An Invisible Thread
By Laura Schroff and Alex
Tresniowski
Hand out group cards after everyone is settled in-
Three groups of 4-5
Ice Breaker
– every group will have one but read it out to all –
say they have’ til about 8PM to
discuss all three questions
At the beginning of the book, the title is
explained by an ancient Chinese proverb. “An
invisible thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time,
place, and circumstance. The thread may
stretch or tangle. But it will never break.” Who do your invisible threads
connect you to?
Group 1
1. Why do you
think Maurice throws Laura’s business card away? How does trust influence the early stages of
their friendship? What about later in
their relationship?
2. In a relationship based on trust why did
Maurice lie about why he wanted $300?
Group 2
1. Why is Laura so adamant about obtaining
permission from Maurice’s mother so he can attend the Mets game yet doesn’t
attempt to do this for the interview with his teacher?
2. Laura was initially careful to maintain
boundaries between her and Maurice, ensuring that she was a friend to him and
nothing more. At what point do you think
their relationship changed from a friendship to something more akin to a mother
and a son?
Group 3
1. What kind of role does love and affection
play in Maurice's life and in Laura’s life?
2. Knowing the
area and conditions Maurice lived in, why did she buy him an expensive bike? Was she not concerned about it being stolen? Given what you know about Maurice’s street
smarts, do you think the bike was really stolen or did Maurice sell it?
Gather everyone back together and have the groups go through their
questions and their discussion. After
each group presents ask for general discussion on their questions.
Group Questions
1. An Invisible Thread introduces readers to some of the realities of
poor families living in large metropolitan cities. How would you characterize Maurice’s family
life? How would you characterize Laura’s
family life?
2. Laura’s
family life growing up had a significant impact on her and her siblings,
especially in terms of what they wanted for their own families. Based on
Laura’s descriptions, how would you characterize the type of live each of her
siblings chose to live?
3. Laura
writes that, “Sometimes we are drawn to that which is exactly the same”
alluding to the impact that familiarity can have on one’s comfort, regardless
of how bad the conditions may be. How
does Laura’s life stray from this idea? How does she embrace what is different? What about Maurice’s life?
4. Rituals are
an important element of An Invisible Thread. What were the daily rituals in this book and
how were they significant? Do you think rituals
are important in everyone’s lives?
5. How did you
interpret Michael’s initial rejection of Maurice? What role did this rejection play in Laura’s
decision to divorce him?
6. Do you
think that this book was completely accurate in its portrayal of Laura and
Maurice’s relationship?
7. Is there
anything in this book that wasn’t covered that you would like to discuss?
8. Fast round
– What was your overall opinion of this book?
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