The Seventh Most Important Thing
The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall, published by Alfred A. Knopf in 2015, is a juvenile fiction novel that explores themes of art, loss, and redemption. The story follows Arthur T. Owens, who, after an impulsive act of anger, is sentenced to community service with a Junk Man instead of juvenile detention. As Arthur collects seemingly worthless items, he begins to uncover deeper meanings and transformations that challenge his perceptions of value and purpose.
Readers will find a narrative that delves into social themes such as grief and the impact of personal choices. The book presents Arthur’s journey as he learns about the significance of the Seven Most Important Things he is tasked to collect, ultimately revealing insights about creativity and resilience. With 278 pages, this edition invites readers to reflect on the hidden beauty in everyday life and the connections that can arise from unexpected circumstances.
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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