Set in 1963, The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall tells the story of thirteen-year-old Arthur Owens, who is reeling from his father's death. The narrative begins when, in a fit of rage, Arthur throws a brick at the "Junk Man" James Hampton, a local character who always appears in ragged clothes, collecting trash in a shopping cart.
Rather than going to juvenile detention for this act, Arthur is sentenced to community service, assisting Hampton in his unusual collecting task. This sentence takes Arthur on a remarkable journey as he helps Hampton collect what he refers to as the "Seven Most Important Things": light reflectors, foil, mirrors, wood, glass, pieces of colored paper, and cardboard. While the items seem like useless trash to Arthur, he gradually begins to see their importance in Hampton's grand design.
In the rented garage that serves as Hampton's workshop, Arthur sees the transformation of these discarded objects into a stunning art installation, a glowing and intricate representation of heaven that Hampton calls "The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations' Millennium General Assembly." The magnitude of this work overwhelms Arthur, completely changing his perception of the world around him and helping him come to terms with his father's death.
Hampton's sudden death prompts Arthur to reveal the secret of the artwork to the world, ensuring Hampton's recognition in the art world. By the end of the novel, Arthur has grown significantly from the angry, troubled young boy he was at the start. He has learned to see beauty in the mundane, gained empathy and understanding for people's hidden depths, and found a way to deal with his grief over his father's death.
