The nonfiction novel, Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo is an extremely touching story that illustrates the hardships and miracles a small town family in rural Nebraska experienced. The story focuses around a severe health complication that happened to the Burpo’s four year old son and how the young boy, Colton, slowly unwraps his story of visiting heaven and coming back. I sat down one night when I had no homework and started to read the book. Two hours later, I was a few chapters shy from being completely finished. I could not put it away. The story made me cry, laugh, and gave me a new sense of hope in God. Todd Burpo uses many details and descriptions that made me feel like I was actually a part of his story. I could see what he was seeing. I could also feel his grief, happiness, and confusion. The little four year old boy slowly uncovers information he would never have known without having an out of body experience to something greater. He told his mom “I have two sisters. You had a baby die in your tummy, didn’t you?” (Burpo 94). This is Colton recalling his mother’s miscarriage she experienced before Colton was even born. His parents never told him about the loss of their unborn child and somehow he knew about it. The things this toddler says is far past anything a Sunday school class would teach. He knows things no parent or teacher would ever tell a little boy. This gives the story credibility that his heavenly encounter is not a lie or a hoax. His comments shock his parents, but soon they come to realize their child truly visited Heaven. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is affiliated with Catholicism, or Christianity in general. It will encourage people who have any doubts and amaze those who believe in life beyond. Heaven is for Real is truly eye opening and will touch your heart. This book has confirmed my faith and has made my belief in Jesus stronger because of the amazing experiences Colton describes. This story brings inspiration and gives a quick glimpse of what lies on the other side, and I am truly convinced that heaven is for real.
I sat down one night when I had no homework and started to read the book. Two hours later, I was a few chapters shy from being completely finished. I could not put it away. The story made me cry, laugh, and gave me a new sense of hope in God. Todd Burpo uses many details and descriptions that made me feel like I was actually a part of his story. I could see what he was seeing. I could also feel his grief, happiness, and confusion.
The little four year old boy slowly uncovers information he would never have known without having an out of body experience to something greater. He told his mom “I have two sisters. You had a baby die in your tummy, didn’t you?” (Burpo 94). This is Colton recalling his mother’s miscarriage she experienced before Colton was even born. His parents never told him about the loss of their unborn child and somehow he knew about it. The things this toddler says is far past anything a Sunday school class would teach. He knows things no parent or teacher would ever tell a little boy. This gives the story credibility that his heavenly encounter is not a lie or a hoax. His comments shock his parents, but soon they come to realize their child truly visited Heaven.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is affiliated with Catholicism, or Christianity in general. It will encourage people who have any doubts and amaze those who believe in life beyond. Heaven is for Real is truly eye opening and will touch your heart. This book has confirmed my faith and has made my belief in Jesus stronger because of the amazing experiences Colton describes. This story brings inspiration and gives a quick glimpse of what lies on the other side, and I am truly convinced that heaven is for real.