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The Secrets of Lovelace Academy
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.
Lainey Phillips 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.
Lainey Phillips 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.
295 pages, Hardcover
Published April 22, 2025
98 people are currently reading
8190 people want to read
About the author
Marie Benedict
21 books12.8k followersMarie Benedict is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Queens of Crime, The Mitford Affair, Her Hidden Genius, The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, The Only Woman in the Room, Lady Clementine, Carnegie's Maid, The Other Einstein, and the novella, Agent 355. With Victoria Christopher Murray, she co-wrote the Good Morning America Book Club pick The Personal Librarian and the Target Book of the Year The First Ladies. With Courtney Sheinmel, she co-wrote the first in a middle grade historical adventure series, called The Secrets of the Lovelace Academy.
Her books have been translated into thirty languages, and selected for the Barnes & Noble Book Club, Target Book Club, Costco Book Club, Indie Next List, and LibraryReads List.
Up next is the March 24, 2026 release, DAUGHTER OF EGYPT, the sweeping tale of a young aristocratic archaeologist — Lady Evelyn of Highclere Castle, the real Downton Abbey — who unearths the truth about a forgotten female Pharaoh, rewriting both of their legacies forever.
Her books have been translated into thirty languages, and selected for the Barnes & Noble Book Club, Target Book Club, Costco Book Club, Indie Next List, and LibraryReads List.
Up next is the March 24, 2026 release, DAUGHTER OF EGYPT, the sweeping tale of a young aristocratic archaeologist — Lady Evelyn of Highclere Castle, the real Downton Abbey — who unearths the truth about a forgotten female Pharaoh, rewriting both of their legacies forever.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
June 29, 2025
I think this is a middle school book? I plan to get it for my niece. Great story of self-reliance, friendships, trust in yourself and trust in others, fairness, and sexism (specifically in science).
Poor (literally) Lainey is an orphan who's been taken advantage of from the time her parents die until she finds her mettle tested. But along the way, she learns who her friends really are and how much potential she has to go as far as she dare. She also has her eyes opened even more than she thought they could be on the fairness of life.
I liked how connected she still was to her parents, a decade after they'd died. I do the same thing - talk to my parents (the closest I'll ever get to praying). There's something comforting there. Also liked that the Einstein focus was on the first wife, Mileva Marić. I don't really know what specific contributions she made, but that's kind of the point of this part of the story. And on the topic of giving credit to the right people, I'd like to point out that Isaac Newton did not discovery gravity (yup, I was taught that too). Credit goes to ancient multiple Muslim and Indian scholars, most notably 7th century Indian mathmetician and astronomer Brahmagupta, 10th/11th century Afghan Muslim Abū al-Rayḥān Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad al-Bīrūnī, and 12th century Indian mathmetician and astronomer Bhāskara II. Newton provided a mathematical framework to calculate the force of gravity between two objects with mass.
One small anachronism - dyslexia didn't really become a common diagnosis until the 1960s. Book takes place before WWII.
Charming book overall. Rounding up to five (because I'm pretty sure that's how my niece would rate it).
Poor (literally) Lainey is an orphan who's been taken advantage of from the time her parents die until she finds her mettle tested. But along the way, she learns who her friends really are and how much potential she has to go as far as she dare. She also has her eyes opened even more than she thought they could be on the fairness of life.
I liked how connected she still was to her parents, a decade after they'd died. I do the same thing - talk to my parents (the closest I'll ever get to praying). There's something comforting there. Also liked that the Einstein focus was on the first wife, Mileva Marić. I don't really know what specific contributions she made, but that's kind of the point of this part of the story. And on the topic of giving credit to the right people, I'd like to point out that Isaac Newton did not discovery gravity (yup, I was taught that too). Credit goes to ancient multiple Muslim and Indian scholars, most notably 7th century Indian mathmetician and astronomer Brahmagupta, 10th/11th century Afghan Muslim Abū al-Rayḥān Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad al-Bīrūnī, and 12th century Indian mathmetician and astronomer Bhāskara II. Newton provided a mathematical framework to calculate the force of gravity between two objects with mass.
One small anachronism - dyslexia didn't really become a common diagnosis until the 1960s. Book takes place before WWII.
Charming book overall. Rounding up to five (because I'm pretty sure that's how my niece would rate it).
April 12, 2025
I love this book. Harrowing and uplifting— a must read for middle graders and history lovers.
March 7, 2025
This is such a cute little journey that I would have loved to read as a teen. All of the characters, Lainey especially, were likable and relatable. I appreciated the small quotes, things that made me actually sit back and reflect on them and I appreciated the push for society to accept women into science in the 1900s. It got a little wild around the middle, if I'm being honest, my immersion was broken just a bit because it felt like too many things were happening at once but I did truly enjoy every moment of this book. Highly recommend for young girls who are interested in math and science!
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for this eARC.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for this eARC.
April 7, 2025
After tragically losing her parents at a very young age, Lainey Philipps has lived at the Sycamore Home for Orphaned Children. Despite the wretched conditions in the orphanage, Lainey feeds her mind by reading every book she can find even reading the dictionary cover to cover. During an open house, Lainey is given the opportunity to attend the prestigious Lovelace Academy. Although we come from vastly different backgrounds, I felt an immediate kinship with Lainey, based on our shared love of books and reading. This story highlights the fact that in the past many women's contributions may have not been in print and known to the world, but what they shared is incredibly valuable. This book was a beautiful mix of adventure, courage, and celebrating the power of girls supporting each other. I highly recommended for young readers and the grownups who support them.
May 8, 2025
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Audio, LibroFM, Marie Benedict, Courtney Sheinmel, and Aladdin for the ALC and ARC!
I really enjoyed the first half of this book! Hearing of Lainey’s experiences as an orphan was just heartbreaking, and by the time she gets to go to the school, I was ready to fight for her. Then the bullying at school - this girl cannot catch a break. Unfortunately, I started to lose a little bit of the story when she heads to Switzerland. There is a LOT going on, and we never do get a wrap up of her relationship with the kids she meets along the way in Switzerland. I did still really enjoy - just think it could’ve cut some of the characters/events in the middle!
I really enjoyed the first half of this book! Hearing of Lainey’s experiences as an orphan was just heartbreaking, and by the time she gets to go to the school, I was ready to fight for her. Then the bullying at school - this girl cannot catch a break. Unfortunately, I started to lose a little bit of the story when she heads to Switzerland. There is a LOT going on, and we never do get a wrap up of her relationship with the kids she meets along the way in Switzerland. I did still really enjoy - just think it could’ve cut some of the characters/events in the middle!
April 22, 2025
This is a wonderful story of a 12 year old girl, who loves learning, and wants there to be equal opportunity for women and men. The first thing I thought of reading it was a similarity to Anne with an E - another strong young woman breaking new ground. It had fun adventure and travel, and great historical information on the Einsteins, Albert and “the Other Einstein” as Marie Benedict has written about.
May 10, 2025
3.5 stars. Not Marie Benedict’s best. Could’ve been better.
May 4, 2025
A wonderful middle school historical fiction set mostly in London in 1905. Although 12 year old Lainey is fictional, her life in the orphanage is consistent with historical accounts of the abusive system that existed.
The attempts of women to be recognized for their contributions in math and scientific discoveries must have been frustrating in this time period and prior. The author points out the obstacles that had to be overcome by a generation of women pioneers who fought for the right to be allowed to study and learn along with men. Good read. Fits in well with another of Benedict‘s historical fiction work, The Other Mrs Einstein.
The attempts of women to be recognized for their contributions in math and scientific discoveries must have been frustrating in this time period and prior. The author points out the obstacles that had to be overcome by a generation of women pioneers who fought for the right to be allowed to study and learn along with men. Good read. Fits in well with another of Benedict‘s historical fiction work, The Other Mrs Einstein.
October 6, 2025
Middle grade
Recommend recommended age :8 or 9-12
This was good but not great. It was enjoyable enough, but I feel it will be forgettable. And I feel like the writing wasn’t as good quality, and some things in the plot just felt weird to read about because of how poor the writing was in some spots. I did like the part where she met other orphans in the city honestly wish she stayed with them hehe… but yeah, if I were to recommend this, it would have to be the right person and right time.
Recommend recommended age :8 or 9-12
This was good but not great. It was enjoyable enough, but I feel it will be forgettable. And I feel like the writing wasn’t as good quality, and some things in the plot just felt weird to read about because of how poor the writing was in some spots. I did like the part where she met other orphans in the city honestly wish she stayed with them hehe… but yeah, if I were to recommend this, it would have to be the right person and right time.
April 24, 2025
This young adult’s novel, a wondrous collaboration between best-selling adult novelist Marie Benedict and young adult writer Courtney Sheinmel, offers up a young teen’s perspective about meeting Albert Einstein’s brilliant wife Mileva Einstein, who’s behind the scenes work significantly contributed to Einstein’s famous equation and who gets featured in Benedicts’ fabulous adult novel, The Other Einstein (which all grown-ups need to read in tandem!).
The novel opens with Ada Lovelace writing from her deathbed in 1852 bemoaning that as much as she’s adored planning in her life, she now can only plan her children’s future. She uses her money as daughter of poet Lord Byron, to fund a girls’ boarding school focused on math and science. Her daughter, Lady Anne Blunt, takes over running the Lovelace Academy. On a visit to a local orphanage which she supports (run by tyrants who act nice in front of donors), she discovers Lainey Phillips doing science experiments by herself in a corner. She offers Lainey the first scholarship to the academy.
Lainey struggles to fit in with the wealthy, snobby girls at the academy and unexpectedly finds herself on a grand adventure to Switzerland to see if she can help Mileva Einstein the ground-breaking math equations she’s doing with her husband Albert Einstein, who at the time was serving as a postal clerk. Lainey connects with other orphaned children and sets out to prove herself worthy of her place at Lovelace Academy.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.
The novel opens with Ada Lovelace writing from her deathbed in 1852 bemoaning that as much as she’s adored planning in her life, she now can only plan her children’s future. She uses her money as daughter of poet Lord Byron, to fund a girls’ boarding school focused on math and science. Her daughter, Lady Anne Blunt, takes over running the Lovelace Academy. On a visit to a local orphanage which she supports (run by tyrants who act nice in front of donors), she discovers Lainey Phillips doing science experiments by herself in a corner. She offers Lainey the first scholarship to the academy.
Lainey struggles to fit in with the wealthy, snobby girls at the academy and unexpectedly finds herself on a grand adventure to Switzerland to see if she can help Mileva Einstein the ground-breaking math equations she’s doing with her husband Albert Einstein, who at the time was serving as a postal clerk. Lainey connects with other orphaned children and sets out to prove herself worthy of her place at Lovelace Academy.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.
April 5, 2025
The Secrets of Lovelace Academy is another wonderful addition to Marie Benedict’s growing list of books that spotlight extraordinary women—this time written in collaboration with Courtney Sheinmel. Perfect for middle school readers, especially girls interested in STEM, this story is equal parts inspiring, adventurous, and thought-provoking.
We follow 12-year-old Lainey as she embarks on an unexpected journey that blends mystery, friendship, and science. Along the way, readers are introduced to real historical figures like Mileva Marić, Einstein’s brilliant first wife, and get a glimpse into the challenges faced by women in science in the early 1900s. There are tough moments and hard lessons, but they're balanced with uplifting messages of perseverance, curiosity, and empowerment.
This book is a beautiful mix of adventure and heart, celebrating the power of girls supporting each other and finding their place in a world that doesn’t always make space for them. Highly recommended for young readers—and the grown-ups who cheer them on.
We follow 12-year-old Lainey as she embarks on an unexpected journey that blends mystery, friendship, and science. Along the way, readers are introduced to real historical figures like Mileva Marić, Einstein’s brilliant first wife, and get a glimpse into the challenges faced by women in science in the early 1900s. There are tough moments and hard lessons, but they're balanced with uplifting messages of perseverance, curiosity, and empowerment.
This book is a beautiful mix of adventure and heart, celebrating the power of girls supporting each other and finding their place in a world that doesn’t always make space for them. Highly recommended for young readers—and the grown-ups who cheer them on.
May 2, 2025
A fine concept for a children’s novel, but also a huge reminder that there is often a significant disconnect between what some adults think kids want to/should read and what kids actually want to read.
This is billed as a sort of mystery/adventure with some historical context, and it doesn’t really succeed in any of these capacities. The “mystery” is misleading and in the end hardly a mystery at all, the historical context is thin and feels a bit like a women in STEM kitchen sink, and the adventure is not especially plausible nor fun enough to help you forget its implausibility.
There’s really no sense of place in this story at all, and I think that’s a mistake when the goal seems to be attempting to help kids imagine life and lessons in a different place and time. It’s not at all evocative visually, which would have been easy enough to realize in a story like this. It’s also worth noting that most of the book does not take place at a school, so if you saw the word Academy in the title and thought you were getting a novel about that…well.
I’ve generally not been a fan of Marie Benedict’s novels because she tends to eschew details of the accomplishments of really important women in history in order to imagine them into a schlocky romantic subplot. There’s nothing like that going on here and the story is certainly age-appropriate in terms of pacing and language, but my kids were bored by this one and honestly, so was I.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
This is billed as a sort of mystery/adventure with some historical context, and it doesn’t really succeed in any of these capacities. The “mystery” is misleading and in the end hardly a mystery at all, the historical context is thin and feels a bit like a women in STEM kitchen sink, and the adventure is not especially plausible nor fun enough to help you forget its implausibility.
There’s really no sense of place in this story at all, and I think that’s a mistake when the goal seems to be attempting to help kids imagine life and lessons in a different place and time. It’s not at all evocative visually, which would have been easy enough to realize in a story like this. It’s also worth noting that most of the book does not take place at a school, so if you saw the word Academy in the title and thought you were getting a novel about that…well.
I’ve generally not been a fan of Marie Benedict’s novels because she tends to eschew details of the accomplishments of really important women in history in order to imagine them into a schlocky romantic subplot. There’s nothing like that going on here and the story is certainly age-appropriate in terms of pacing and language, but my kids were bored by this one and honestly, so was I.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
April 8, 2025
Marie Benedict and Courtney Sheinmel offer an engaging middle-grade historical adventure in "The Secrets of Lovelace Academy". Set in 1904 London, the story follows Lainey Phillips, an orphan whose life takes a turn when she’s invited to the prestigious Lovelace Academy. The narrative explores themes of resilience, inclusivity, and the empowerment of girls in science, with a strong focus on Lainey’s personal growth and intellectual curiosity.
While the Lovelace Society—a group supporting women scientists—appears in the story, it serves more as a backdrop than a central element. The real heart of the book lies in Lainey’s determination to overcome prejudice and carve out her place in the academic world.
By incorporating Mileva Maric, Albert Einstein’s first wife and a significant historical figure, the authors add a layer of historical depth and connect the narrative to Benedict’s adult work, "The Other Einstein". This inclusion provides young readers with an opportunity to learn about important, though often overlooked, contributions to science.
Overall, "The Secrets of Lovelace Academy" celebrates resilience and female representation in STEM. Perfect for readers who enjoy historical adventures with themes of perseverance and inclusion.
Thank you to the authors, the publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
While the Lovelace Society—a group supporting women scientists—appears in the story, it serves more as a backdrop than a central element. The real heart of the book lies in Lainey’s determination to overcome prejudice and carve out her place in the academic world.
By incorporating Mileva Maric, Albert Einstein’s first wife and a significant historical figure, the authors add a layer of historical depth and connect the narrative to Benedict’s adult work, "The Other Einstein". This inclusion provides young readers with an opportunity to learn about important, though often overlooked, contributions to science.
Overall, "The Secrets of Lovelace Academy" celebrates resilience and female representation in STEM. Perfect for readers who enjoy historical adventures with themes of perseverance and inclusion.
Thank you to the authors, the publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 18, 2025
“The Secrets of Lovelace Academy” caught my attention since it had some definite Harry Potter vibes with an orphaned main character getting accepted into a mysterious and prestigious boarding school.
Set in early 1900s London, the story follows 12-year-old Lainey Philipps as she transitions from a strict orphanage to the elite Lovelace Academy. Her journey from uncertainty to confidence is heartwarming and inspiring.
I liked how the book highlights the achievements of women in science, especially through Lainey’s work with Mileva Maric - Albert Einstein’s brilliant first wife. Their relationship is full of warmth, mentorship, and mutual respect.
That said, the sudden shift in setting from the academy to Switzerland caught me off guard. I was expecting the bulk of the story to take place at the school, so it felt a little misleading based on the title. The pacing also felt uneven at times, and with characters coming and going quickly, it was tough to stay emotionally invested with any of the other characters.
Overall, I’d recommend this to middle school aged readers who enjoy historical fiction with smart, determined heroes and a hint of adventure. It’s a thoughtful story with a strong message about resilience, curiosity, and finding your place in the world.
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, and Aladdin for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest review.
Set in early 1900s London, the story follows 12-year-old Lainey Philipps as she transitions from a strict orphanage to the elite Lovelace Academy. Her journey from uncertainty to confidence is heartwarming and inspiring.
I liked how the book highlights the achievements of women in science, especially through Lainey’s work with Mileva Maric - Albert Einstein’s brilliant first wife. Their relationship is full of warmth, mentorship, and mutual respect.
That said, the sudden shift in setting from the academy to Switzerland caught me off guard. I was expecting the bulk of the story to take place at the school, so it felt a little misleading based on the title. The pacing also felt uneven at times, and with characters coming and going quickly, it was tough to stay emotionally invested with any of the other characters.
Overall, I’d recommend this to middle school aged readers who enjoy historical fiction with smart, determined heroes and a hint of adventure. It’s a thoughtful story with a strong message about resilience, curiosity, and finding your place in the world.
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, and Aladdin for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest review.
May 27, 2025
I learned about Ada Lovelace when I read The Enchantress of Numbers by Jennifer Chiaverini, and about Mileva Maric when I read The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict. I figure that any book written by Marie Benedict has to be good; so I got this book, even though it is intended for young students. Most of it is about a girl who spent 10 years in an orphanage and then was lucky enough to get a scholarship to an exclusive girls school when she was 13. She never fit in with all of the rich girls, but she was able to go to Switzerland to work for the Einsteins. She was basically a nanny to their toddler, but she was there while they wrote up their famous theory of relativity. This book explains that theory so that even I can understand it. It also encourages girls to study science and mathematics.
May 4, 2025
Excellent upper elementary historical fiction read! I learned a lot Albert Einstein.
May 22, 2025
I would've loved this book as a kid! While it definitely reads as children's literature, the story is interesting and empowering.
May 5, 2025
Totally unrealistic characters and plot.
March 25, 2025
3.75⭐️
So I’m a bit flummoxed on how to review this book as I don’t know how I feel about it because it is a middle grade book.
Overall I liked it and I think young readers will like the fun adventure the main character goes on.
It has the ability to possibly get young ones to be interesting in math and science to see where it can take them.
That being said a few things bothered me.
First, and I realize history isn’t always pleasant but the beginning of the book was terribly depressing. I know how I reacted to it as an adult so I can only imagine what an 11 year old mind may do with it.
Secondly, it’s historical fiction but the historical facts don’t make sense for the timeline. The author tries to cover some of the information where some of it could technically happen but not all. Particularly when she speaks about the car that Lainey remembers being a passenger in at 3 years old . Let’s set aside that she apparently was a super 3 year old with the language skills of a school ages child, the car described just wasn’t available in the year that she would have been talking about. Now I’m not going to give a break down (although I could and it doesn’t track) as the authors were clever not to give exact specifics but they did give enough where it doesn’t match up. Is a young reader going to notice? Of course not. But should we be having incorrect historical info in books shaping young minds?
The other fact that didn’t sit well historically was having a character be dyslexic. That fact is great! Wonderful connections for inclusivity. However, at the time in history the chances of her knowing she was dyslexic or having the name for it was really slim. Because while it was first named in research circles back in the early 1800’s, it wasn’t wide know as a diagnostic term until over 100 years later. The causal use of it takes one out of the history. It could easily be fixed in giving some other background of how young Sabrina came to know of this diagnosis. It would have made it fit better in history while giving a great lesson for the reader.
Lastly, while the book is rich with historical details and such it still reads like a modern story . That of course may be a good thing to catch the reader more easily.
In the end I think this book will appeal to young readers . I could see myself as a child eating this up wishing to be in a secret society! It comes out on April 22.2025.
I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary eARC from Simon and Schuster through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
My rating system for Middle Grade and children’s books
⭐️ Significant problems and would never recommend to the audience.
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea but may have some appeal.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ an ok book which I wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend but it has some value for young readers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! I would recommend for the age or reading level appropriate for the book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Would recommend highly, especially to school programs as a wide spread reading opportunity.
So I’m a bit flummoxed on how to review this book as I don’t know how I feel about it because it is a middle grade book.
Overall I liked it and I think young readers will like the fun adventure the main character goes on.
It has the ability to possibly get young ones to be interesting in math and science to see where it can take them.
That being said a few things bothered me.
First, and I realize history isn’t always pleasant but the beginning of the book was terribly depressing. I know how I reacted to it as an adult so I can only imagine what an 11 year old mind may do with it.
Secondly, it’s historical fiction but the historical facts don’t make sense for the timeline. The author tries to cover some of the information where some of it could technically happen but not all. Particularly when she speaks about the car that Lainey remembers being a passenger in at 3 years old . Let’s set aside that she apparently was a super 3 year old with the language skills of a school ages child, the car described just wasn’t available in the year that she would have been talking about. Now I’m not going to give a break down (although I could and it doesn’t track) as the authors were clever not to give exact specifics but they did give enough where it doesn’t match up. Is a young reader going to notice? Of course not. But should we be having incorrect historical info in books shaping young minds?
The other fact that didn’t sit well historically was having a character be dyslexic. That fact is great! Wonderful connections for inclusivity. However, at the time in history the chances of her knowing she was dyslexic or having the name for it was really slim. Because while it was first named in research circles back in the early 1800’s, it wasn’t wide know as a diagnostic term until over 100 years later. The causal use of it takes one out of the history. It could easily be fixed in giving some other background of how young Sabrina came to know of this diagnosis. It would have made it fit better in history while giving a great lesson for the reader.
Lastly, while the book is rich with historical details and such it still reads like a modern story . That of course may be a good thing to catch the reader more easily.
In the end I think this book will appeal to young readers . I could see myself as a child eating this up wishing to be in a secret society! It comes out on April 22.2025.
I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary eARC from Simon and Schuster through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
My rating system for Middle Grade and children’s books
⭐️ Significant problems and would never recommend to the audience.
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea but may have some appeal.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ an ok book which I wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend but it has some value for young readers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! I would recommend for the age or reading level appropriate for the book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Would recommend highly, especially to school programs as a wide spread reading opportunity.
July 10, 2025
Lainey Phillips is an orphan in early 1900 England. Her orphanage is horrible, and the only bright spots are the math, science, and dictionaries donated, and little Nora. Lainey thinks things are looking up when a donor to the orphanage gives her a scholarship to Lovelace Academy, a school for girls that actually teaches maths and sciences. But after a few weeks Lainey is finding it just as hard to fit in there. She may not be starving and freezing any more, but she’s starved for friendship and understanding. When things get really bad, Lainey goes on what she believes is a secret mission to go help Mrs Einstein in Bern, Switzerland. But when she shows up Mrs. Einstein doesn’t seem to want her help. Is Lainey doomed to be a failure and reject all her life?
I had heard this was a mystery, but it really isn’t. It feels almost like a Dickensian journey of an orphan girl finding her way in life. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if it were inspired by Dickens…just with make the orphan a girl and highlight some educational inequalities and gender inequalities in the 1900s STEM world. It was ok, but the journey felt a bit meandering and wandering for most of the book. I liked that the end of the book allowed readers to get to know Albert Einstein’s first wife, Mileva. The back of the book says there are theories out there that she really did help her husband come up with his theory of relativity. Mileva had a physical disability and the book lets her brains shine through, showing physical disabilities don’t hold back brains at all.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: There’s a threat of beatings at the orphanage and on the streets in Bern. Two school girls slap each other.
Ethnic diversity: Lainey is part Jewish and English. A street boy she meets named Gem is Roma. Most other characters are white British or white German/Austrian/Swiss.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified.
Other: Homelessness among children of the early 1900s is shown. The orphanage owners are deceitful with donors and use all money for themselves; they are super stereotypical orphanage owners. In this story Einstein promises his wife credit with him on the paper about relativity but takes her name off. Prejudice against poor. Lainey meets a boy named Gem who steals to survive, and teaches some other street kids to play a dice gambling game to make money (with rigged dice). Both Lainey and Gem doubt if God cares about them; Lainey prays to her dead parents for guidance.
I had heard this was a mystery, but it really isn’t. It feels almost like a Dickensian journey of an orphan girl finding her way in life. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if it were inspired by Dickens…just with make the orphan a girl and highlight some educational inequalities and gender inequalities in the 1900s STEM world. It was ok, but the journey felt a bit meandering and wandering for most of the book. I liked that the end of the book allowed readers to get to know Albert Einstein’s first wife, Mileva. The back of the book says there are theories out there that she really did help her husband come up with his theory of relativity. Mileva had a physical disability and the book lets her brains shine through, showing physical disabilities don’t hold back brains at all.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: There’s a threat of beatings at the orphanage and on the streets in Bern. Two school girls slap each other.
Ethnic diversity: Lainey is part Jewish and English. A street boy she meets named Gem is Roma. Most other characters are white British or white German/Austrian/Swiss.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified.
Other: Homelessness among children of the early 1900s is shown. The orphanage owners are deceitful with donors and use all money for themselves; they are super stereotypical orphanage owners. In this story Einstein promises his wife credit with him on the paper about relativity but takes her name off. Prejudice against poor. Lainey meets a boy named Gem who steals to survive, and teaches some other street kids to play a dice gambling game to make money (with rigged dice). Both Lainey and Gem doubt if God cares about them; Lainey prays to her dead parents for guidance.
April 19, 2025
I liked it, but it felt a bit scattered. Because it took place across several settings, there wasn't much story at each one. I anticipated more of the story happening at the actual academy. It was a good middle grade though. Girls who are interested in math and science will appreciate the dedication to women in STEM.
June 30, 2025
Will Lainey be able to help Mileva Einstein and restore her honor?
Lainey Phillips is a 12-year-old orphan girl living in SHOC, an orphanage, in the year 1904. Ever since her parents died in a car accident, she has spent most of her life there. One day, during the Open House event, Lainey meets a woman named Lady Blunt, who offers her a scholarship to attend Lovelace Academy. This school focuses primarily on math and science for girls.
Life takes a turn for the better for Lainey, but she soon faces challenges. She struggles with an assignment about ancestry and gets into a fight with a classmate named Marjorie. With the help of her friend Sabrina, Lainey is then given the opportunity to travel to Bern, Switzerland, where she assists Mileva Maric Einstein, Albert Einstein's wife, with an important paper. This experience becomes crucial for Lainey as she works to prove that she belongs at Lovelace Academy.
As I previously mentioned, this captivating novel takes place in the early 1900s, just three years beyond the opulence of the Victorian Era. Through its pages, I uncovered a fascinating tidbit: Albert Einstein, one of the most outstanding scientists of all time, had a wife who played a pivotal role in shaping his most renowned theories, yet her extraordinary contributions remained shrouded in the shadows of history.
Lainey, a young woman wise beyond her years, navigates her challenges with a blend of intelligence and maturity that is truly remarkable. Lady Blunt, with her vibrant character and relentless spirit, constantly keeps me on edge, evoking a sense of admiration intertwined with intrigue. On the other hand, Majorie embodies the quintessential spoiled princess, and her self-indulgent antics are enough to send my blood boiling with frustration. Meanwhile, Mileva, despite the burdens of her household responsibilities weighing heavily upon her, shines with a fierce determination that inspires those around her.
This book is a treasure for anyone who revels in tales of intelligent individuals who boldly embrace the unknown and dare to carve their own paths.
Happy Reading, Paige ❤️ 📚
Thank you @SimonKids #simonkidscrew for sending me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Lainey Phillips is a 12-year-old orphan girl living in SHOC, an orphanage, in the year 1904. Ever since her parents died in a car accident, she has spent most of her life there. One day, during the Open House event, Lainey meets a woman named Lady Blunt, who offers her a scholarship to attend Lovelace Academy. This school focuses primarily on math and science for girls.
Life takes a turn for the better for Lainey, but she soon faces challenges. She struggles with an assignment about ancestry and gets into a fight with a classmate named Marjorie. With the help of her friend Sabrina, Lainey is then given the opportunity to travel to Bern, Switzerland, where she assists Mileva Maric Einstein, Albert Einstein's wife, with an important paper. This experience becomes crucial for Lainey as she works to prove that she belongs at Lovelace Academy.
As I previously mentioned, this captivating novel takes place in the early 1900s, just three years beyond the opulence of the Victorian Era. Through its pages, I uncovered a fascinating tidbit: Albert Einstein, one of the most outstanding scientists of all time, had a wife who played a pivotal role in shaping his most renowned theories, yet her extraordinary contributions remained shrouded in the shadows of history.
Lainey, a young woman wise beyond her years, navigates her challenges with a blend of intelligence and maturity that is truly remarkable. Lady Blunt, with her vibrant character and relentless spirit, constantly keeps me on edge, evoking a sense of admiration intertwined with intrigue. On the other hand, Majorie embodies the quintessential spoiled princess, and her self-indulgent antics are enough to send my blood boiling with frustration. Meanwhile, Mileva, despite the burdens of her household responsibilities weighing heavily upon her, shines with a fierce determination that inspires those around her.
This book is a treasure for anyone who revels in tales of intelligent individuals who boldly embrace the unknown and dare to carve their own paths.
Happy Reading, Paige ❤️ 📚
Thank you @SimonKids #simonkidscrew for sending me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 13, 2025
Three and a half stars.
A fun but uncohesive adventure with a worthy message. I liked the idea of the Lovelace Academy, and supporting women scientists and mathematicians, but the authors really did keep the details a secret, even from the readers.
Lainey was orphaned at the age of three in a car crash. Living in a Dickensian-style orphanage, she finds solace in books and science and math, which brings her to the attention of one of the benefactors, Lady Anne Blunt, who is also the daughter of Ada Lovelace. Lady Anne offers Lainey a scholarship to Lovelace Academy, an all girls' school. There's good food and clean clothes, and a wonderful library.
As another reviewer states, there's a Little Princess feel to this part of the story, with the wealthy students bullying Lainey. Lainey then decides she must go on a quest to redeem herself after a fight with her awful roommate, with directions to Mileva Einstein in Switzerland from a vague secret society that has something to do with supporting female scientists, and red cloaks.
With the help of Gen, a young scoundrel, and some Swiss street kids, Lainey eventually gets to Mileva and accomplishes her mission.
I found Lainey a bit of a wet sock, unable to explain herself and reliant too much on others. She also goes back on her decisions multiple times, and I honestly don't know why Gen would come back to find her after the second she bails on him.
Back at Lovelace Academy, for some reason everyone is unnecessarily coy about the secret society for far too long, and I actually began to wonder if Lainey had imagined everything due to a concussion!
Perhaps things will get more definitive in future Lovelace Academy adventures, but this one tried to be too many kinds of stories at once, with an exciting adventure and interesting details about the Einsteins, but not enough about the secret academy.
For middle schoolers interested in historical scientists.
A fun but uncohesive adventure with a worthy message. I liked the idea of the Lovelace Academy, and supporting women scientists and mathematicians, but the authors really did keep the details a secret, even from the readers.
Lainey was orphaned at the age of three in a car crash. Living in a Dickensian-style orphanage, she finds solace in books and science and math, which brings her to the attention of one of the benefactors, Lady Anne Blunt, who is also the daughter of Ada Lovelace. Lady Anne offers Lainey a scholarship to Lovelace Academy, an all girls' school. There's good food and clean clothes, and a wonderful library.
As another reviewer states, there's a Little Princess feel to this part of the story, with the wealthy students bullying Lainey. Lainey then decides she must go on a quest to redeem herself after a fight with her awful roommate, with directions to Mileva Einstein in Switzerland from a vague secret society that has something to do with supporting female scientists, and red cloaks.
With the help of Gen, a young scoundrel, and some Swiss street kids, Lainey eventually gets to Mileva and accomplishes her mission.
I found Lainey a bit of a wet sock, unable to explain herself and reliant too much on others. She also goes back on her decisions multiple times, and I honestly don't know why Gen would come back to find her after the second she bails on him.
Back at Lovelace Academy, for some reason everyone is unnecessarily coy about the secret society for far too long, and I actually began to wonder if Lainey had imagined everything due to a concussion!
Perhaps things will get more definitive in future Lovelace Academy adventures, but this one tried to be too many kinds of stories at once, with an exciting adventure and interesting details about the Einsteins, but not enough about the secret academy.
For middle schoolers interested in historical scientists.
March 21, 2025
I received an advanced reader copy of this book and before I had a chance to read it, my daughter devoured it. This is what she had to say about it:
As soon as I saw the title, I knew this was going to be an excellent book if it had anything to do with Ada Lovelace, and I was correct! The book follows an orphan named Lainey who receives the chance to escape from her cruel orphanage through a scholarship to the all girls school Lovelace Academy, invited by the headmistress, Ada Lovelace’s daughter. After her friend finds an envelope with information about a secret society dedicated to helping women of mathematics and science, in order to prove herself, Along the way her world becomes bigger than she could imagine from working with Mileva Edison and meeting a boy named Gen, who’s full of both tricks and kindness.
There are a lot of things I liked about this book!!!
I was really excited to see Mileva Einstein as a character. She was a very fascinating person who is overshadowed by her more famous husband in history.
I liked how one of the prominent side characters (Sabrina) is dyslexic, because while I don’t have it myself, I believe that showing that kind of thing in books that take place in all time periods is really important. Sabrina in general is such a fun and bouncy character, and I wish she had gotten more page time.
The writing is fantastic, the orphanage scenes made my heart ache, I felt Lainey’s panic, her grief she she felt those emotions. Also, it’s mentioned how even after she was safe at the school instead of at the orphanage, she didn’t just magically feel safe, and that felt realistic.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing | Aladdin and NetGalley for giving me an advance reader’s copy to review!
Selah said it was a 4.5 out of 5! I can't wait to finish it so we can discuss!
As soon as I saw the title, I knew this was going to be an excellent book if it had anything to do with Ada Lovelace, and I was correct! The book follows an orphan named Lainey who receives the chance to escape from her cruel orphanage through a scholarship to the all girls school Lovelace Academy, invited by the headmistress, Ada Lovelace’s daughter. After her friend finds an envelope with information about a secret society dedicated to helping women of mathematics and science, in order to prove herself, Along the way her world becomes bigger than she could imagine from working with Mileva Edison and meeting a boy named Gen, who’s full of both tricks and kindness.
There are a lot of things I liked about this book!!!
I was really excited to see Mileva Einstein as a character. She was a very fascinating person who is overshadowed by her more famous husband in history.
I liked how one of the prominent side characters (Sabrina) is dyslexic, because while I don’t have it myself, I believe that showing that kind of thing in books that take place in all time periods is really important. Sabrina in general is such a fun and bouncy character, and I wish she had gotten more page time.
The writing is fantastic, the orphanage scenes made my heart ache, I felt Lainey’s panic, her grief she she felt those emotions. Also, it’s mentioned how even after she was safe at the school instead of at the orphanage, she didn’t just magically feel safe, and that felt realistic.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing | Aladdin and NetGalley for giving me an advance reader’s copy to review!
Selah said it was a 4.5 out of 5! I can't wait to finish it so we can discuss!
July 7, 2025
I was pondering giving this book a 4-star, but since I couldn’t put the book down, finishing it in one night, I think it deserves 5. :) First off, I love that this book is based on facts, like all historical fiction books, but its basis revolves around strong and often overlooked women of history. The heart of the story is about Lainey, a 12-year-old orphan, who demonstrates great resilience in her journey. She is a great role model for perseverance and how a bit of luck can change the course of one’s life. You can read the book blurb about the particulars, but she is allowed to leave the orphanage to go to Lovelace Academy, where she finds herself in an unexpected quest to help the gifted mathematician Milva Maric, who is more commonly known as Albert Einstein’s wife.
It has a character who has dyslexia who is put in a pretty favorable light. I love books that have characters with differing abilities when it’s just part of who the character is and not their obstacle to overcome.
This book is perfect for 5th-8th grade. For ease of read, it has pretty good spacing and font size. The authors do a wonderful job of explaining vocabulary as the book progresses. The genre is historical fiction, but it’s a quest book with some suspense. You are actively rooting for Lainey as you read it. She’s a great character.
I saw that the author said book two is in the works! I was wondering about that because I have so many questions about what happens to some of the relationships that develop! I do love the epilogue though. It time hops for a wonderful ending. I’m interested to see how book two will fit in with that.
It has a character who has dyslexia who is put in a pretty favorable light. I love books that have characters with differing abilities when it’s just part of who the character is and not their obstacle to overcome.
This book is perfect for 5th-8th grade. For ease of read, it has pretty good spacing and font size. The authors do a wonderful job of explaining vocabulary as the book progresses. The genre is historical fiction, but it’s a quest book with some suspense. You are actively rooting for Lainey as you read it. She’s a great character.
I saw that the author said book two is in the works! I was wondering about that because I have so many questions about what happens to some of the relationships that develop! I do love the epilogue though. It time hops for a wonderful ending. I’m interested to see how book two will fit in with that.
July 27, 2025
Definitely aimed more to the younger audience, but I appreciated the insight from a girls of that era of the struggles of being a woman has in being accepted in the scientific/academic community.
Lainey has had a tough life and she's only 12. Her parents died when she was young and she was put in an orphanage that has little care for the children in its care. She has a love of learning and has read every book their meager library has to offer. She lucks out meeting a generous and influential benefactor at the annual meet and greet when the orphanage tries to collect donations from society. This benefactor happens to be Ada Lovelace's daughter who has started a school to educate girls - especially in academics and science.
While she is so grateful to be schooled and to live in such a fine establishment she does not fit in with the other girls especially her horrid roommate. Afraid she will be expelled after one of her roommate's lies, Lainey runs away on a secret mission to help Mileva Einstein write the scientific paper that she and her husband are writing.
Of course if you have read Benedict's early novel The Other Einstein you will have a better understanding of that story itself. Although I felt this story gave Mileva more sympathetic personality. Lainey really comprehends the fact that being a female scientist is doubly hard because in addition to the scientific work she is expected to do all the daily tasks to raise a child and take care of the house.
Lainey has had a tough life and she's only 12. Her parents died when she was young and she was put in an orphanage that has little care for the children in its care. She has a love of learning and has read every book their meager library has to offer. She lucks out meeting a generous and influential benefactor at the annual meet and greet when the orphanage tries to collect donations from society. This benefactor happens to be Ada Lovelace's daughter who has started a school to educate girls - especially in academics and science.
While she is so grateful to be schooled and to live in such a fine establishment she does not fit in with the other girls especially her horrid roommate. Afraid she will be expelled after one of her roommate's lies, Lainey runs away on a secret mission to help Mileva Einstein write the scientific paper that she and her husband are writing.
Of course if you have read Benedict's early novel The Other Einstein you will have a better understanding of that story itself. Although I felt this story gave Mileva more sympathetic personality. Lainey really comprehends the fact that being a female scientist is doubly hard because in addition to the scientific work she is expected to do all the daily tasks to raise a child and take care of the house.
May 18, 2025
Early 1900s. Since the age of 3, when her parents died in a car crash, Lainey has lived at an orphanage that Oliver Twist would find familiar. It's horrific, the kids are starving and overworked while the owners con money out of benefactors and keep all the money for themselves while punishing the children for things like smiling or knowing how to read. Lainey is really smart, and a brief interview with a benefactor at an annual gathering results in her earning a scholarship to a girls' academy, for girls who want to do something more with their lives than clean and have children. However, almost all of the other students are wealthy, and Lainey is completely out of place, and bullied by her sneering roommate. After one such interaction, when Lainey dares to defend herself, she's terrified she'll be thrown out of the school and sent to a workhouse. With a friend's help, she escapes and goes off to prove herself by helping the wife of Albert Einstein. It...doesn't go exactly to plan?
This is "A series of unfortunate events" without the humor. Every time you think Lainey has caught a break, her good luck is just bad luck deferred a little--it always comes back to bite her. Though the world-building was really well done, and the characters are distinctive, I just wasn't sure what the point of this was. I mean, Lainey learns that helping an intelligent woman might mean doing chores instead of doing some intellectual work yourself, but...? I guess this just wasn't the book for me. Thanks to Libro.FM for a free educator copy of the audiobook.
This is "A series of unfortunate events" without the humor. Every time you think Lainey has caught a break, her good luck is just bad luck deferred a little--it always comes back to bite her. Though the world-building was really well done, and the characters are distinctive, I just wasn't sure what the point of this was. I mean, Lainey learns that helping an intelligent woman might mean doing chores instead of doing some intellectual work yourself, but...? I guess this just wasn't the book for me. Thanks to Libro.FM for a free educator copy of the audiobook.
January 8, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Lainey Philipps is orphaned after her parents die in a motorcar accident, and she ends up at the Sycamore Home for Orphaned Children, run by the Holsapples. In the grand tradition of Victorian and Edwardian era orphanages, they exploit the children and conditions are terrible. When Lainey gets an offer from Lady Blunt to attend Lovelace Academy, it seems better than the alternative. She meets Sabrina, and is glad that the school has warm rooms, clean clothes, and actual learning. Sabrina tells her a bit about the Lovelace Society (the book begins with the death of Ada Lovelace), Lainey is all too eager to travel to Bern, Switzerland to help out Mileva Einstein. This doesn’t start well, since Mileva thinks that Lainey is an over privileged young lady, but the lady scientist eventually accepts her help. Lainey works with Gen and other street children, but eventually ends up back at the Academy, ready for her next adventure.
Readers who love this historical time period and harbor secret desires to become spies or scientists will enjoy this girl empowering adventure. Read alikes include Stratford’s The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency, Springer’s Enola Holmes mysteries, Wood’s The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Primavera’s Ms. Rapscott's Girls and Carlson’s The World's Greatest Detective. One of my favorites is the darker, more Young Adult series by Ying S. Lee, The Agency: A Spy in the House.
Lainey Philipps is orphaned after her parents die in a motorcar accident, and she ends up at the Sycamore Home for Orphaned Children, run by the Holsapples. In the grand tradition of Victorian and Edwardian era orphanages, they exploit the children and conditions are terrible. When Lainey gets an offer from Lady Blunt to attend Lovelace Academy, it seems better than the alternative. She meets Sabrina, and is glad that the school has warm rooms, clean clothes, and actual learning. Sabrina tells her a bit about the Lovelace Society (the book begins with the death of Ada Lovelace), Lainey is all too eager to travel to Bern, Switzerland to help out Mileva Einstein. This doesn’t start well, since Mileva thinks that Lainey is an over privileged young lady, but the lady scientist eventually accepts her help. Lainey works with Gen and other street children, but eventually ends up back at the Academy, ready for her next adventure.
Readers who love this historical time period and harbor secret desires to become spies or scientists will enjoy this girl empowering adventure. Read alikes include Stratford’s The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency, Springer’s Enola Holmes mysteries, Wood’s The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Primavera’s Ms. Rapscott's Girls and Carlson’s The World's Greatest Detective. One of my favorites is the darker, more Young Adult series by Ying S. Lee, The Agency: A Spy in the House.
April 26, 2025
A heartfelt thank you to @authormariebenedict, @courtneysheinmel, and @simon.audio for the #gifted audiobook!
In this captivating historical novel, we meet Lainey Philipps, who has called the Sycamore Home for Orphaned Children her home since the age of three. When she receives an invitation to the prestigious Lovelace Academy, her journey into the world of elite students begins, alongside the struggle to truly belong. In a bid to prove herself, Lainey embarks on an extraordinary trip to Switzerland to meet a groundbreaking female scientist. With the aid of a mysterious boy, she prepares for a pivotal test at the home of Mileva Maric, who was not only a brilliant scientist but also Albert Einstein's wife.
Marie Benedict masterfully brings to light the untold stories of women in history who have made remarkable contributions to society. This novel is a beautifully crafted tale that balances adventure and emotion, and a sweet character who captures your heart. The engaging narrative also highlights the essential representation of women in STEM fields.
This book is a celebration of the empowerment of women in a world that often overlooks their potential.
The narrator did a superb job of bringing the characters to life and the emotions of Lainey as she navigates life without her parents.
I wholeheartedly recommend it to young readers who cherish historical fiction and strong female role models. Don't miss out—this inspiring book is available now!
In this captivating historical novel, we meet Lainey Philipps, who has called the Sycamore Home for Orphaned Children her home since the age of three. When she receives an invitation to the prestigious Lovelace Academy, her journey into the world of elite students begins, alongside the struggle to truly belong. In a bid to prove herself, Lainey embarks on an extraordinary trip to Switzerland to meet a groundbreaking female scientist. With the aid of a mysterious boy, she prepares for a pivotal test at the home of Mileva Maric, who was not only a brilliant scientist but also Albert Einstein's wife.
Marie Benedict masterfully brings to light the untold stories of women in history who have made remarkable contributions to society. This novel is a beautifully crafted tale that balances adventure and emotion, and a sweet character who captures your heart. The engaging narrative also highlights the essential representation of women in STEM fields.
This book is a celebration of the empowerment of women in a world that often overlooks their potential.
The narrator did a superb job of bringing the characters to life and the emotions of Lainey as she navigates life without her parents.
I wholeheartedly recommend it to young readers who cherish historical fiction and strong female role models. Don't miss out—this inspiring book is available now!
March 31, 2025
This is Marie Benedict's first YA novel, and she has some help from her experienced co-author Courtney Sheinmel. Lainey Philipps is an orphan with a strong mind and a great interest in math. This interest brings her to the attention of the headmistress of the Lovelace Academy, a private all-girls school that emphasizes math and science during a time when woman and girls were not expected to have such interests. The founder and headmistress of the academy named it for her mother, Ada Lovelace, the daughter of Lord Byron and the first woman to create computer language alongside Charles Babbage. Ms. Benedict is again combining truth and fiction in a first-rate historical novel for a younger audience. She even includes information about Mileva Einstein, the subject of one of her previous adult historical novels. The only problem I had with this story is all the teenage angst that accompanies it, but then, that should be expected. I am not the target audience for this book, but those who are will find a terrific story and strong characters. Thanks to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, and Aladdin for providing an ARC.
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