The Seventh Most Important Thing

Marvelous story that vividly puts you there, experiencing it all. Emotional, profound, yet relatable on a simple, human level. Details you will appreciate even more on the second and third reads. This book deserves to be part of the literature curriculum anywhere from 5th grade up into high school.After the end, there's a surprise you'll be so glad you waited for, and want to chase down other info about it. Don't ruin it for yourself and peek, but I wouldn't want you to miss it, not knowing.This starts off grimly, and that's necessary, but don't get stuck there, the real meat of the story is coming and so worth it. If you've ever been a teenager, ever lost someone, ever had a little brother or sister, ever messed up, really bad...then even as an adult, read this and know there is beauty in mistakes and in making it right.There are people we must work to understand, but who turn out to be nothing less than a miracle in our life. There are unappreciated things waiting to become something amazing if you just look. It's a quick read, and you won't regret it.Sometimes we like to read together, so I checked it out to read aloud to my twins, freshmen in high school. When it was done, I was immediately begged to order one. I have since gifted a couple copies to a school and a couple more to other people. A deceptively simple, complexly meaningful book.

I read this book because my 11 year old grandson has to read it for summer reading. My daughter sent it to my IPad so I could help him with his study questions. As a Language Arts teacher, I jumped at the chance. Especially since he's my boy! His teacher is brilliant to give this assignment. The book is rich with symbolism, descriptive language and very challenging. The story is about a 13 year old boy who throws a rock at "a crazy man who collects junk ". What happens as a result is magical. Redemption is the key word. The twists and turns come at a rapid pace and the end result is a masterpiece made from junk. It's impossible to get into the story because it has lots of sub themes. I highly recommend it to anyone who believes that beauty is inherent in anything if you look for it. There is a religious theme running throughout the story and it will soften even the hardest of hearts. Based on a real person, this book is for the young and mature as well. I read it in one night and it will stay with me for many many more to come. I marvel that this is being taught in 6th grade advanced classes. There is so much to take away from this story that I would love to observe how his teacher presents its depth.

This felt like the sort of book that could be so earnest and well intended that it would sink under its own weight. The first few chapters didn't exactly dispel my concern. But once it gets up and running we speed along, and the messages, such as they are, are leavened by humor and authentic human feeling. This ended as an upbeat, affirmative, and not at all preachy testament to spirit, focus and independence. An unusual but rewarding find.

The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall is a book that a reader of any generation will enjoy. Young Adults especially will enjoy reading about Arthur Owens and the lessons he learns while finding the seven most important things as a court ordered punishment for throwing a brick at an old man. Although, at first, Arthur accepts his sentence so he won't have to return to "juvie", he finds courage and commitment as he learns more and more about the "Junk Man", James Hampton. . Many things turn from trash to treasure as Arthur helps Mr. Hampton with his mysterious sculpture, which depicts heaven. Middle school years can be tough and to make it worse, Arthur is dealing with his dad’s recent death. Coincidentally, 7 characters in the book help Arthur navigate the first year after his father’s death. However, these characters don't tell Arthur what to do. Pearsall uses them as support so that Arthur can make his own decisions. Some of this story is based on facts about James Hampton, the creator of the actual masterpiece, "The Throne of The Third Heaven" which is on display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. Teachers will find this an excellent read for grades 5 and up. There will be plenty of opportunity for discussion about life, personal redemption and the importance of the arts.

I read this to my grade 7 class and had them complete a "whole class novel study" package alongside it. They loved the book, and found the characters relatable and entertaining. They also really loved that the book had a non-fiction component and enjoyed learning about the real James Hampton after we finished the novel.

Good book to read

Not read myself. Bought for my 10 year old daughter as part of her reading list at a book club. She said it was great but apparently sad.

Order group set for Grade 6. Excellent novel to teach symbolism.

Excellent.