The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall

Here’s a book for readers who like historical fiction and encountering characters their age who make mistakes and learn from them. 13-year-old Arthur feels angry and expresses his rage by throwing a brick and injuring a “Junk Man”. Sentenced to work for the man he injured, Arthur wonders why he’s gathering light bulbs, aluminum, glass bottles, wood, mirrors and cardboard. Then he discovers the truth about friendship, humility and the transformative power of art. - Noreen