Reviews

The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall

Only show reviews with written explanations

luvbookz's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

jennrocca's review against another edition

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4.0

Good - particularly for middle school ages. Darker than I was expecting. I thought it was going to be a lighthearted relationship but the book deals heavily with coping with loss.

sophiesaur's review against another edition

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inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Still enjoyable coming back to it years later

gmamartha's review against another edition

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3.0

Based on a real work of art, this fictionalized story of how a boy got involved with the trash man shows how "where there is no vision the people perish" helps him change his life.

khalvorson07's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

bickie's review against another edition

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3.0

In November of 1963, Arthur, 13, picks up a brick and throws it at the neighborhood Junk Man, who rummages around people's trash pushing a rusted shopping cart. The community is shocked, and views Arthur as a hardened hooligan when in fact, the conflicting feelings about his father's death a few months previously rose to a head when he saw the Junk Man wearing his father's prized cap just after realizing that his mother had cleared the house of the father's belongings. After some time in a juvenile detention center, Arthur wears his "funeral suit" to his hearing with a notoriously tough judge who wants nothing more than to send him back to "juvie" for a long time. The Junk Man, James Hampton, has a discussion with the judge, however, and Arthur moves back home, thankful for the room he shares with his 7-year-old sister, even with all the stuffed animals and Barbies that usually irritate him. Every Saturday, he needs to work with the Mr. Hampton for 4 hours. Over time, we see what Mr. Hampton is up to with his junk collecting, while Arthur battles prejudice at school based on his criminal background.
Arthur is realistically drawn; he is full of contradictions and is fairly unlikable on the surface. Under it all, Arthur has goodness, but it rings true for an average teenager.
Best for ages 11-14 (alcoholism, bullying, meaning of life).