Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back
Author: Todd Burpo 
Genre: Christian/Nonfiction
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2010
Pages: 162
My Rating: ★★★

When Colton Burpo made it through an emergency appendectomy, his family was overjoyed at his miraculous survival. What they weren't expecting, though, was the story that emerged in the months that followed--a story as beautiful as it was extraordinary, detailing their little boy's trip to heaven and back. Colton, not yet four years old, told his parents he left his body during the surgery--and authenticated that claim by describing exactly what his parents were doing in another part of the hospital while he was being operated on. He talked of visiting heaven and relayed stories told to him by people he met there whom he had never met in life, sharing events that happened even before he was born. He also astonished his parents with descriptions and obscure details about heaven that matched the Bible exactly, though he had not yet learned to read. With disarming innocence and the plainspoken boldness of a child, Colton tells of meeting long-departed family members. He describes Jesus, the angels, how "really, really big" God is, and how much God loves us. Retold by his father, but using Colton's uniquely simple words, "Heaven is for Real" offers a glimpse of the world that awaits us, where as Colton says, "Nobody is old and nobody wears glasses." "Heaven is for Real" will forever change the way you think of eternity, offering you the chance to see, and believe, like a child.
 A little boy goes to heaven and sees Jesus and the family he's never met.
Before I had read the book, I had seen the movie and absolutely adored it. The book is a very quick read. However, there were a lot of unnecessary parts of the book. Overall, the concept was good even though at times things felt a little drawn out or exaggerated. It made me question my own faith while reading. I loved how this was a true story and a true test to your own faith. 

Colton Burpo, a four-year-old, becomes sick with a ruptured appendix and has to be rushed into emergency surgery. While in surgery, Colton visits heaven and sees Jesus and long lost family members. He returns to Earth and tells his parents of his account resulting in an incredible testimony. According to Colton, Jesus sits on the right hand of God, and Gabriel on the left. Heaven is everything you would expect it to be.

The only reason this book was an average read for me is because of those drawn-out parts. Honestly, I enjoyed the movie more. I liked seeing the account instead of just reading about it. With this story, I liked things more visual. This wasn't surprising to me since it's mostly talking about a place and as a person, I like seeing places instead of just talking about them. I think I would have liked the book more had I read it first before seeing the movie.
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Todd Burpo is pastor of Crossroads Wesleyan and a volunteer fireman. He and his wife, Sonja, have four children: Colton is an active 14-year-old; he has an older sister, Cassie; a younger brother, Colby; and a very special sister he met in heaven, yet to be named.