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

This 10th anniversary edition of the beloved #1 New York Times bestseller includes a new introduction and afterword by the author. Chronicling the lifelong friendship between a busy sales executive and a disadvantaged young boy that began with one small gesture of kindness, this is a “ray of hope for a better future, as well as an assurance that love is a stronger force than injustice and inequality” (Sybrina Fulton, mother of Travyon Martin and coauthor of Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin).

Stopping was never part of the plan...

She was a successful ad sales rep in Manhattan. He was a homeless, eleven-year-old panhandler on the street. He asked for spare change; she kept walking. But then something stopped her in her tracks, and she went back. And she continued to go back, again and again. They met up nearly every week for years and built an unexpected, life-changing friendship that has today spanned almost three decades.

Whatever made me notice him on that street corner so many years ago is clearly something that cannot be extinguished, no matter how relentless the forces aligned against it. Some may call it spirit. Some may call it heart. It drew me to him, as if we were bound by some invisible, unbreakable thread. And whatever it is, it binds us still.​

Now with new material that brings the life-changing story up to date for its tenth anniversary, An Invisible Thread is “a book capable of restoring our faith in each other and in the very idea that maybe everything is going to be okay after all” (Catherine Ryan Hyde, author of Pay It Forward).

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Published Mar 15, 2022

288 pages

Average rating: 7.71

136 RATINGS

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Ventura Women's Book Club

The Ventura Women’s Book Club started in 2009. We meet on the 4th Saturday of each month from 11 AM to 12:30 PM at the residence of one of our members. 

We are currently at capacity and not inviting new members.

Between The Covers Women's Book Club

Between The Covers Book Club started virtually during 2020. We are a group of women who enjoy reading and discussing a variety of books.

Morris County Book Club

A local book club that meets in-person once a month on the fourth Tuesday in the Conference Room at the Morris County Library in Whippany, NJ from 6:30-7:45 pm.

Please only join this book club if you plan on committing to reading the book club selection and attending the meetings each month.

Please change your RSVP if you are not able to attend. Try to arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the meeting to socialize and get to know other members. Bring a copy of the book (if you can).

Community Reviews

LTC
Nov 20, 2024
Book #17: Christine's pick, Laura C hosted!
Obfinch096
Apr 02, 2025
10/10 stars
This book was so real! An amazing read!!
Maria Capriotti
Mar 11, 2025
8/10 stars
Loved it
DaileyBean
Aug 14, 2024
10/10 stars
Oh my goodness, this is MY KIND OF BOOK! This is a life-changing, attitude-adjusting feel-good story! Well, not the whole way through…there are some tough parts, but overall, so incredibly inspirational! I cried and talked with a teacher friend about experiences we have had that were similar to this story in ways. I have already recommended this to a couple people, but I’ll tell everyone about it! 5⭐️!
Marti Comstock
Aug 02, 2023
10/10 stars
The true story of an 11 year old boy in New York, and a sale executive. Good read.

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