THE SECRETS OF LOVELACE ACADEMY, by Marie Benedict and Courtney Sheinmel, Aladdin, April 22, 2025, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)
An orphan suddenly finds herself at an exclusive boarding school for young women in The Secrets of Lovelace Academy, by Marie Benedict and Courtney Sheinmel.
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. —Synopsis provided by Aladdin
The Secrets of Lovelace Academy is a delightful middle-grade mystery that celebrates women and girls with great scientific imaginations.
The Secrets of Lovelace Academy is a warm novel that will resonate with young readers, especially girls. There’s a wonderful energy that runs throughout, creating excitement and encouraging imagination.
Co-authors Marie Benedict (The Other Einstein and Her Hidden Genius) and Courtney Sheinmel (Stella Batts series) are an excellent pair, drawing on Benedict’s skill as a historical fiction author and Sheinmel’s vast experience in the middle-grade world. Together, their writing is accessible and assured. Their pacing is strong and prose comfortable.
From its strong main character to compelling storyline, The Secrets of Lovelace Academy is a wonderful read. I highly recommend it.
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