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lil1smith's review against another edition
4.0
It was the first chapter that really drew me in. "On a bitter November day in Washington, D.C., when everything felt metallic-when the sky was gray and the wind stung and the dry leaves were making death-rattle sounds in the alleys- thirteen-year-old Arthur Owens picked up a brick from the corner of a crumbling building and threw it at an old man's head."
I really like the way the author described things throughout this book. She was able to really build the story well through her choice of description. Her writing style was unique, but similar to many other middle grade/Newberry books I've read.
I wouldn't say this was my most favorite middle grade book I've ever read, but I certainly enjoyed it. I liked the historical aspect and learning about the artist James Hampton, and the character Arthur Owens is one you want to cheer on.
My only real issue is that it just didn't go over the top for me on a story scale. It was good, it just wasn't really good, and didn't have that peak moment I was expecting. The moment that I think was supposed to be the peak fell more flat for me than I was expecting, especially with the way I loved the beginning. To be fair, I did have to start and stop this book over the course of about a month, which can sometimes ruin the cadence of a book, but I think well written books can still be interrupted and picked back up without having been ruined.
Overall, it was an enjoyable, easy read, and I would recommend it if you enjoy middle grade or historical fiction.
I really like the way the author described things throughout this book. She was able to really build the story well through her choice of description. Her writing style was unique, but similar to many other middle grade/Newberry books I've read.
I wouldn't say this was my most favorite middle grade book I've ever read, but I certainly enjoyed it. I liked the historical aspect and learning about the artist James Hampton, and the character Arthur Owens is one you want to cheer on.
My only real issue is that it just didn't go over the top for me on a story scale. It was good, it just wasn't really good, and didn't have that peak moment I was expecting. The moment that I think was supposed to be the peak fell more flat for me than I was expecting, especially with the way I loved the beginning. To be fair, I did have to start and stop this book over the course of about a month, which can sometimes ruin the cadence of a book, but I think well written books can still be interrupted and picked back up without having been ruined.
Overall, it was an enjoyable, easy read, and I would recommend it if you enjoy middle grade or historical fiction.
kscaldwell's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jilly_bean_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
justicepirate's review against another edition
3.0
Arthur is not a bad kid, but at the start of the book he ends up hitting an older man in the arm with a brick, missing his head. He is only a seventh grader in the 1960s in Washington D.C. after the assignation of President Kennedy. Because of his crime, he had to serve some time in juvenile detention.
When Arthur gets out of juvie, he needs to work several hours of community service to make up for his crime. The man whom he hit with a brick wants him to work for him.
This story talks about a real man who lived making art from junk that he collected for many years. He used seven main types of items to make this art. The art is now in the Smithsonian museum. This story is fictional wrapped around this man and his art.
I found this story to be intriguing and well told. I loved learning about Arthur and how these items he would collect for Mr. Hampton started to teach him lessons and appreciate things around him more. Definitely good.
3.5 stars
When Arthur gets out of juvie, he needs to work several hours of community service to make up for his crime. The man whom he hit with a brick wants him to work for him.
This story talks about a real man who lived making art from junk that he collected for many years. He used seven main types of items to make this art. The art is now in the Smithsonian museum. This story is fictional wrapped around this man and his art.
I found this story to be intriguing and well told. I loved learning about Arthur and how these items he would collect for Mr. Hampton started to teach him lessons and appreciate things around him more. Definitely good.
3.5 stars
ogreart's review against another edition
4.0
I will definitely be recommending this to my students. A story of redemption.
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book straight through and am puzzled by my response, since I love historical fiction. This felt more like realistic fiction, which is not my favorite genre. I didn't really care about any of the characters and that usually drives my enjoyment. I DID like the author's note at the end and maybe if I had read that first I would have liked it more.
rlbeatty91's review against another edition
After Arthur Owens throws a brick at the Junk Man’s head, the Junk Man decides to offer Arthur redemption: instead of serving time in juvenile detention, Arthur will spend 120 hours of community service working for him. At first, Arthur doesn’t understand why he has to spend his days collecting the very specific junk that the Junk Man calls the Seven Most Important Things, but he soon begins to see how the old man transforms the garbage into a fantastic work of art.
Although there are fictional elements to this story, it is based on the true life of James Hampton and his masterpiece, now at the Smithsonian American Art Institute.
Although there are fictional elements to this story, it is based on the true life of James Hampton and his masterpiece, now at the Smithsonian American Art Institute.
calypsogilstrap's review against another edition
4.0
Great story about redemption. Much like Holes but not as many plot twists or humor. But this is based on a true story. Great read aloud for upper elementary or middle school!
bookgirl4ever's review against another edition
3.0
In a fit of temper, Arthur Owens throws a rock at the Junk Man's. Luckily, he misses the Junk Man's head, but the rock does hit his arm and breaks it. Charged with assault, Arthur finds that the Junk Man, whose real name is James Hampton, has intervened and that instead of a continued juvie sentence, Mr. Hampton has requested that Arthur work off community service hours with him. The first day that Arthur begins his work, Mr. Hampton is nowhere to be found, but has left a list of the seven most important things, and it is Arthur's job to find each item by looking through other people's garbage. Little does Arthur know that Mr. Hampton has a reason behind collecting this junk, and Arthur finds redemption by assisting him.
Middle school.
Middle school.
listen_learn's review against another edition
2.0
A story of art and redemption - which made it a very mixed bag for me. The characters were quiet and complex and I wanted to know what would happen to them - that's what I liked. The part I liked less is that I'm not that into creating meaning for oneself in art and I'm not Christain, so a lot of the motifs tied to the redemption piece were...just not up my alley.