LUCY FOREVER, MISS ROSETREE, AND THE STOLEN BABY

Lucy Forever, a.k.a. Lucy Childs, and Miss Rosetree (Rosie Treeman) are the sixth-graders who run Shrinks, Incorporated, a psychiatric office for their 468 imaginary cases. Whereas Rosie is one of ten children, Lucy is an only child, and she wants nothing more than to have a baby sister. Lucy's parents are unable to have more children, but Mrs. Childs tells Lucy that she would be happy to oblige if some baby fell into their laps and, amazingly enough, one does. Dr. and Mrs. Childs are prepared to pay to privately adopt the baby, who has been abandoned by her mother, but they don't count on the trouble that ensues. First the baby, and then Lucy, is kidnapped and held for ransom. Luckily, Miss Rosetree comes to the rescue and, thanks to her (and a few other people involved), Lucy is saved and given what she desires most—her very own baby sister. A dull but serviceable sequel to Lucy Forever & Miss Rosetree, Shrinks (1987). (Fiction. 8+)