One of the fastest-selling books in Americais called "Heaven Is For Real." Its the story of Colton Burpo, a boy who was rushed at age four to emergency surgery with a burst appendix. The son of an Evangelical preacher in Imperial, Nebraska, Colton woke up after his operation, saying that he had died and gone to heaven. In heaven, he says, he saw his great-grandfather as well as some Biblical figures including Samson and John the Baptist. And he met Jesus who had, he says he remembers, sea-blue eyes that sparkled.
The boys father, Todd Burpo, has turned Coltons memory into a 163-page book, published by Thomas Nelson, a Christian publisher. In the last month the book has become a New York Times number one best-seller. Todd Burpo collaborated on the book with Lynn Vincent, who worked with Sarah Palin on "Going Rogue."
Burpo, who is the pastor at the Crossroads Wesleyan Church in a farming community in southwest Nebraska, said he had received some criticism about the book. "People said we did this just to make money, and its not the truth. But we were expecting nothing. We were just hoping the publisher would break even."
He said that at first he and his wife were uncertain about the story their son, now eleven, told them at the time. But they were amazed when he described a younger sister who he said he met in heaven. He asked his mother, "You had a baby that died in your tummy? " Burpo said his wife once had a miscarriage but they had never told Colton about it. The boy also described in detail the bloody wounds on Jesus palms, which Burpo also said they had never discussed with Colton.
At first Burpo told only his congregation about Coltons experience. But then, through a pastor friend, he was introduced to an agent with a Christian literary agency. He received a low five-figure advance for the book and says he intends to give away most of the royalties he receives and use some on home improvements. As for Colton, he plays the piano and trumpet, and he loves football. He said hes pleased that people are finding his story so inspirational.
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