Ming and Ada Spark the Digital Age (The Girls Who Changed the World #4)
By Jackie French
Reviewed by Jamie Willis
Jackie French AM is one of Australia’s most popular authors, having written more than 140 books spanning all reading ages and genres. She was the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2014/15 and the 2015 Senior Australian of the Year.
In the fourth book in her best-selling historical time-slip series about girls who’ve changed the world, History’s sister Herstory sends Ming Qong to work as a maid in an isolated English mansion in 1829. At first, Ming isn’t sure whether the girl who will change history is the African maid, Hepzibah, who is teaching herself to read and dreams of freeing slaves, or the mistress of the house, Ada, daughter of Lord Byron, who is bedridden and temporarily blind from the measles and who loves mathematics.
Ming helps both girls in their everyday lives. When Hepzibah is accused of theft, Ming searches for the culprit to help clear her name, endearing Ming to the housekeeper, Mrs Warren. And when Ada is suffering due to the doctor’s prescribed diet of gruel, Ming suggests Ada instead eat nourishing food, like eggs on toast, beef tea and lemon-flavoured water, which improves her condition and gains Ming respect from Mrs Blossom, the Cook. The book pays particular focus on the unusual foods eaten by servants in Victorian England, which will intrigue young readers, and possibly make them hungry!
Jackie French’s inclusion of historical details makes Ming’s experience as a servant captivating. As a scullery maid, Ming works long hours scrubbing dishes with no taps in sight, and experiences racism from the other staff. Then, as Ada’s personal maid, she is at first treated as an inferior, and later almost as a friend, as Ada appreciates Ming’s intellect and uncommon ability to read.
The reader knows which girl will change history from the book’s title, however Ming discovers Ada becomes Ada Lovelace at the end of the book. As explained in the Author Notes, Ada was believed to be the first person to develop the process of looping used by modern computer programs and possibly the first to discuss and write about coding.
The Girls Who Changed the World series offers fascinating insights into girls who’ve changed history and will be loved by readers 8+. Even if children aren’t into historical fiction, they are likely to become fans after reading these books, and may also become inspired to change the world!
Jackie French AM is one of Australia’s most popular authors, having written more than 140 books spanning all reading ages and genres. She was the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2014/15 and the 2015 Senior Australian of the Year.
