About This Book:
From New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict and Courtney Sheinmel comes a historical adventure about a young girl plucked from a London orphanage to begin attending a boarding school with more secrets than she could imagine—perfect for fans of Enola Holmes.
Lainey Philipps has lived at the Sycamore Home for Orphaned Children since she was three years old. Now nearly a teenager, her life is hard, and she doesn’t expect it to get better—until a chance encounter during an open house changes everything when Lainey meets a woman who invites her to attend the prestigious Lovelace Academy.
Fitting in amongst the many privileged students within the ivy-covered walls of Lovelace Academy presents challenges unlike the ones Lainey has faced in the past. Her life of drudgery has hardly prepared her for the aristocratic airs and cutthroat academic ambition of the other girls. Terrified she’ll be cast out of the academy, Lainey grabs at her chance to prove herself by traveling to Switzerland to meet a female scientist crafting a groundbreaking theory.
Determined to prove her capability and reach her destination, Lainey must rely on her own wit—as well as a mysterious boy who has yet to prove himself as friend or foe. But the real test is what awaits her in Switzerland, at the home of Mileva Maric, wife of Albert Einstein.
*Review Contributed By Jan Farnworth, Staff Reviewer*
More then meets the eye
The Secrets of Lovelace Academy is a historical fiction middle-grade story about a young orphan named Lainey. After her parents die in a car crash, she lands at a horrible orphanage. The story is set in 1904, and the historical depressing aspects of life as an orphan are realistic as we spend time with Lainey at the orphanage. It is pretty clear that Lainey has a strong spirit and doesn’t let the conditions of her life keep her from teaching the other children to read, helping them with the various chores, and even being there to help when they are scared. Lainey reminded me of Anne of Shirley, another strong female character who always looked on the bright side of life regardless of what life threw her. The most interesting part of the story is when Laniey sets off on a mission to help Mileva Maric, the wife of Albert Einstein. Middle-grade readers who love science, strong female characters, and striving to achieve their dreams against all odds, Secrets of Lovelace Academy will be a perfect read.
