The Invisible Thread by Sue Lamoree

The Invisible Thread by Sue Lamoree 

Publisher: Covenant Books
Published:  July 30th, 2025
Format Read:  E-book
Number of pages:   185 pages
Source: Author in exchange for an honest review

Opening Lines:  "Marvin sat in the back of the classroom with his nose buried in his textbook."

Marvin was recently paralyzed in an accident and now uses a wheelchair for mobility.  Before the accident, he loved spending time with his friends, playing soccer and hanging out with his dad.  His former friend, Frankie has become a bully, making his life at school unbearable, and his parent's recent separation has left Marvin feeling as though his father no longer wants to spend time with him.   Marvin's only social outlets are Bailey, his service dog, and Murphy, the therapeutic horse he rides at the Reins of Life Riding Stables. 

During one of his riding lessons, Marvin catches a glimpse of a mysterious flicker of light coming from one of the stalls in the barn.  Curious, he investigates and is surprised to find a young girl named Anna.  She explains that she is on a special mission.  One, she must complete in order to return home, though she isn't entirely sure what she must do in order to complete the mission.  All she remembers is that she has fallen from heaven and is eager to return to her family.   Anna also has the remarkable ability to connect with the spirits of animals, and through her connection, Marvin learns that forest animals are being displaced by the construction of new apartment buildings.  Together, Marvin and Anna hope to stop the development, save the wildlife and make Anna's wish to return home possible.

Marvin's character captured me immediately.  I felt his loneliness, his desire to feel "normal," his need to distance himself from the other kids at school, and his anger at feeling abandoned by his dad.  All natural responses given the trauma he has endured. The author wonderful conveys what it is like for Marvin to navigate using his wheelchair for mobility and the challenges he faces when spaces are not accessible to him.  This story is a powerful way to promote empathy and understanding for readers who may not be familiar with the experiences of wheelchair users.   

I especially loved how Anna encourages Marvin to show people what he is capable of, to have faith, and to trust again.  Watching his relationships with Frankie and his dad mend was truly beautiful, and seeing the family finally release their shared guilt was deeply moving.   The focus on preserving the environment is another theme that resonated with me.  Reading The Invisible Thread made me think about what it means to feel part of something bigger.  For me, that feeling comes when I'm at Yellowstone National Park, surrounded by endless trees, I feel connected to nature and something greater than myself.  Anna's feelings of belonging are more spiritual, rooted to her connection to the Heavenly father and his many children, and I think readers seeking divine connections will find the story very meaningful. 

Children who appreciate stories with spiritual themes, care about the environment, or enjoyed Katherine Paterson's Bridge to Terabithia will find much to love in the messages woven throughout this heartfelt book.    

About the author:

Sue Lamoree has loved writing since childhood, beginning with poetry and short stories before studying creative writing in college. Although her career ultimately took her into finance, storytelling remained a lifelong passion.

A Pacific Northwest native, Sue eventually returned home after several years in Southern California. Not long afterward, she was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, a spinal cord condition that left her an incomplete quadriplegic. Living with a disability reshaped her perspective, teaching her resilience, humor, and the importance of accepting support from others.

Those experiences inspired Sue to return to writing. Through stories that blend hope, faith, friendship, and compassion, she hopes to encourage readers to face life's challenges with courage while discovering strength in both themselves and the people around them.

Website: https://www.suelamoree.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100039470686275#

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keep__rolling__on/

Amazon: https://bit.ly/4at5Ns8

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239523975-the-invisible-thread

**A huge thank you to Sue Lamoree for the ebook in exchange for an honest review**

I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE