Family is an important and significant influence in every child's life, it provides a sense of safety, support, belonging and love. Without family a kid's upbringing can be empty and lacking with a sense of insecurity and loneliness. Maloney shows in ‘A Bridge to Wiseman's Cove’ the impact of a lack of family in Carl and Harley's life. In the Novel, we also see the importance of work in Carl's life, it gives him a sense of self worth and confidence. The novel displays the necessity for work and family in Carl and Harley's life, through the good changes throughout the book in their well being.