The Seventh Most Important Thing
The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall is a reprint edition published by Random House Children’s Books on October 4, 2016. This 288-page novel presents a story centered on themes of anger, art, loss, and redemption. The narrative follows Arthur T. Owens, who, after an impulsive act of throwing a brick, finds himself facing severe consequences. Instead of juvenile detention, he is given a chance to work for the Junk Man, where he learns to collect seemingly worthless items that hold deeper significance.
Readers will discover how Arthur’s journey through community service leads him to unexpected insights about life and the value of creativity. The book explores social themes related to death, grief, and bereavement, set against a historical backdrop of 20th-century America. Inspired by the work of folk artist James Hampton, this novel invites reflection on the hidden beauty within everyday objects and the transformative power of art.
Official synopsis Publisher
This “luminescent” (Kirkus Reviews) story of anger and art, loss and redemption will appeal to fans of Lisa Graff’s Lost in the Sun and Vince Vawter’s Paperboy.
NOMINATED FOR 16 STATE AWARDS!
AN ALA NOTABLE BOOK
AN ILA TEACHERS CHOICE
A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
Arthur T. Owens grabbed a brick and hurled it at the trash picker. Arthur had his reasons, and the brick hit the Junk Man in the arm, not the head. But none of that matters to the judge—he is ready to send Arthur to juvie forever. Amazingly, it’s the Junk Man himself who offers an alternative: 120 hours of community service . . . working for him.
Arthur is given a rickety shopping cart and a list of the Seven Most Important Things: glass bottles, foil, cardboard, pieces of wood, lightbulbs, coffee cans, and mirrors. He can’t believe it—is he really supposed to rummage through people’s trash? But it isn’t long before Arthur realizes there’s more to the Junk Man than meets the eye, and the “trash” he’s collecting is being transformed into something more precious than anyone could imagine. . . .
Inspired by the work of folk artist James Hampton, Shelley Pearsall has crafted an affecting and redemptive novel about discovering what shines within us all, even when life seems full of darkness.
“A moving exploration of how there is often so much more than meets the eye.” —Booklist, starred review
“There are so many things to love about this book. Remarkable.” —The Christian Science Monitor
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