The Seventh Most Important Thing summary

Understanding the Power of Redemption and Art

In The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall, we follow the story of thirteen-year-old Arthur Owens. Arthur's life takes a drastic turn when his father dies, and his mother marries the man responsible for his father's death. Consumed by anger and grief, Arthur throws a brick at the Junk Man, a local figure who rummages through trash, and lands himself in court.

Instead of being sent to juvenile detention, the Junk Man offers a different punishment to Arthur - to work for him for 120 hours, gathering the seven most important things: glass, metal, paper, plastic, wood, rubber, and cloth. These items are not just trash to the Junk Man; they are his art materials. Inspired by the real-life folk artist James Hampton, the Junk Man is creating a masterpiece in his backyard from these discarded items.

Learning Life's Most Important Lessons

Reluctant at first, Arthur begins to understand the Junk Man's philosophy. As he continues to work for him, he meets a diverse group of people who also help the Junk Man, including a kind-hearted neighbor, a social worker, and a group of neighborhood kids. Through these interactions, Arthur learns the value of community, empathy, and the power of second chances.

As Arthur spends more time with the Junk Man, he also learns about the man behind the trash. The Junk Man, we discover, is actually a war veteran who has suffered immensely. His art, a beautiful and intricate structure called the Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations' Millennium General Assembly, is his way of finding peace and purpose in his life.

Transformation and Redemption

As Arthur completes his 120 hours, he undergoes a transformation. His anger and resentment begin to fade, and he starts seeing the world through a different lens. He begins to understand the power of art and the importance of forgiveness. He also learns that everyone has a story and that we should never judge someone based on their appearance or circumstances.

However, just as Arthur starts to embrace these lessons, the Junk Man passes away. Devastated, Arthur takes it upon himself to complete the Junk Man's masterpiece. With the help of the community, he finishes the Throne, honoring the Junk Man's memory and the valuable lessons he taught.

The Seventh Most Important Thing

At the end of the novel, Arthur realizes that there was a seventh most important thing that the Junk Man failed to mention - the human spirit. Just like the Junk Man's ability to transform discarded items into art, Arthur understands that people, too, have the power to transform and redeem themselves.

In conclusion, The Seventh Most Important Thing is a captivating story about redemption, forgiveness, and the transformative power of art. Through Arthur's journey, we learn that even in the most unlikely places, we can find beauty, hope, and most importantly, the capacity for change.