The Irresistible Henry House by Lisa Grunwald (#41)

I love this book! Henry House is a "practice baby", an orphan who is raised by various home economics students in the 1950's. This novel is based on a real situation; orphan babies sometimes actually spent their early months with college students who learned about child care by practicing on them. Usually the practice babies were adopted by eager couples after their time in the practice house was complete. Henry's case was different because he was kept by the middle aged supervisor at the house, a woman who had suffered many disappointments but puts her hopes on this baby. As time goes on, Henry goes through many changes and setbacks; it is fascinating to see how his life evolves as he becomes a young man.