The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall

A book created from the imagination of a true work of art she had seen 25 years ago.  Wow!  It's incredible, and I absolutely LOVED The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall!

This is a story of a boy trying to make sense of the world after his father is killed in a motorcycle accident - caused by his drinking problem.  Arthur is faced with 120 community service hours to help the Junk Man.  This Junk Man, as he's known around the neighborhood, is based off the real James Hampton.  Mr. Hampton is on a mission to create the Throne of the Third Heaven based off his visions he had while serving in the war. He wanted to create something beautiful out of death and war.

He creates a list for Arthur to collect for him to use, which at first Arthur has no idea what the Junk Man is even doing.  On his first Saturday of community service, Arthur gets a note printed on a piece of cardboard that says,
     ST. JAMES LIST OF THE SEVEN MOST IMPORTANT THINGS.
          1. LIGHTBULBS
          2. FOIL
          3. MIRRORS
          4. PIECES OF WOOD
          5. GLASS BOTTLES
          6. COFFEE CANS
          7. CARDBOARD

Arthur is so very grumbly about this project, but what's so cool about this book is how the author crafts her story into each of these items helping him mature and realize how great life is.  The ending is perfect!  And I also enjoyed the Author's Note with information about where her idea started and how this real piece of art can be found at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.  She even includes pictures, which I wish were in color.  But that would just make the book cost more, and I would rather more people have access to this fantastic read.

YES, this book belongs in a middle school library!  So far it has my vote for the Sequoyah Winner for 2018.  You've got to read it!