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erinwilham 's review for:
In the book Heaven Is For Real, Todd Burpo relates the story of his four-year old son's trip to heaven and back. Burpo writes in a casual tone, often quoting the words of the four-year old, named Colton, which gives the book an emotional appeal. The reader will feel the anxiety of the Burpo family as they nearly lose their son, and will later feel their relief when they discover their son has fully recovered from his near death experience. Readers will also feel touched by the simple descriptions of heaven offered throughout this book.
Through this book, which Todd Burpo (a small-town pastor) says he was called to publish from God, the Burpo family reaches out to Christians who may experience doubt in their faith from time to time. The stories told by Colton are authenticated by quotes from scriptures that Burpo provides within the novel; this leaves little doubt that Colton's story is true. For example, Colton tells his family that Jesus has "red markers" in both his palms and his feet where he was nailed to the crucifix, which the four-year old Protestant boy was never taught and had no way of knowing.(67) He also tells his father that in heaven "We flew. Well, all except for Jesus. He was the only one in heaven who didn't have wings. Jesus just went up and down like an elevator." (72) Todd Burpo then backs this up by quoting Acts: "Jesus was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dresses in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.'" (72-73)
I felt that this book was overall well-written for the audience it is trying to appeal to. This could include Christians of all ages who are curious about what happens after life on Earth. It was very easy to understand and was touching and inspiring, emotionally and spiritually. This novel is very effective in affirming Christian beliefs, especially the belief that as Colton says, "Heaven is for real." (154)
Through this book, which Todd Burpo (a small-town pastor) says he was called to publish from God, the Burpo family reaches out to Christians who may experience doubt in their faith from time to time. The stories told by Colton are authenticated by quotes from scriptures that Burpo provides within the novel; this leaves little doubt that Colton's story is true. For example, Colton tells his family that Jesus has "red markers" in both his palms and his feet where he was nailed to the crucifix, which the four-year old Protestant boy was never taught and had no way of knowing.(67) He also tells his father that in heaven "We flew. Well, all except for Jesus. He was the only one in heaven who didn't have wings. Jesus just went up and down like an elevator." (72) Todd Burpo then backs this up by quoting Acts: "Jesus was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dresses in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.'" (72-73)
I felt that this book was overall well-written for the audience it is trying to appeal to. This could include Christians of all ages who are curious about what happens after life on Earth. It was very easy to understand and was touching and inspiring, emotionally and spiritually. This novel is very effective in affirming Christian beliefs, especially the belief that as Colton says, "Heaven is for real." (154)