Book Review: 'Heaven is for Real' by Todd Burpo

✰✰✰✰ After a series of family challenges and financial woes, the Burpo family sets off on a well-earned trip to explore a butterfly pavilion. Afterwards, the youngest son, Colton, experiences vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. Thinking it was just the stomach flu, the Burpos care for him themselves. However, when it becomes apparent that Colton has been suffering from a ruptured appendix for days, things take a turn for the worse. As Colton underwent emergency surgery something unexplainable happened. Colton woke up with knowledge of events and people he couldn’t have known. Little by little Colton shares the story of his trip to Heaven and back. As the Burpos struggle to piece it all together, it becomes apparent that they were part of something much bigger than they thought. This book will challenge you to think about the afterlife, faith, and the words of a four-year-old little boy.

The Bottom Line: This slim book is like two stories in one. On the one hand we learn about the Burpo family and on the other we learn about Colton’s trip to Heaven and back. Whether you are a Christian or not, this book invites you to consider the possibility of Heaven and faith. Recommended for anyone interested in the afterlife, religion, and happy endings.

Book Club Notes: Our summer meeting was small, but the discussion was engaging and fascinating. Overall, we agreed that this was an easy read, but the focus of the book was really Todd Burpo, not Colton. Being only 4 years old at the time, Todd became the narrator of his son’s experience. Those of us who watched the movie and read the book, preferred the book. The movie had added drama, but the book provided more descriptions. On a scale of 1 - 5, the book received an average rating of 4, while the movie rated lower at 3.5. The movie was received less positively due to it being very short and not following the book very well. As far as Colton’s trip to Heaven, several in our group wondered if this was really fiction or was it a dream? Coming from different backgrounds and faiths, we all brought different perspectives to this discussion; I think that’s part of what made our chat so interesting. Enthusiastically recommended for those curious about Heaven and for church book clubs.

This was one of those discussions that flowed by itself. I must confess that I almost didn’t need my prepared questions. However, you can find discussion questions at: LitLovers, Book Expectations, and Affirm Films.

And even though I did not need to rely on my own questions, I’m including them here supplement your discussion: 

Introduction: 

Before reading this book/watching the movie had any of you heard about this story?

What were your thoughts about Heaven or the afterlife prior to reading this? 

Do you have a theory of belief of what happens after death? Does it match with what Colton described? 

Had you read or heard about any other accounts of Heaven/the afterlife? How does Colton’s experience compare to those? Were those accounts by people who were older? Does age matter? 

Burpo family:

What roles did Todd have? [Pastor, Business owner, Volunteer firefighter, Wrestling coach, Husband, Dad] What roles did Sonja have?

Discuss the challenges the Burpo family faced before Colton got sick. [Shattered leg, surgeries, cancer scare, financial difficulty]

How is laughter helpful during tough times? 

Pastors & their families tend to be in the role of helper; it’s more comfortable for them. How did they react to being the role of helpee? 

Sickness:

Discuss the trip to Colorado. Why were they going?

Discuss holding the spider. What did it mean to the kids? Why didn’t Colton hold the spider on this trip? What did it mean for him to finally hold the spider? 

What did they decide to do when Colton got sick on the trip? And why did they delay getting treatment? 

How did their jobs as pastor and teacher inform their decisions? They wanted to trust the doctors & tests, but at what point do you act on your instinct? They kept waiting and waiting, hoping the next time would bring a change. 

In hindsight, maybe they should have done something differently. What would you have done? Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like you weren’t doing anything? 

Discuss Todd & Sonja’s different approaches to crisis.

Heaven:

Colton reveals his story over a couple of years, bit by bit, instead of all at the same time. Why did it take so long? Does that make his story more or less believable? 

Burpo asks: Could this be real? [Do you think Colton really experienced this? Was it a dream? If so, how did he know what his parents were doing while he was under anesthesia?] p. Xxi

The Burpos decided to stick with open-ended questions as the situation presented itself & try not to fill in the blanks.  Was this helpful in making the story more believable?

Then Todd had a realization, Colton didn’t die. How could he have gone to heaven if he didn’t die? What was going on here? The Bible does talk in several places about people who had seen Heaven without dying. Colton said Jesus sent him back because he was answering Todd’s prayer. Does Jesus answer prayers personally? Todd asks: “Why would God even answer a prayer like that? And how did I deserve his mercy?” Remember, Todd had been raging at God. 

Colton mentioned seeing lots of kids. Maybe Heaven doesn’t track with Earth time. Todd always thought God operated outside of our understanding of time. Maybe time is different in Heaven? Or maybe our understanding of time is different? 

Did Colton really see/visit Heaven? Or was he just retelling stories he had heard?

How do you explain things like Colton knowing he had another sister that had died before he was born? Or meeting his great grandfather who died 30 years before he was born? 

Discuss time in Heaven compared to Earth time? What is it? Can it be different?

Would you expect different people to have different experiences in Heaven? Or would there be similarities? 

Some common descriptions of dying include moving along long tunnels with a bright light at the end and meeting departed loved ones there or an out-of-body experience where one hovers over their body as doctors and nurses try to save them. Why is Colton’s experience/description different? Which do you think is more authentic? 

Religion:

The things Colton talked about were not preschool material. Colton talked about Jesus having “markers.” Catholic kids grow up with images of Jesus on the cross, but not Protestant kids.  Colton spoke with the conviction of an eyewitness, not the carefulness of someone remembering. How do you explain this? Is there some other way Colton could have this information?” 

How did visiting nursing homes at an early age influence Colton’s awareness of death and dying? 

What do people do when they have no extended family or church? 

What does it mean to have “faith like a child?” “Whoever humbles himself like this child…” (Lack of agenda, lack of guile, a time before we care what other people think…) And how is it different from grown-up faith?

Colton:

Colton was at the age when kids just say what they are thinking. How did that make him a more reliable narrator? Or not? 

How did Colton’s age at the time (almost 4) influence his experience and how he described his visit? Do preschoolers have an awareness of Heaven? How would his experience have been different at 10, 20 or 40?

How could Colton have known some of this stuff? Is there any other possible explanation?

Why didn’t Colton fear death? 

Was it possible for Colton to be a regular kid? Why or why not?

Controversy:

Why did they wait so long to share Colton’s story? 

Todd talks about the “doubting Thomas,” someone who refuses to believe something without physical evidence or direct personal experience…a person without faith. Is anyone here a “doubting Thomas?”

This book was a bestseller when it came out in 2010. What made it so popular? What are people looking for in books like this?

Was this a publicity stunt? A way to get more people to join the church?

How did they handle the publicity? How did this affect Colton as a kid?

Miscellaneous:

As the book progresses, Colton’s narrative changes from descriptive to prophetic. Did this surprise you? 

How did Colton’s experience change the family? 

Do you think Todd included too much story about the family, their challenges, and Colton’s illness?

How is the family bolder about talking about/sharing their faith? 

What did you like most about Colton’s experience? What bothered you? 

If you believe this story, why did God choose Colton, the Burpos? 

How is a child’s perspective different from an adult’s? 

Has Colton’s experience changed the way you view life? Death? And Heaven or the afterlife?

Why didn’t the Burpos write down all the names of the people Colton met?

Discuss Colton’s descriptions of Jesus and his horse. He described Jesus as having blue eyes. Do you think this is logical? 

Would Jesus appear the same to everyone or different to people of different cultures? 

Todd writes about a young self-taught artist, Akiane Kramarik. Her mother is an atheist. Akiane’s portrait of Jesus matches what Colton saw. To Todd, Akiane’s story showed that God can reach anyone. She also claimed to have visited Heaven. Discuss the similarities and differences between Akiane and Colton.

Have your thoughts about Heaven/the afterlife changed after reading this book?

Ratings 1 - 5

NOTE: This list of questions was created by Nana Herron for MiniBookBytes Book Review and is available for personal use only. As a courtesy, please credit this site. Thank you!

Details: Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent. Paperback published by W Publishing Group in 2010. 163 p. ISBN: 978-0-8499-4615-8 

Book Review: 'A Green Velvet Secret' by Vicki Grant

✰✰✰ When Yardley O’Hanlon’s beloved grandmother and best friend, Gidge, is diagnosed with cancer, the whole family knows their precious time with her is limited. Gidge is the type of person who likes to live life to the fullest. So when her body has had enough, Gidge knows it’s time to go. Yardley struggles to let go, but she holds fast in her belief that Gidge will return soon via reincarnation.

When she’s not working at the Over Easy Vintage Emporium, a used clothing store, Yardley looks for Gidge everywhere. One day a stranger arrives to pick up a prize. When the stranger opens the package she is shocked to discover a dress, and not just any dress either. It was a special dress Gidge only wore once. In that moment Yardley recognizes something familiar in the stranger, and everything goes haywire.

With a terrified customer, broken clues, and letters arriving from the deceased, Yardley must decipher what Gidge is trying to tell her from beyond. However, she can’t solve this on her own. Believing in good Karma, Yardley reluctantly opens her heart to form a new friendship with a troubled boy named Harris. Together they search for Gidge and find answers in surprising places.

The Bottom Line: While this book is a mystery, it’s definitely not what I expected. After a slow and sad beginning, the pace picks up as the main character grapples with feelings of grief and confusion as she tries to process the loss of her grandmother. Thankfully, the addition of other characters like Con and Harris add to the mystery as Yardley learns about family, friendship, and keeping secrets. Although geared towards kids ages 10 and up, there are some mature themes including euthanasia, illness, death, and cancer. Thus, I would recommend parents read along with their kids and discuss. [Note: Canada has different laws regarding euthanasia than the U.S., so this book might be better suited towards Canadian readers or readers in U.S. states where euthanasia is allowed.]

Details: A Green Velvet Secret by Vicki Grant. Hardcover published by Tundra Books in 2023. 256 p. ISBN: 978-0-7352-7012-1 [NOTE: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.]

Book Review: 'Ordinary People' by Judith Guest

✰✰✰✰✰ Cal and Beth Jarrett are the All-American dream couple. With successful careers and two outstanding teen sons, the Jarretts are comfortable in their lives. Unfortunately, life can change in an instant. After a tragedy leaves the family with only one son, the Jarretts must learn to move forward, but how? The loss of their oldest, Buck, is too much for them to process as each turns inwards. 

Without the support and attention of his parents, Conrad, the remaining son, attempts to take his life. The aftermath of this second tragedy is an even bigger struggle for Cal and Beth as they continue to deal with the loss of Buck. As Conrad returns to high school and tries to navigate his classes, Cal & Beth are at odds with how to help. Will they be able to find the support they need to heal as a family or will the aftermath of tragedy be too much for the Jarretts? Whether you are reading this book for the first time or the tenth time, the ending will haunt you.

The Bottom Line: Although first published in 1976, this novel still deserves a place on your bookshelf. It's a quick read that immediately connects and stays with the reader. Guest has an innate understanding of the internal dialogue people experience when faced with personal loss, grief, and depression. Each character expresses their grief differently, and Guest did a superb job tackling a tough subject. Highly recommended for teen, new adult, and adult readers. This novel would be perfect for discussion groups. Additionally, this book was made into a movie with a stellar cast you won't want to miss.

Details: Ordinary People by Judith Guest. Paperback published by Penguin Books in 1982. 272 p. ISBN: 0-14-006517-2 

Book Review: 'Gratitude' by Oliver Sacks

✰✰✰✰✰ When faced with their own mortality, some people become more productive and insightful. Knowing that your days are limited sometimes gives a person clarity and focus. In the face of death, these people learn what cannot be taught. They possess an appreciation for today; an appreciation for what they have, instead of pining away for things they don't.

Dr. Oliver Sacks was a brilliant physician and the author of more than a dozen books. After his cancer returned, he penned several essays in which he explored coming to terms with death...his death. Rather than feeling bitter and angry, Sacks uncovered a feeling of gratitude for having been a part of this world.

In this book, Sacks describes beauty, love, and adventure in his memories of the past and current thoughts as he faced his own mortality. Sacks also talks about the friends who have passed before him and those he himself would leave behind. This beautiful and inspirational book is all too brief, just like life itself.

The Bottom Line: This quick read will make you think about your own life and what really matters. Composed of just four essays, I read this book several times. This book left me asking myself the following: What are my real priorities? When was the last time I stopped to enjoy what I have? How can I be kinder to others?

Parts of this little, but amazingly powerful book have been previously published. However, when read together these essays bring the reader to a new understanding of what it means to really be alive. As Dr. Sacks pointed out, sometimes it takes being faced with death to learn how to really live. A must-read for everyone!

Details: Gratitude by Oliver Sacks. Hardcover published by Alfred A. Knopf in 2015. 64 p. ISBN: 9780451-49293-7

Book Review: 'Amish Grace' by Donald Kraybill

✰✰✰✰ Ten years ago, a local milkman invaded an Amish schoolhouse and took hostages. Before the day was over, ten girls between the ages of six and thirteen had been shot. Five would die, and Charles Roberts committed suicide. As the world watched, at first in horror and then in amazement, the Amish responded to what became known as the Amish 9/11 with grace and forgiveness instead of rage and vengeance.

This is the story of how these grieving families responded together as a devoted Christian community. While many non-Amish observers admired the Amish for their strength and convictions, others criticized them. Did they forgive too quickly? Was their forgiveness authentic? The issues raised in this book illuminate the many different acts of grace that can be found in the most unexpected places. 

The Bottom Line: Amish Grace is a book that inspires the reader to explore their faith. By recounting this tragic incident in the history of the Amish and exploring the acts of grace in the months that followed, the authors raise many questions. This is a story of forgiveness that has been shaped by the history  and culture of the Amish. Recommended for clergy, historians, psychologists, and those interested in personal reflection and religion. 

Book Club Notes: A dedicated group of book club members gave up watching a Cubs game and braved foul weather to attend. They were ready to tackle the topics of religion and forgiveness. By taking an inside look at what the Amish can teach us about forgiveness, grace, healing, and moving forward, each of us reflected upon our own experiences. We all come from different backgrounds, and while we sometimes disagreed, this book brought out a thoughtful, engaging discussion. There is a discussion guide available in the book or you can download a PDF copy here. For those who have taken it a step further and also viewed the movie, you can find sermon outlines here. Also, here is a thoughtful study guide from GodChicks. While this book and the topic of forgiveness were a more challenging read, it provided us with a new perspective. Overall, the ratings in the group averaged 4.5 stars, and we would highly recommend it for book clubs interested in learning about Amish culture, Christian living, faith, and religion.

Details: Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy by Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolt, and David L. Weaver-Zercher. Paperback published by Jossey-Bass in 2007. 288 p. ISBN: 978-0-470-34404-0 

Book Review: 'The Sinking of the Eastland' by Jay Bonansinga

✰✰✰✰½ When you think of famous ship disasters, the Titanic and the Lusitania are probably the two names that come to mind. However, there is another disaster that until recently has mostly been forgotten. The Eastland was an excursion boat on Lake Michigan with a reputation for being a bit cranky due to her design. Over the years she had had some near disasters, and the number of people she was allowed to carry was reduced. Her owners, however, were determined to raise her capacity in order to make more money. Thus, shortly before her fateful voyage, lifeboats were added and other changes were made.

On the morning of July 24, 1915, thousands of Western Electric employees and their families arrived at the Chicago riverfront to board several ships that would ferry them to the annual company picnic in Michigan City. While still sitting in port, the Eastland began to list. As thousands of horrified people watched, the ship capsized sending 844 men, women, and children to their untimely deaths. Using eyewitness accounts, first-hand testimony, photographs, and archived materials, author Jay Bonasinga has woven together a gripping tale of greed and tragedy.

The Bottom Line: This is a fast-paced read that focuses on a mostly forgotten tragedy in American history. By placing the spotlight on the lives of the passengers, crew members, rescue workers, and an undertaker, Bonansinga has retold the unimaginable horrors of the day with vivid imagery. Very highly recommended for nonfiction readers of American history, Chicago history, survival, shipwrecks, and other disasters.

Book Club Notes: Summer book club attendance is always lower due to scheduled vacations, but we had a good turnout to discuss this forgotten incident in our local history. Although several participants had grown up and attended schools in the Chicagoland area, most of us were not aware of this tragedy. We agreed that it's best to read the book a little bit at a time, otherwise it can be overwhelming. We also noted that as a work of narrative nonfiction. Thus, the author has taken some liberties with creating dialogues; however, the dialogues were believable. On a scale of 1 - 5, ratings from the group ranged from a low of 2 up to 4.5.

To supplement your book club, questions can be found at the Oswego Public Library District and the Galesburg Public Library. Additionally, several video clips are available, including the ones featured on Chicago Tonight. Lost footage is featured at gCaptain. For more information about the author, visit his website.

Details: The Sinking of the Eastland: America’s Forgotten Tragedy by Jay Bonansinga. Hardcover published by Citadel Press in 2004. 320 p. ISBN: 0-8065-2628-9

Book Review: 'Remembering the Music, Forgetting the Words' by Kate Whouley

✰✰✰✰ Learning that a loved one has dementia is dreaded by many of us. It can be a difficult and confusing time. Author Kate Whouley takes the reader on a heartfelt journey as she comes to terms with her own mother's diagnosis. Upon finding her mother's house littered with crumpled tissues, magazines, newspapers, cigarette wrappers, and smelly cat food cans, Whouley realizes something is wrong. Is her mother drinking again? No, it is perhaps worse, and nothing could have prepared the author for her mother's downward spiral into the disease that is Alzheimer's. 

Whouley shares her struggles to learn as much as she can about the disease and to find a way keep her mother safe. She must find a balance between work and caring for her mother, but in a way she has always cared for her. Growing up as an only child, Whouley shouldered a lot of responsibility when her mother divorced, remarried, and became an alcoholic. However, this is a new challenge that Whouley can't face alone. Along the way she is fortunate to find Suzanne, an elder-care consultant, to guide her through the stages of her mother's illness. Whouley also learns to rely on friends for support as she works her way through feelings of worry, guilt, and doubt. Additionally, Whouley takes solace in her music and incorporates her love of music into the book as it relates to her relationship with her mother.

The author wants to be the good daughter, but she discovers that it is not always easy to make the right decisions for her mother. Anne, her mother, has always been a little bit difficult, and now Anne resists the changes forced upon her. While Whouley struggles with the process of placing her mother in assisted living and finding the resources to pay all the bills, Anne resists losing her freedom little by little. By sharing their story, Whouley reminds readers that even the aged and the infirm are deserving of our love and respect.

The Bottom Line: Author Kate Whouley takes a very candid and open approach in her memoir as she gently reflects on her feelings of doubt, guilt, anger, and acceptance of her mother's illness. Reading the book is like talking to an old friend who understands about the struggles one faces when caring for aged parents. This quick read explores the complex relationship between mothers and daughters. It also highlights the importance of family relationships and finding a strong support system in your friends. Kate's touching reflections are told compassionately and will leave readers with a bittersweet sense of inspiration. Highly recommended for anyone struggling with caring for an aging parent diagnosed with dementia.

This book reminded me of Making Rounds with Oscar: The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat by David Dosa (which I reviewed in 2011). While Dosa's book features anecdotes about several patients, Whouley goes into much more personal detail. This would be a good choice for a nonfiction book discussion club. For those groups considering it, you can find the Reader's Guide (including discussion questions) here.

Details: Remembering the Music, Forgetting the Words: Travels with Mom in the Land of Dementia by Kate Whouley. Hardcover published by Beacon Press in 2011. 240 p. ISBN: 978-0-8070-0319-0

Book Review: 'Wenny Has Wings' by Janet Lee Carey

✰✰✰✰✰ When eleven year old Will North wakes up in the hospital, he is confused and sad. You see, he died along with his little sister, Wenny, when a truck ran them over. He remembers dying and speeding through a tunnel towards a light. He also remembers flying through the air with Wenny. However, only Will came back. Suffering from serious injuries, Will begins to write letters to Wenny as he recuperates in the hospital. As Will uses a journal given to him by a church youth leader, he learns to express the feelings he can’t share with anyone else.

Not that anyone is listening. His parents can barely stand to look at each other let alone talk to Will. Unable to talk to his parents and friends about his near-death experience, Will finds comfort in writing to Wenny. As time passes Will writes to Wenny less and less. He returns to school and helps his friend, Gallagher Krumley, face the challenge of going through the Tunnel of Death. During this time Will’s father seems to struggle the most with Wenny’s death and his feelings of guilt. However, with a new baby on the way, the family must learn to move on while still holding Wenny’s memory dear to their hearts.

 

The Bottom Line: Wenny Has Wings is a beautiful story of love, loss, grief, and acceptance told in the form of letters written by the surviving sibling. Author Janet Lee Carey's writing is magical as she takes the reader through one boy’s journey to come to terms with his sister's death. Highly recommended for kids in Grades 4 and up, especially for those coping with grief and death issues. This is a very quick read. Also, highly recommended for writers looking for an excellent example of an epistolary novel. I hope to read more of Carey’s books in the future.

Details: Wenny Has Wings by Janet Lee Carey. Hardcover published by Atheneum Books in 2002. 240 p. ISBN: 0-689-84294-5

Book Review: 'The Hunted Hare' by Fay Sampson

✰✰✰ This new series by Fay Sampson features photographer Aidan Davison, his terminally ill wife, Jenny, and their mischievous daughter Melangell. Many years prior, the couple had collaborated on a book about the mystical Pennant Melangell; Jenny, a writer, captured the magic with words while Aidan captured it in photographs. The couple has now returned to St. Melangell's hoping to recapture a bit of their past and share the magic of the place with their daughter, who was named after the saint. However, there is another reason for their visit. Many flock to St. Melangell’s for spiritual and perhaps physical healing. Jenny is no exception; she has incurable cancer with just months to live.

Seeking solitude and peace, the family settles into the fictional House of the Hare. While there are few guests, peace and quiet eludes them as a man is murdered in broad daylight. Instead of the peaceful atmosphere they had wished for, the Davisons suddenly find themselves at the center of a murder investigation. As the police continue questioning Jenny, who may hold an important clue, the couple's strained relationship becomes even more of a struggle. Additionally, the stress of the investigation begins to take its toll on Jenny's fragile body. It's a race against time as Jenny tries to remember something important before someone else is hurt. The Hunted Hare includes plenty of suspects, a few unsavory characters, and lots of twists and turns to keep readers guessing until the end.

The Bottom Line: The first book in the Aidan Mysteries series was slow to start, but eventually reeled me in. In this mystery, author Fay Sampson also explores the theme of faith as Jenny faces her mortality. However, Jenny's battle with cancer was not depressing; instead, Jenny seeks peace and acceptance.

While the setting of St. Melangell's is fascinating and the mystery is enjoyable, I felt the characters fell flat. Also, the writing style incorporates simple sentences and plentiful questions. There are even a few sentence fragments mixed in at times. Here is an example, "He [Aidan] felt a sickening fear. Was he to lose everything now? Jenny? His instinct for photography? What would there be left to make life worth living?" (p. 173)

Overall, this was an average effort that sometimes felt more like a draft than a finished product. I hope that the characters are more fully developed in future installments. Nevertheless, readers of cozy mysteries and Christian fiction may want to give it a try. Note: For those interested in the real St. Melangell's Church, be sure to check out the website.

Details: The Hunted Hare (The Aidan Mysteries) by Fay Sampson. Paperback published by Monarch Books in 2012. 288 p. ISBN: 978-0-85721-204-7 Note: I received a complimentary copy from Kregel Publications in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible by the Early Reviewer program at LibraryThing.