An Invisible Thread

by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski

The book tells the true story of the unlikely friendship between Laura Schroff, a successful advertising
executive for USA Today, and Maurice, eleven-year-old African American kid on the verge of
homelessness whom she met on the streets of downtown New York City on Labor Day in 1986.

The story begins when Laura was on her way to work and passed by Maurice on the stree. He asked her
for money, but she initially brushes him off and continued her way. For the rest of the day, she found
herself thinking about Maurice.

The next day, Laura decided to go back to the same spot where she had met Maurice and offer to take
him to lunch. With this action she began a friendship that would continue for the next 30 years. Their
relationship deepened and she became a mentor to him, providing him with food, clothes and a
listening ear. She helped him to stay out of trouble with the law. She also encouraged him to read and
study, and she helped him with his schoolwork. Further, she took him to the library, museums and
cultural events.

As Maurice grows older, he faces many challenges, including poverty, violence, and the criminal justice
system. Despite these obstacles, he was determined to improve his life and with the help of Laura, and
he was able to do so. He graduated high school and went on to college.

Despite their vastly different backgrounds, Laura and Maurice formed a strong bond. Laura became a
mother figure to him. Over the years, their relationship deepened and evolved, and she helped him to
overcome many obstacles and achieve his dreams. He went on to graduate high school and enroll in
college.

However, their relationship was not without its challenges. Maurice struggled with poverty, violence and
loss of loved ones. Laura also had to deal with her own personal struggles, such as her father's death
and her mother's illness. But through it all, they remained committed to each other, and their friendship
proved to be a source of strength and inspiration for both of them.

The book is a powerful story of the transformative power of kindness and the strength of the human
spirit. It shows how one small act of kindness can change a person's life for the better, and how the
bond between two people can transcend their differences and endure for decades. It's a heartwarming,
inspiring and uplifting story that will leave the readers feeling hopeful and grateful for the power of
human connections.

Throughout the book, the authors explore themes of poverty, mentorship, and the power of human
connection. The book is a heartwarming and inspiring story that illustrates the impact one person can
have on another's life, and the positive difference that can be made when people open their hearts and
reach out to others.
 Summary of Chapter 1

In Chapter 1, Laura Schroff describes her busy and successful life as an advertising executive in New York
City. One day, as she is rushing to work, she encounters a young panhandler named Maurice on the
street corner. Despite her initial reluctance, she decides to buy him a sandwich and they starta
conversation.

Read Chapter 1 and answer the following questions:

1. What is the main character's profession in the first chapter of An Invisible Thread?

Answer: An advertising executive.

2. Where does the main character first encounter Maurice?

Answer: On the street corner downtown New York city.

3. What is the main character's initial reaction to Maurice?

Answer: Reluctance.

4. What does the main character do for Maurice in their first encounter?

Answer: She buys him a meal.

5. What is the significance of the title of the chapter?

Answer: The title of the chapter "An Invisible Thread" refers to the unbreakable bond that forms
between the author, Laura and Maurice, the young panhandler she meets on the street corner.

6. What does Laura learn about Maurice in the first chapter?

Answer: In the first chapter, Laura does not learn much about Maurice, but she is intrigued by him.

7. What is the theme of the first chapter?

Answer: The theme of the first chapter is the unlikely friendship that forms between Laura, a
successful advertising executive and Maurice, a young panhandler.

8. How does the author describe the setting of the first chapter?

Answer: The author describes the setting of the first chapter as the busy streets of New York City in
1986.

9. Why was the Laura initially hesitant to stop and talk to Maurice?

Answer: Because she was rushed, and she hds a busy work schedule.

10. How does Laura feel after her first encounter with Maurice?

Answer: She feels intrigued by him.

1. "It was just a small act of kindness, a gesture of humanity"

This quote illustrates the small, yet powerful impact that a simple act of kindness can have. It also
highlights the theme of humanity and compassion that runs throughout the book.

2. "I was a busy woman, with a demanding job and a full life, but something about this child caught my
attention"

This quote showcases the theme of the book, the unlikely friendship between the author and
Maurice, and how it develops despite the author's busy schedule.

3. "He looked up at me with such hope in his eyes, and I felt something shift inside me"

This quote illustrates the emotional impact that Maurice has on Laura, and how she begins to
develop a sense of compassion

Summary of Chapter 2

In Chapter 2, Laura continues to encounter Maurice on the street corner and they begin to develop a
friendship. She learns more about his difficult life growing up in the foster care system and how he
ended up living on the streets. Despite her busy work schedule, she begins to make a point of stopping
to talk with him and buy him meals whenever she sees him. Laura also starts to realize that by helping
Maurice, she is also helping herself.

Read Chapter 2 and answer the following questions:

1. What is the main event that happens in the second chapter of An Invisible Thread?
Answer: The main event is the continued development of the unlikely friendship between Laura and
Maurice as they begin to encounter each other more frequently.

2. How does Laura feel about Maurice in the second chapter?

3. What does Laura learn about Maurice's background in the second chapter?
Answer: In the second chapter, Laura learns about his difficult life growing up in the foster care
system and how he ended up living on the streets.

4. How does Laura's relationship with Maurice change in the second chapter?
Answer: It changes from one of initial reluctance to one of compassion and care as they continue to
talk more frequently.

5. How does Laura help Maurice in the second chapter?

7. Why does Laura's perspective on Maurice change in the second chapter from one of initial
reluctance to one of compassion and care?
Answer: It changes because she begins to learn more about his difficult background.

8. How does Laura's involvement with Maurice affect her?

9. What does Laura learn about herself in the second chapter?

10. How does the second chapter set up the rest of the book?
Answer: By introducing the unlikely friendship between Laura and Maurice and showing how it
develops despite Laura's busy schedule. It also shows how their relationship becomes more
meaningful and deeper over time, which will be further explored in the rest of the book.

Comment on the following quotes:

1. "I learned that sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things a man needs to
believe in the most. That people are basically good; that honor, courage, and virtue mean
everything; that power and money, money and power mean nothing; that good always triumphs
over evil; and I want you to remember this, that love... true love never dies. You remember that,
boy. You remember that. Doesn't matter if it's true or not. You see, a man should believe in those
things, because those are the things worth believing in."

This quote highlights the importance of belief and the power of love. It suggests that even if certain
things may not be true, believing in them can give a person strength and purpose.

2. "For me, the invisible thread is about the power of human connections, the connections that tie us
together, even when we're not aware of them. Sometimes these connections are positive and life-
affirming, and sometimes they're negative and destructive. But either way, they shape our lives in
ways that we can't even begin to understand."

This quote emphasizes the idea of an "invisible thread" that connects people in ways that may not be
immediately apparent. It suggests that these connections can have a profound impact on our lives, both
positive and negative.
3. "The invisible thread is the one that connects us all. It's the one that links us to our past, to our
present, and to our future. It's the one that reminds us that we're not alone, that we're all
connected in some way, and that we all have a purpose."

This quote highlights the idea of an "invisible thread" that connects all people and suggests that this
thread can link us to our past, present, and future, and serves as a reminder that we are not alone. It
also implies that everyone has a purpose in life.