2011 Holiday Gift Guide: Book Review & Giveaway – An Invisible Thread

An Invisible Thread, written by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski, is the true story of how a chance meeting between an 11-year-old panhandler and a business executive changes the lives of both individuals for the rest of their lives. Laura Schroff, a New York advertising executive, passes Maurice on the street as he is asking for money. She decides to turn around and she asks to take the boy to McDonald’s for lunch. This lunch then leads to weekly lunches and ultimately a lifelong friendship. Maurice is a young boy who comes from a drug-addicted family and is essentially taking care of himself. This book tells their story and how two people from completely different worlds are able to build a strong relationship and learn from each other.

An excerpt from the book:

“Excuse me lady, do you have any spare change? I am hungry.”

When I heard him, I didn’t really hear him. His words were part of the clatter, like a car horn or someone yelling for a cab. They were, you could say, just noise—the kind of nuisance New Yorkers learn to tune out. So I walked right by him, as if he wasn’t there.

But then, just a few yards past him, I stopped.

And then—and I’m still not sure why I did this—I came back.”

My thoughts on the book:

I have included this book in my 2011 Holiday Gift Guide because it is hands down one of the best books I have read this year. I was glued to the book. My heart tore for Maurice’s living conditions and the manner in which he needed to care for himself. I was in awe of Laura Schroff’s caring and nurturing heart and the fact that she integrated Maurice into her family. This book reminded me very much of the movie “The Blind Side”. It is simply an amazing story and I am strongly encouraging people to read it. I know you will love it as much as I do.

More about the authors:

Laura Schroff is a former advertising executive who has worked with several major media companies, including Time Inc. and Conde Nast. Born and raised on Long Island, Laura was part of the advertising team that made USA Today a successful national newspaper. Before helping launch three of the most successful start-ups in Time Inc. history—InStyle, Teen People, and People StyleWatch—she was also the New York Division Manager at People magazine. Laura has also been the New York Ad Manager at Ms. magazine and Associate Publisher at Brides. Laura loves spending time at her condo on Long Island and visiting with her family in New York and Florida. She lives in New York City with her feisty poodle Coco.

Alex Tresniowski is a writer living and working in New York City. He has been a senior writer for People Magazine since 1998, writing numerous cover stories and focusing on human interest, crime, and sports. He is also the author of six books, including 2005’s The Vendetta, a true crime story that was purchased by Universal Pictures and used as a basis for the 2009 Johnny Depp movie Public Enemies.

I am so pleased to announce that I have one copy of An Invisible Thread to give away to one Tidbits From A Mom reader! Please complete the Rafflecopter form below to enter!



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*Disclaimer: I did not receive monetary compensation for this post. I received a free book for the purpose of this review. The opinions expressed here are my own.