Point of View

The story if told from Todd Burpo’s point of view in first person. While saying the story form his experience he also explains Heaven using Colton’s own words. 

Theme

The theme of "Heaven is for Real," is about life after death, and seeing Heaven through the eyes of a child. 

Setting

Imperial, Nebraska, 2003~2010.

Main Characters

Colton Burpo- The main character that experiences Heaven first hand when while in surgery and makes it out alive to tell his story.

Todd Burpo- Colton’s father who tells the story using Colton’s word.

Sonya Burpo- Colton’s mother who also hears about Colton’s ordeals in Heaven. 

Significance of the Title

When coming up for the name of the book Todd Burpo and his wife Sonya had many thought but thought that none of them seemed right. It wasn’t until one day that Sonya finally asked Colton what he wanted people to learn from the book. His response was, “I just want people to know that Heaven is for real.” 

Reviews

So far, “Heaven is for Real” has gotten many positive responses as result of the book being religious and the insight of Heaven, but the book also has some negative comments saying that it is fake and that it is impossible to go to Heaven and back. Overall, though, it has gotten mostly good results. 

Organization

The author starts the story with a Prologue about the Burpo’s first experience with his son’s retelling of his visit to heaven. The book then continues by going back to the beginning before, during then after the hospital in chronological order. After, the book describes little facts that Colton sprinkle’s through the timetable of a few years.  

About the Author

Writing the book was not something that Todd Burpo, the author, had planned. He and his wife Sonja had not thought that it was something that people would want to read. He believes that, “God made [him] do it.” Todd Burpo is pastor of Crossroads Wesleyan Church in Imperial, Nebraska and a volunteer fireman where his sermons are broadcast locally every Sunday via the local radio station. He was ordained in 1994. His wife Sonja is a children's minister, busy pastor's wife, and mom. Colton, an active eleven year old, has an older sister Cassie and a younger brother Colby.  

                Todd Burpo and his son Colton(4).