The Secrets of Lovelace Academy

By: Marie Benedict, Courtney Sheinmel

Narrated by: Billie Fulford-Brown

“A charming tale weaving in historical events, epic adventure, and a coming-of-age story that readers will devour.” —Gayle Forman, bestselling author of Not Nothing

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.

All contributions are important.

This would be a great read for all young people especially young girls. It has been a slow, gradual movement toward valuing and acknowledging young girls’ and women’s contributions to mathematics and science.

This Feels Like a Much Older Book

Besides the acknowledgment of women’s contributions to math and science, everything else about this book feels like it comes from a goofy-two-shows protagonist era (like Pollyanna, A Little Princess, etc.). Though if you know someone who loves historical fiction centered around scientific figures, this might be a fun listen for them.

Amazing historical fiction

I love how the context of women in history is given life and flesh in Marie Benedict’s books. This is another excellent example

Wonderful!

I'd call this a modern classic of historical fiction for kids. Listen to it with your STEM- or STEAM-interested middle schoolers. In Ada Lovelace to Mileva Einstein, you've got two great role models. But mostly this is just a lovely and very moving story.

Very spot on with details of the time.

All would love the moral of the story:
females going forward with strength, joy, and work to make the family strong!