An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski - ADVISABLE

 

An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski, 200 pages. NON-FICTION Simon and Schuster, 2011. $18.  

Content: Language: G; Mature Content: PG; Violence: G.  

BUYING ADVISORY: MS – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Maurice is an 11yo who lives in an apartment with his mother, sisters, grandmother and sometimes his uncles. Although he knows he is loved, his basic needs are often unmet including food, clothing, and an education.  One day while Maurice is begging for money on the street, so he can buy food, he meets a businesswoman named Laura.  Laura originally passes by Maurice, but then backtracks and decides to take Maurice for a burger at McDonald’s.  That one-time lunch turns into many years of friendship for Laura and Maurice.  

This is a young adult adaptation of the original An Invisible Thread for adults.  I have read both versions and this one is written in a younger voice with the emphasis on Maurice’s side of the story.  Although Maurice’s mother is around, she suffers from mental illness or drug abuse which isn’t clarified, but Maurice emphasizes that he knows his mother loves him.  The beginning of Laura and Maurice’s story has more detail and then it felt rushed when Maurice was an older teen.  There are pictures included at the back.  I enjoyed the book and was compelled to read and I think this is a good book to talk about social issues like homelessness and living with adults that aren't functioning.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson