A Girl From the Home

About the Book

The author spent her childhood in an orphanage and eight foster homes. Speaking through the voice of her childhood, she draws the reader into a fascinating account of life in the orphanage and each foster home. The orphanage was not a gloomy Dickensian institution, but a castle with wonderful facilities and a remarkable cast of characters. Life in the foster homes is the dark side of the story. During the Great Depression, beginning in 1929, many families took orphan children into their homes as a means of economic survival. The author was one of these. In each home she tried hard to be accepted as a member of the family, but came to realize that she was an outsider, a "girl from the home." The plight of homeless or unwanted children has recently raised a controversial question: would unwanted children be better off in orphanages than in foster homes? The author felt motivated, even obligated, to add her voice to this public forum. In the book, the "girl from the Home" considers her options, makes a decision, and defends her choice.

About the Author

Muriel Fox tells the story of her childhood years in an orphanage and eight foster homes. She reaches back to the year when her story begins, 1925, when she was seven years old. She relives the events and presents them as she perceived them in childhood, speaking with a child's voice. Her material is drawn exclusively from her life experience. During the Great Depression, beginning in 1929, many families took orphan children into their homes as a means of economic survival. The author was one of these children. In each home, she tried to be accepted as a member of the family, but came to realize that she was an outsider, a girl from the Home. In recent years, the plight of homeless or unwanted children has brought forth a controversial suggestion: Perhaps unwanted children would be better off in orphanages than in private foster homes. The author felt motivated, even obligated, to add her voice to this public forum. She hopes that her book will offer some insight into the thoughts and feelings of today's orphaned, homeless, and unwanted children who find themselves powerless in the hands of those who make the decisions that define their lives. Ms. Fox grew up, married and had children of her own. Always a writer and an artist, she returned to college in the 1960's, earning both her undergraduate and Masters degrees in English literature. Her Masters thesis was published as an article in the Emily Dickinson Bulletin. She then pursued a career as a high school English teacher, teaching literature, English as a second language and creative writing. In addition, she has conducted workshops in "Understanding Poetry" in libraries and community centers. A volume of her poetry is soon to be published.