A new paperback edition of Julia Alvarez’s beloved story about family, identity, and first love.
Milly Kaufman is an ordinary American teenager living in Vermont—and then she meets Pablo, a new student at her high school. His exotic accent, strange fashion sense, and intense interest in Milly force her to confront her identity as an adopted child from Pablo’s native country. As their relationship grows, Milly decides to undertake a courageous journey to her homeland and, along the way, discovers the story of her birth is intertwined with the story of a country recovering from a brutal past.
Beautifully written by renowned author Julia Alvarez, Finding Miracles examines the emotional complexity of familial relationships and the miracles of everyday life.
“An outstanding YA novel.” —KLIATT
“Complex multicultural characters and skillful depiction of Latino culture raise this readable novel, which is a school story, a family story, and a love story, to far above average.” —VOYA
“Written with immediacy and charm, there is accessibility to the very American Milly’s attitudes and ideas that will help readers accompany her on her journey of discovery and growth.” —Kirkus Reviews
“This is a deeply moving, but also pleasantly humorous, coming-of-age story with thoughtful infusions about human rights issues.” —SLJPraise for Return to Sender:
Winner of the Pura Belpre Award
"This timely novel, torn right from the newspaper headlines, conveys a positive message of cooperation and understanding."--School Library Journal
"The plot is purposive, with messages about the historical connections between migrant workers today and the Indians' displacement, the Underground Railroad, and earlier immigrants seeking refuge. But the young people's voices make for a fast read; the characters, including the adults, are drawn with real complexity; and the questions raised about the meaning of patriotism will spark debate."--Booklist
Praise for Before We Were Free:
Winner of the Pura Belpre Award
"Alvarez brings her warmth, sensitivity and eye for detail to a volatile setting the Dominican Republic of her childhood, during the 1960-1961 attempt to overthrow Trujillo's dictatorship. A stirring work of art."--Publishers Weekly
"Diary entries written by the child while in hiding will remind readers of Anne Frank's story. Readers will be convinced by the voice of this Spanish-speaking teenager who tells her story entirely in the present tense. Like Anita's brother Mund'n, readers will bite their nails as the story moves to its inexorable conclusion."--School Library Journal
"Readers interested in the history will grab this. Like Lyll Becerra de Jenkins' The Honorable Prison and Beverley Naidoo's The Other Side of Truth, Alvarez's story will also spark intense discussion about politics and family."--Booklist
