The Secrets of Lovelace Academy - by Marie Benedict & Courtney Sheinmel (Hardcover)

About the Book

Twelve-year-old orphan Lainey attends a prestigious boarding school with dreams of a new start, but a chain of events leads her to Switzerland in search of a trailblazing female scientist.

Book Synopsis

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 Quotes

"Spirited third-person narration and resourceful, kindhearted characters--some of whom are based off crucial historical figures in STEM--champion empathy and perseverance while spotlighting challenges faced by women in the field." --Publishers Weekly

"A captivating & powerful story that will not only make you smarter, but will also break open your heart."--New York Times bestselling author Wendy Mass

Move over Harry, Oliver, and Annie. There's a new bright feisty orphan in town named Lainey who will steal your heart and keep you turning the pages. Marie Benedict and Courtney Sheinmel deliver a charming tale weaving in historical events, epic adventure and a coming-of-age story that readers will devour. Please, madams, I want some more.--Gayle Forman, bestselling author of Not Nothing and After Life

"A charming, tenderhearted tale about the wonders of science and friendship, how we each have something unique to contribute to the whole, and that sometimes our most meaningful discoveries come from our deepest wounds."--Libba Bray, New York Times bestselling author

"A heartfelt adventure that explores the ways in which we all leave our mark on history and have the power to shape our future."--Kalyn Josephson, New York Times bestselling author of Ravenfall

About the Author

Marie Benedict is a lawyer with more than ten years of experience as a litigator at two of the country's premier law firms. She found her calling unearthing the hidden historical stories of women. Her mission is to excavate from the past the most important, complex, and fascinating women of history and bring them into the light of present day where readers can finally perceive the breadth of their contributions as well as the insights they bring to modern day issues. Marie is the author of many books for adults including the New York Times bestseller The First Ladies. The Secrets of Lovelace Academy, written with Courtney Sheinmel, is her first book for kids. Visit her online at AuthorMarieBenedict.com.

Courtney Sheinmel is a chocolate-lover, mac and cheese expert, mom to Archer, and the author of nearly thirty books for kids and teens, including the acclaimed Stella Batts and My Pet Slime series for young readers. Her book She Persisted: Helen Keller was part of Chelsea Clinton's She Persisted series. Courtney received a National Scholastic Educator Award for her work as a writing instructor at the nonprofit Writopia Lab. Visit her online at CourtneySheinmel.com.