Book Review & Giveaway: Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
Katie 
I had mentioned this book on my blog before as one that I really wanted to read. When I saw that Booksneeze was going to have it available, I waited up until 1am to make sure that I got it! When the wrong book came in its place, I was pretty much devastated. However, Booksneeze made it right and after a few extra days of waiting Heaven is Real arrived.
Heaven is Real tells “A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back”. The book is about Colton Burpo, but is written by his father, Todd. When Colton was 4, he was having bad stomach pains. It was written off as the flu and a few days later he was feeling better and the family went on a trip. While on the trip Colton got very, very ill and ended up spending some time in the hospital while the doctors tried to figure out what was wrong with him. He ended up going under surgery and while there – went to Heaven.
While driving past the hospital at a later date, his parents commented about his time there and Colton randomly mentions that the angels sang to him while he was there. (And that he asked them to sing We Will, We Will Rock You but they said no! haha) Colton’s stories continue and he tells of his trip to Heaven. Todd is a pastor, so he is rather well versed with the bible, but Colton, at only 5 years old at this point, isn’t. He knows the basics that he was taught in Sunday School but his father says there is no way he could have previously known about what he is telling them he saw. (And most of what he says he saw his father can relate to bible passages telling the same)
The book was incredibly moving and while I read it all in essentially one sitting, I did have to put it down a few times because it was making me cry. I’m not sure why, it isn’t exactly a sad story, but it was quite overwhelming at times. This is a book I definitely recommend!
About the Book
Deluxe, keepsake edition of the best-selling book and true story of a young boy’s visit to heaven after life-saving surgery.
Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn’t know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear.
Colton said he met his miscarried sister whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how “reaaally big” God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit “shoots down power” from heaven to help us.
Told by the father but often in Colton’s own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready there is a coming last battle.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
WIN IT!
One lucky Concert Katie reader will receive a copy of this book for their own collection! Contest ends December 9 at 11:59PM EST.
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Win It! 1 lucky winner will receive Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo from @Concert_Katie! Ends 12/9/11 http://tinyurl.com/7xaahaa