“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…”
From the Publisher: “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…”
More info About the Authors:
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.
Arts & Lectures Don’t miss out: Marie Benedict and Courtney Sheinmel will be visiting Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures on Tuesday, April 22nd at 7pm!
“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 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
“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
Both of us are “recovering attorneys.” Can you talk a little bit about your decision to leave law firm life and become a writer?
While I enjoyed the study of law, I realized, almost from the start, that the practice of law was not my passion. Since middle school, I’d been fascinated with the hidden stories and different perspectives lurking in the dusty corners of history, and that subject continued to call to me as a young attorney. Quite unexpectedly, at the end of a long day of lawyering, I had an idea for a novel, and after I finally finished that book many years later, I left the law behind and turned my attention to historical fiction.
What was your path to publication?
Many years, long hours writing, an abiding passion for history, a mission to excavate from the past its forgotten women and bring them into the light of modern day, and a fortuitous introduction to my wonderful agent.
I’m sure you know that THE OTHER EINSTEIN is one of my favorites of your books. What inspired you to tell Mileva’s story?
I first learned about Mileva Maric Einstein while I was reading a children’s biography about Albert Einstein with my son — who is now studying to be an astrophysicist! — when he was in elementary school. There were a couple of sentences about brilliant young Mileva, one of the first women to attend a university physics program, and the work she did with Albert Einstein. When I read that Mileva and Albert were married during the time period he published certain of the most ground-breaking physics theories, I began researching her. And I discovered that she was no mere footnote in Albert’s life; her contributions were crucial and her story deserved to be told.
What made you want to revisit Mileva’s story for a middle grade audience?
When I am talking with readers, I am often asked whether I would ever adapt my historical fiction for younger audiences, so that they too can learn about important women whose lives and legacies have been lost to the past. When I met you — my wonderful co-writer! — we started brainstorming about ways to make Mileva’s story engaging for middle grade readers, and we haven’t looked back!
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Write! When I started drafting my very first novel, I didn’t have extensive experience writing fiction. Legal briefs, yes, novels, no. But I decided that I would do my utmost with the story and finish it, no matter how long it took or how difficult it was to squeeze in the writing during my long days as a lawyer. I am so grateful I made that commitment to complete my first novel, because it was the first step on the path I’m on today.
Can you talk about any future projects?
We’re cooking up something special to follow-up our first Lovelace collaboration and can’t wait to tell you about it!
Don’t miss Marie Benedict and Courtney Sheinmel in conversation at Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures on Tuesday, April 22nd at 7pm!
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