The Invisible Thread by Sue Lamoree

What worked:

Marvin is the main character, and he lost his best friend, Frankie, after becoming confined to a wheelchair. Surprisingly, Frankie incessantly bullies Marvin now, and Marvin doesn’t understand why. Marvin wants to feel like a “normal” kid again, and his parents’ split-up doesn’t help his emotions. His dad doesn’t have time for him anymore. Mavin’s anger toward his father and his wish to spend time with him leave Marvin with conflicting thoughts and feelings. Marvin is happiest when he attends riding classes, where he looks forward to bonding with his horse. This activity allows him to experience success and a bit of independence that’s missing from his daily life. Marvin’s life won’t truly return to “normal” until everyone in his life resolves unspoken issues.

Anna literally pops into the story after she’s sent from Heaven to earth. She offers Marvin supportive advice and encourages him to take chances. She can connect with animal spirits, and forest creatures tell her that they’re losing their homes. Maybe this is the reason she was sent to earth. Natural habitats are being destroyed by human developments, and Anna is worried that the animals have nowhere to go. This conflict leads the plot into a man-versus-nature direction, and it becomes the focus in the second half of the book. However, Anna’s purpose on earth is more than expected.

The author shares the emotional and physical challenges of being confined to a wheelchair. He misses playing soccer with his former best friend and wishes he could hike to the creek with his dad. He needs help getting dressed each morning, and others must lift his body to transfer him into and out of his chair. His wheelchair is motorized and heavy, but he uses a manual chair in some circumstances. The story also introduces his service dog and shares the amazing ways he helps Marvin.

What didn’t work as well:

The story spans weeks, although Anna keeps reminding the characters of the urgency. A deadline or climactic moment would add tension and suspense that’s missing from the plot.

The final verdict:

This book shares an emotional story that will resonate with all readers. There’s a spiritual aspect to it with a thoughtful, sensitive lesson. I recommend you try it for yourself.