The Light on Halsey Street

Two girls’ lives are irrevocably intertwined the summer of 1985 in the streets of Brooklyn, New York, and neither will ever be the same in this coming-of-age story that spans decades.

In the summer of 1985, Lisa Whitaker is a church kid headed to college on a scholarship while her best friend, Dana, is floundering in the wake of her mother’s latest eviction. Though Lisa tries to help, their paths diverge. Fifteen years later, Lisa has a beautiful family and is stepping into her dream job as the director for a social services organization. Everything is going right—until her future is snatched away by identity theft. Her life begins to unravel, and Lisa wants nothing more than to see the woman responsible pay for her crimes.

When she was a teenager, Dana Jones always felt alone in this world. Her mother was addicted to drugs, her boyfriend was entering a life of crime, and it seemed Dana, too, was heading down the wrong path. The only bright light was her friendship with Lisa. Now, in the new millennium, Dana finally gives herself permission to dream—to believe she is stepping into better days. But when the betrayal of their friendship comes to light, it will take a lifetime to forgive the destruction that youthful summer in Bed-Stuy set in motion.

In this latest story from beloved author Vanessa Miller, two girls from the Bed-Stuy neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, find that their paths have been woven together by the love of community and a friendship that is tested by time, betrayal, and unforgiveness.

Book club questions for The Light on Halsey Street by Vanessa Miller

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

This book begins in 1985 when the two main characters are eighteen years old. Do you remember your teen years? If you were given the
chance to change one thing from your teen years, what would it be? (If it’s too personal, just pray about it.)

Dana hated her mother’s choice in men, but found herself with a boyfriend who was a thief and caused her to spend four years in prison.
Why do you think people sometimes run toward the very thing they know is not good for them?

When Dana attended church with Lisa, the pastor preached a message titled, “Your Struggle Is About to Change Your Whole World.” Dana’s struggle was poverty and lack of self- worth. Lisa’s struggle was unforgiveness. Their struggles did indeed change their world, but was there anything Lisa or Dana could have done to eliminate some of the things they struggled with?

Lisa seems to have it all together. She’s from a two-parent home, college educated, married with a child, and she loves God. It is not until she faces adversity that we see her struggle to forgive and how that struggle affects her in devastating ways. In your opinion, is there ever a just reason to hold unforgiveness?

When Dana first meets Jeff, she looks at him through the lens of past relationships. If she had kept her guard up, she could have missed out on a good man. But how easy is it to let your guard down once you’ve been hurt? And how much do we miss out on by holding people at arm’s length?

Even though Dana and Lisa grew up in the same community, they had very different experiences. And they were both a product of their
upbringing. What did you think of these two characters? Did you feel for Dana even though she betrayed her friend? Did you understand Lisa, even after she became bitter? Or did you not get one or the other at all?

One of the themes in The Light on Halsey Street is “What You Owe Me.” Have you ever done something to someone . . . knew you owed them, but couldn’t figure out how to repay the debt you owed? What did that feel like?

When Lisa discovers she has been betrayed by a friend, it seemed that was a bridge too far and she could not forgive such an act. How do you think you would respond after a hurtful betrayal?

At one point in the book, John told Lisa, “What happened to you wasn’t right, but you need to pray about how you’ve decided to respond to this situation.” So, now I ask you, what length will you go to get vengeance on someone who betrayed you? Can you let it go, or will it fester forever until it kills you?

Dana tried to capture beauty in her world with her camera, but kept running into the ugliness of life. It was not until she gave her life to the
Lord that she was able to finally see good in herself and in the world. What about you . . . are you looking for beauty in all the wrong places? You’ll never know just how much beauty is within you until you allow God to cleanse you from within.

Dana’s pursuit of her mother’s love was heartbreaking. I felt so bad for Dana after she thought she saw her mother, only to discover that she had died and things would never get better between them. What did you think of Dana and Vida’s relationship? Did your heart break for Dana as mine did?

The Light on Halsey Street Book Club Questions PDF

Click here for a printable PDF of the The Light on Halsey Street discussion questions

“The Light on Halsey Street is an emotional story that takes you on an up close and personal journey across the decades with two friends. The plot is woven with friendship, forgiveness, and faith. An unforgettable read from cover to cover by Vanessa Miller.” —Tia McCollors, bestselling author

“Vanessa Miller delivers a poignant story of friendship and betrayal, bringing Lisa and Dana full circle, with an uplifting ending that proves there is power in prayer.” —Lacey Baker, USA TODAY bestselling author

“Riveting and redemptive, The Light on Halsey Street vividly transports us back to 1980s Brooklyn with an unforgettable cast of characters and leaves you with the firm belief that light can truly never be extinguished by darkness.” —Joy Callaway, international bestselling author of All the Pretty Places

“Vanessa Miller serves a heartfelt and fulfilling, Brooklyn, New York, literary buffet in this 1980s coming-of-age journey through friendships and hardships, all nourished by ‘The Light on Halsey Street.’” —Pat G’Orge-Walker, ESSENCE and national bestselling author and creator of the Sister Betty Christian comedy series

“Vanessa Miller set The Light on Halsey Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, New York, but she takes readers on a decades-long exploration of the heart. In her coming-of-age story, two women learn about the impact of bitterness and resentment and the power of love to heal and restore what was lost. Readers will find it hard to put this novel down, and they’ll hold on to these life lessons long after they turn the last page. Well done!” —Robin W. Pearson, Christy Award-winning author

“The Light on Halsey Street is not only a story of times gone by but the resiliency of friendship, family, and faith. This redemptive story of two friends, Lisa and Dana, poignantly demonstrates that we need not be a product of our circumstances and that the power to change is within all of us. Miller has created a timeless tale that will resonate long after the last word is read.” —Donna Hill, author of Confessions in B-Flat and I Am Ayah: The Way Home