The Irresistible Henry House

I discovered this book while driving home from school and listening to NPR (National Public Radio) a few months ago.  Another author was reviewing this book and the plot sounded unlike anything I had ever heard before!  The story is set on a college campus in the late 1940's where children from orphanages are raised as "practice babies" by women in the Home Economics department.  After a few years of living in the practice house with 10 different mothers, the practice babies are either sent back to the orphanage or are adopted by a family.  Although this sounds completely made up, it is based on a true story! This happened at universities all over the country for many years.

Although I am less than a quarter through the book, I am hooked and can't wait to see what happens to Henry House as he grows up.  How will living in the practice house, with so many different mothers, and no real stability change him?