An Invisible Thread: The True Story of an 11-Year-Old Panhandler, a Busy Sales Executive, and an Unlikely Meeting with Destiny

The book an Invisible Thread was written by Laura Schroff. This novel is a New York Times bestseller and tells the true story of a long-lasting friendship. Schroff formerly worked with many companies like USA Today, and People Magazine and grew up in Long Island, New York and currently lives in Westchester NY.Laura Schroff was walking through the busy streets of Manhattan when she passed Maurice. He was begging for money and she decided to take him to lunch at Mcdonalds. This was the start of a long friendship that would change both of their lives and make them better people. Maurice hides the true terrors of his world, including his drug addicted family and his dangerous home life. Schroff continues to support him for years becoming almost a second mother to him. They manage to keep their friendship strong even though they come from two different worlds. A running theme throughout the book is that no one never knows how you will affect someone's life and how someone's influence can change the future. By writing this book, she shows that an upbringing doesn’t have to define someone as a person. Schroff"s influence on Maurice helped him understand that he didn’t have to turn out like the rest of his family by going not going into the drug business.I enjoyed this book because it was very honest and gives an insight on poorer communities of NY. The book was happy for the most part and a good read. I like how throughout the book you can see Maurice and Schroff progress into different people. Despite the good qualities of the book, a flaw would be that she talks too much about herself. She should have tried to show both perspectives more.I would recommend this nonfiction novel to teens and young adults. It provides insight of those less fortunate and what their lives can entail. I would not recommend this book to someone with a problem with the topics of physical abuse and drug abuse.

I feel like the book wasn't written in a way to really illustrate the dynamics of the friendship she had with Maurice but more about what SHE did FOR Maurice. It was almost written in a way that was self serving.I wanted more.... more substance.I feel like everything was just glazed over and made to look pretty for the most part.When she met her now husband.... man, she just dropped Maurice and justified her actions for the rest of the book.... noooo, you abandoned him just like everyone else in his life had. You did exactly what he was afraid you would do and what his teacher warned you about... you ABANDONED HIM....He was your shiny new toy, or your new pet.... or he filled the void you were missing.....until something better came along.... and then when that disappeared... ohhhhh Maurice is back and now everything is a okay again.Kudos to Maurice for making something of himself in spite of being tossed around his whole life. Shame on the author for being a self serving _______ ( just what Maurice's grandmother called her in the beginning)Perhaps Laura should have gotten with Maurice for them to both write this book.....maybe it wouldn't have been painted with such a broad stroke of LOOK AT ME, LOOK HOW GREAT I AM HELPING A POOR BLACK BOY

Incredibly moving. The novel goes so much deeper than just the relationship that developed between Laura and Maurice - this is about their own individual journeys - and despite coming from different means - had so many similarities. Life can be hard - at the end of the day we all come with baggage - and while painful the journey of life is how to overcome this (whatever parts that we can). Finding a way to forgive those around you who may have done wrong brings a great deal of peace as well. Having grown up with an emotionally abusive parent - and having to come to terms with that / forge an adult relationship and carry on - this hits home in so many ways. Regardless of your baggage - you will get something incredibly positive from this read.

Two stories in one. Maurice's story left me with hope for the hopeless, proving that love does overcome even the most destructive patterns of abuse, neglect, addiction and poverty.Laura's own childhood was both "normal, middle class, American dream," and at the same time behind closed doors, terrifying, guilt-ridden, and filled with shame and secrecy. Telling her own story was an act of courage by both her and her siblings. By bringing into light the truth of the suffering that all family members endure when a member struggles with the debilitating disease of alcoholism, she reminds us that addiction has a ripple effect and it does not discriminate. No one escapes unharmed, no matter age, race, education, background, income or social standing. Despite or because of this she is drawn to Maurice, befriending an 11 year old pan handler. Because Laura follows her heart we are left with a sense of hope that reminds us the cycle of addiction and poverty can be reversed despite the bleakest of circumstances. And even children who are neglected and abused can become hero's. We can't save the entire homeless population, but by paying attention to just one person in need, we can change the course of generations to come. This story would have made great fictional reading, but the blessing is that it's true and was shared with us.

I overheard a senior in high school lauding the wonderfulness of this book. I read reviews of books when Iam deciding what I want to read next or put it in my reading cue. Hearing the praise from a student surprised me. She said it was required reading. After 45 years in education, I took her advice. What a well written, lovely story about a relationship between a successful older woman and a young man approaching his teens. NOT A SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP AT ALL. It grabs your heart and runs with it. I am so glad I listen so well!!!

As this happens to be a true story it's even more poignant and absolutely impossible to put down! It tells of the unlikely friendship that develops between a hungry young black kid on the streets of New York and a busy female executive. Don't even hesitate..buy this book, you'll be so pleased you did.

What a moving story and everyone I've shared it with has loved it too.

Truth can be stranger than fiction and this is a good example of this in an inspiring story.

A well written memoir telling the story of two people who each impacted each others lives. It highlights how little we actually take notice of our surroundings on a typical day to day basis.

Interesting read