Honestly 10/10 on the audiobook.
May 20, 2023
Sisters Lulu and Milagro couldn’t be any more different from one another. Lulu is a self-professed nerd who aspires to attend a prestigious summer environmental program. Milagro’s focus is on her boyfriend, Pablo, and the latest fashion and makeup trends. One thing these two sisters do have in common is their big sister, Clara. Clara has set the standard of expectations for the two younger Zavala sisters, being a high-achieving, model student and overall good human being.
Everything shifts in the lives of the Zavala sisters through one college tour trip that forces each sister to dig deep within themselves in order to grow individually and as a sibling unit.
This YA novel elicits quintessential heartwarming vibes. It’s a feel-good story that will make you smile, laugh, and root for each character. I particularly enjoyed the way the author weaves in Peruvian culture, and single parenting into this novel. There was a nice balance of lighthearted narrative and moments that create space for deeper thought.
Everything shifts in the lives of the Zavala sisters through one college tour trip that forces each sister to dig deep within themselves in order to grow individually and as a sibling unit.
This YA novel elicits quintessential heartwarming vibes. It’s a feel-good story that will make you smile, laugh, and root for each character. I particularly enjoyed the way the author weaves in Peruvian culture, and single parenting into this novel. There was a nice balance of lighthearted narrative and moments that create space for deeper thought.
February 8, 2022
Thank you to HCC Frenzy for sending me an arc for an honest review.
4/5 stars
I enjoyed reading this one. It was a fun story with really great characters and I loved seeing Milagro’s and Lulu’s personal journeys while they were on this trip. The sister relationship in the book is also a highlight for me, and I loved how it felt realistic.
I thought both Milagro and Lulu were fantastic characters. They both grew so much throughout the story, and I really liked both of them by the end.
The pacing was good, but it did feel a little bit slow and repetitive at times especially when Lulu was focusing on the same issues.
This book was full of heart and sisterly love, and also finding out truths about family and yourself. I’d definitely recommend this YA contemporary.
4/5 stars
I enjoyed reading this one. It was a fun story with really great characters and I loved seeing Milagro’s and Lulu’s personal journeys while they were on this trip. The sister relationship in the book is also a highlight for me, and I loved how it felt realistic.
I thought both Milagro and Lulu were fantastic characters. They both grew so much throughout the story, and I really liked both of them by the end.
The pacing was good, but it did feel a little bit slow and repetitive at times especially when Lulu was focusing on the same issues.
This book was full of heart and sisterly love, and also finding out truths about family and yourself. I’d definitely recommend this YA contemporary.
February 15, 2022
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*
May 3, 2022
LULU AND MILAGRO'S SEARCH FOR CLARITY was ~so~ sweet. The sister dynamics & family expectations were spot on... I definitely got taken back in time. (In case you're wondering, my sister was Milagros and I was Lulu 😂🙈.)
This sibling road-trip story (which I think would *really* appeal to readers who liked How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love With the Universe or the Derry Girls sitcom) has:
🎒 two sisters with nuanced & complex personalities
🎒 schools run by nuns & priests
🎒 teens doing funny teenage stuff
🎒 heartfelt Latinx rep
🎒 side romance plot
🎒 colleges! so many colleges!
🎒 ultimately supportive family
Honestly, if you haven't added it to your classroom libraries (or asked your local libraries to purchase it) yet, you should get on that. This is definitely a good one to share with teens figuring out what they want to do after high school. Especially if they're trying to navigate how their dreams align (or don't) with whatever their families expect.
This sibling road-trip story (which I think would *really* appeal to readers who liked How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love With the Universe or the Derry Girls sitcom) has:
🎒 two sisters with nuanced & complex personalities
🎒 schools run by nuns & priests
🎒 teens doing funny teenage stuff
🎒 heartfelt Latinx rep
🎒 side romance plot
🎒 colleges! so many colleges!
🎒 ultimately supportive family
Honestly, if you haven't added it to your classroom libraries (or asked your local libraries to purchase it) yet, you should get on that. This is definitely a good one to share with teens figuring out what they want to do after high school. Especially if they're trying to navigate how their dreams align (or don't) with whatever their families expect.
October 27, 2022
The school year’s end made this take a lot longer to push through than it should have. Sisters who are opposites, a road trip, and coming off age? Fun way to kick off summer!
January 2, 2022
This is my first read of 2022, and if this is a sign of what's to come, it's going to be a great year in YA!
4.5 stars
2022 is looking like it's going to be another amazing year for YA!
Lulu and Milagro - two (of a total of three) hilarious sisters - alternate perspectives before, during, and very briefly after a school-based road trip for students who are academically high achieving. Before the trip begins, the sisters are clearly set up as different from each other, with Lulu - the younger of the two - playing a more traditionally studious and rule following role and Milagro (in many ways a classic middle child) being more interested in romance (also lust) and fun than in anything that adults find appropriate for her. But neither sister is as basic as these points of misdirection suggest, and both characters and readers win as a result.
Despite a few moments early in the road trip where I had the traditional fleeting thought (i.e., Are we there yet?), the pacing, action, and character growth all come together nicely as the novel evolves. The oldest sister - Clara - plays a critical role in the younger sisters' titular search for clarity, and she is a great foil. Various ancillary characters also add texture to the events. While some of these side plots are romantic (or sexual, at least), the m.c.s are never fully sidetracked by dudes, and I *LOVE* this aspect of the novel. The search for clarity is about the m.c.s, their family, and their individual growth; partners are on the side (and sometimes to the left). I appreciate this feature in most novels but especially YA.
I am admittedly a sucker for a great YA cover, and while that's what drew me to this novel originally, I was thrilled to find that the content was even better than the fantastic packaging hinted. With this novel, Velez has staked a claim on my you-write-it-and-I'll-immediately-request/read-it list. This is a great YA contemporary novel, and I'll be recommending it to students and other audiences for the long haul.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Balzer + Bray for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
4.5 stars
2022 is looking like it's going to be another amazing year for YA!
Lulu and Milagro - two (of a total of three) hilarious sisters - alternate perspectives before, during, and very briefly after a school-based road trip for students who are academically high achieving. Before the trip begins, the sisters are clearly set up as different from each other, with Lulu - the younger of the two - playing a more traditionally studious and rule following role and Milagro (in many ways a classic middle child) being more interested in romance (also lust) and fun than in anything that adults find appropriate for her. But neither sister is as basic as these points of misdirection suggest, and both characters and readers win as a result.
Despite a few moments early in the road trip where I had the traditional fleeting thought (i.e., Are we there yet?), the pacing, action, and character growth all come together nicely as the novel evolves. The oldest sister - Clara - plays a critical role in the younger sisters' titular search for clarity, and she is a great foil. Various ancillary characters also add texture to the events. While some of these side plots are romantic (or sexual, at least), the m.c.s are never fully sidetracked by dudes, and I *LOVE* this aspect of the novel. The search for clarity is about the m.c.s, their family, and their individual growth; partners are on the side (and sometimes to the left). I appreciate this feature in most novels but especially YA.
I am admittedly a sucker for a great YA cover, and while that's what drew me to this novel originally, I was thrilled to find that the content was even better than the fantastic packaging hinted. With this novel, Velez has staked a claim on my you-write-it-and-I'll-immediately-request/read-it list. This is a great YA contemporary novel, and I'll be recommending it to students and other audiences for the long haul.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Balzer + Bray for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
April 11, 2022
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.
January 25, 2022
I have to begin by admitting that a substantial part of what drew me to this book was the “Never Have I Ever” comparison, as I’m mildly obsessed with that show. That being said, I don’t think it’s at all fair because the similarities are basically being a brown person raised only by your mother.
Putting that aside, I did really like this book. I loved the dueling sisters’ points-of view and I think any teenager approaching college would find much to identify with. The arc of Milagro was especially intriguing and I wish there would be a follow-up book of where she ends up. All in all, a solid debut!
Putting that aside, I did really like this book. I loved the dueling sisters’ points-of view and I think any teenager approaching college would find much to identify with. The arc of Milagro was especially intriguing and I wish there would be a follow-up book of where she ends up. All in all, a solid debut!
February 6, 2022
***ARC provided by Harper360ya***
I ended up really enjoying this book, much to my surprise! This book would be perfect for people who are 17/18 and are thinking about university because it captures the feelings of growing up at that stage e.g familial problems, breaks ups, not knowing one’s purpose in life. I will say that the book could have been cut down because there are moments that don’t add much value and feel tedious. Otherwise, an enjoyable read!
I ended up really enjoying this book, much to my surprise! This book would be perfect for people who are 17/18 and are thinking about university because it captures the feelings of growing up at that stage e.g familial problems, breaks ups, not knowing one’s purpose in life. I will say that the book could have been cut down because there are moments that don’t add much value and feel tedious. Otherwise, an enjoyable read!
February 17, 2022
An adorable YA novel centered around the relationship between three sisters as they navigate various stages of going off to college and pursuing their dreams. Their zany antics were delightful, but most of all loved the realistic and moving portrayal of sibling relationships where each tries to break out of the roles they’ve been cast in without rejecting their bond.
April 2, 2023
This book so perfectly encapsulated the joys and hardships of being a sister (especially as a teen). I loved following sisters Lulu and Milagro as they traveled across the country on a spring break college tour. Velez is a local Pittsburgh author and I would love to meet her!!
Read
April 24, 2022DNF 25% Just not feeling it tbh, don’t wanna force myself to read it
August 8, 2024
*listened to audiobook* i love me a coming of age story… especially with sisters 🤩🤩🤩
July 20, 2022
This was such a great YA novel! It made lol and I enjoyed so much the author's writing style. I highly recommend it if you enjoy YA novels! I will add more to my review later on.
October 20, 2022
My review is at StoryGraph
November 22, 2021
I'll admit I was dubious at first when the first chapter was about a high school girl on a mission to lose her virginity - not a message I feel should be sent out to teens. However, as that plan got thwarted and I got further into the book, I started to really enjoy it.
There are some great messages in here - college may not be for everyone, and if it is, college isn't one size fits all. Some places that are the right fit for one might not be the place for someone else. Taking time to reassess life plans is not the same as quitting. When you are deceitful, it is up to you to make it right with the people you lied to.
There are some great messages in here - college may not be for everyone, and if it is, college isn't one size fits all. Some places that are the right fit for one might not be the place for someone else. Taking time to reassess life plans is not the same as quitting. When you are deceitful, it is up to you to make it right with the people you lied to.
March 17, 2022
Full review now up on the blog: https://www.thewritinggreyhound.co.uk...
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.
September 6, 2022
i was so excited for this it looked so cute but it felt a little too predictable. i did like clara tho shes fun and love the rep of failing classes and dropping out of college lmao
October 6, 2022
very cute story, i wish it was more fleshed out, maybe a little too young for me
January 13, 2023
2.5. Loved Lulu, but Milagro was not a favorite of mine.
August 16, 2022
Lulu and Milagro's Search for Clarity follows two sisters who are both trying to achieve their future goals. However, they are very different goals. Lulu is trying to get into a prestigious summer internship at Stanford University, in the hopes of one day pursuing a science degree in biology and conservation. Milagro on the other hand, just wants to loose her virginity with her current boyfriend. The perfect time seems to arrive when Lulu is headed on a university tour during March break and her mom is going on a religious retreat with her aunt. This leaves Milagro home alone and the opportunity to finally have sex with her boyfriend. However, after a turn of events, Milagro now finds her self also on the university tour instead of at home with her boyfriend. Along the way both sisters experience personal growth and begin to realize that the future they dreamed for themselves might not turn out exactly as planned, and that that might not be for the worse. As they travel across the country, they also start to piece together why their perfect older sister who is away at university studying premed isn't acting quite like the old her.
When I read this book I connected a lot to Lulu. I am also a biology nerd and have always been more focused on academics than the relationships in my life. I really enjoyed her journey in this book.
Something you might not know about me, is that I am a high school math/science teacher and in this book I was just constantly reminded of the students I work with on a daily basis. Last year, I worked as a academic support teacher, and in this position I worked with a lot of students who had nearly given up on school because of all the years that they spent not feeling smart enough. Milagro reminded me a lot of them. Although I personally connected the most with Lulu it was Milagro's story that meant the most to me.
I think this book did a really great job showing that life doesn't always turn out how we imagine and that we are always growing and gaining new perspectives. So many people, but especially teens to new adults will be able to connect with atleast one of the three sisters.
When I read this book I connected a lot to Lulu. I am also a biology nerd and have always been more focused on academics than the relationships in my life. I really enjoyed her journey in this book.
Something you might not know about me, is that I am a high school math/science teacher and in this book I was just constantly reminded of the students I work with on a daily basis. Last year, I worked as a academic support teacher, and in this position I worked with a lot of students who had nearly given up on school because of all the years that they spent not feeling smart enough. Milagro reminded me a lot of them. Although I personally connected the most with Lulu it was Milagro's story that meant the most to me.
I think this book did a really great job showing that life doesn't always turn out how we imagine and that we are always growing and gaining new perspectives. So many people, but especially teens to new adults will be able to connect with atleast one of the three sisters.
January 18, 2022
This YA story is about two sisters, Lulu and Milagro, who spend a week on their school’s college road trip. Lulu couldn’t be more excited; she dreams of going off to college like their big sister Clara, and she has a special interview at Stanford for a summer program. Her trip is ruined before it starts, though, when her Mami makes her promise she won’t go away for the summer. Milagro, meanwhile, wasn’t supposed to go on the trip at all, and is a last-minute addition due to her recently-improving GPA and another student getting sick. She’s still determined not to attend, and to spend her week as planned with her boyfriend - until she finds out he’s cheating on her. Now on the trip together, the two sisters each have their own agenda.
It took me a long time to get into this story. It was very slow moving, which may appeal to some readers, but didn’t work for me. The book was very character-driven, and I could definitely see some readers - especially teen readers - quickly identifying with Lulu or Milagro, but since I didn’t connect with either of them, I found it very difficult to become invested in the story. The story did pick up in the last part of the book, and I enjoyed this part more than the rest.
Lulu and Milagro’s struggles and motivations were both very believable and, at times, moving. Milagro feels like an academic failure compared to her sisters, and she’s shocked to discover that her GPA is high enough to go on the trip at all. She had tied up her goals entirely in her relationship with her boyfriend, so when that relationship ends, she isn’t sure how to feel or what to do with herself. Lulu, meanwhile, knows she’s smart, and she’s known what she’s wanted to do with her life since she was a child. The trip, and her strained relationship with Clara, make her doubt herself and her own abilities.
Overall, this book just wasn’t for me, but I think there are a lot of people who would enjoy it a lot more than I would and who it would really speak to.
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the eARC.
It took me a long time to get into this story. It was very slow moving, which may appeal to some readers, but didn’t work for me. The book was very character-driven, and I could definitely see some readers - especially teen readers - quickly identifying with Lulu or Milagro, but since I didn’t connect with either of them, I found it very difficult to become invested in the story. The story did pick up in the last part of the book, and I enjoyed this part more than the rest.
Lulu and Milagro’s struggles and motivations were both very believable and, at times, moving. Milagro feels like an academic failure compared to her sisters, and she’s shocked to discover that her GPA is high enough to go on the trip at all. She had tied up her goals entirely in her relationship with her boyfriend, so when that relationship ends, she isn’t sure how to feel or what to do with herself. Lulu, meanwhile, knows she’s smart, and she’s known what she’s wanted to do with her life since she was a child. The trip, and her strained relationship with Clara, make her doubt herself and her own abilities.
Overall, this book just wasn’t for me, but I think there are a lot of people who would enjoy it a lot more than I would and who it would really speak to.
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the eARC.
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