Arthur Owens, an ordinary thirteen-year-old, picked up a brick and threw it at the Junk Man’s head. The Junk Man himself offered an alternate punishment than what the judge had sentenced – a long time in Juvenile Detention Hall. He ended up working for the Junk Man. What happened afterwards changed his life for the better. The Junk Man, through the tasks he gave him, showed Arthur a new path of life. He gives Arthur a list of the “Seven Most Important Things”, which all seem like junk at first, but end up corresponding into his life and making it a happier life to live.
I enjoyed the book. It is a heartwarming tale that will make you never, ever judge someone by the cover again. I enjoyed the relations between the Seven Most Important Things and the things that made Arthur’s life better. I suggest it to someone that wants to learn how to forgive and become a kinder person. It put a smile on my face to think about the new life that the Junk Man helped Arthur discover for himself.
One memorable thing about the book is the Junk Man’s repeated kindness to Arthur, which starts with the alternate punishment. To top it off, the Junk Man is thankful that Arthur threw a brick at his head. He is an excellent role model for any who want to learn to forgive.
Reviewed by Kalakriti , Grade 6, Twin Hickory Area Library
HCPL TeenScene's Read + Review 