Sonja and Todd Burpo, co-authors of “Heaven is for Real”, were in O’Neill Friday November 18. They ventured to O’Neill to talk about what their son, Colton, went through when he slipped out of consciousness and went to Heaven while in emergency surgery.

If you aren’t familiar with the book, it is a true story of a four-year-old’s journey to Heaven after he slipped from consciousness during an emergency appendectomy. He survives and surprises his parents by telling them he was looking down and watching the doctor operate and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn’t know whether to believe him or not but soon the evidence was quite clear.

Colton tells his parents about his miscarried sister, who he had know idea about, and his great grandfather who had died 30 years before he was even born. He shared information that no one had ever told him. He also described a horse that only Jesus could ride, about how “reeeallllyy big” God and his chair are and how God “shoots down power” from heaven to help us.

The book is told by Colton’s father, Todd, who is a pastor in Imperial, NE. It is often told in Colton’s own words. The simple message of this book is that heaven is a real-deal place.

“Heaven is for Real” is a little over a year old now and is a number one New York Times Bestseller. It has sold over 6 million copies and the adult version is being translated into 31 different languages. They have recently written a children’s version called “Heaven is for Real for Kids” and that has been translated into 8 different languages. Sony has even acquired screen rights to make it into a movie.

Colton is also a little older now. He is a few years shy of being a teenager, at age 11. Todd and Colton were recently on The Today Show and Natalie Morales asked Colton if he is ever worried that the memories will ever get fuzzy over time. Colton quickly responded with, no those memories are planted.

I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. I honestly think this book and eventually movie is not only for a faith-based audience. I recommend it.