Review Detail

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.