The Next Person You Meet in Heaven: The Sequel to The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Author: Mitch Albom
Publisher: Harper
Publication Date: October 9, 2018
Length: 224 pages
About the Author
Mitch Albom is an internationally renowned author, screenwriter, playwright, nationally syndicated columnist, broadcaster and musician. He is the author of six consecutive New York Times bestsellers.
Annie's Story
Fifteen years ago, in Mitch Albom’s beloved novel, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, the world fell in love with Eddie, an amusement park mechanic who died saving the life of a young girl named Annie. Eddie’s journey to heaven taught him that every life matters. Now, in this sequel, Mitch Albom reveals Annie’s story.
My Thoughts
I don't read much fiction, but I did read The Five People You Meet in Heaven when it was published 15 years ago. I also saw the movie. When I learned there was a sequel to this book, I wanted to read it.
This is a fast read...mostly because it is hard to put the book down once you start reading it. Annie has grown up and is preparing to get married. She had a difficult childhood after the accident at the amusement park, but she is looking forward to a life of happiness with her new husband.
There are many unexpected twists and turns in the plot. There are emotional segments that have you laughing one moment and tears streaming from your eyes the next.
The story is about how our lives are connected and each of our actions has an effect on future events. Everything happens for a reason.
“No story sits by itself. Our lives connect like threads on a loom, interwoven in ways we never realise...There's no such thing as a nobody. And there are no mistakes."
I found this to be an uplifting and entertaining read. I don't want to spoil the story by saying what happens and how it ends. I will just say that Annie discovers the answers to many questions about her life and learns the meaning of sacrifice, commitment, and true love.
MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5
FYI ~ I checked-out a print copy of this book at my local public library.
Angels
Author: Alexis York Lumbard
Illustrator: Flavia Weedn
Publisher: Wisdom Tales
Date: September 10, 2013
About The Author
Alexis York Lumbard is a storyteller and children’s book author. With a B.A. in Religious Studies from George Washington University, it is her sincere hope to bring the wisdom and beauty of the world’s religions to the eager and gifted minds of young children.
A Heavenly Picture Book For Children
This is a beautiful rhyming picture book about angels. The rhyming text is very simple and easy to read. Each page has three or four words and a beautiful full-page illustration.
Angels are everywhere and they watch over everything. They are always near and they protect us at all times. This is the message that this book shares with children.
The simple text and beautiful illustrations come together to make a book that will be treasured by children and parents alike.
My Thoughts
This book was written for young children ages two to four. I think this would be a perfect book to share with a child at bedtime. It would also be excellent to read when a child is ill or afraid. The text is so simple, a child will soon have the words memorized.
This is a non-denominational book that shows how angels are always working behind the scenes. I really like this book and plan to give a copy to my granddaughter who is 18 months old. I think her mother will enjoy reading it to her for years to come.
My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5
FYI ~ I received a complimentary print copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review.
Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.
Colton Burpo tells the story about how he got sick and went to Heaven when he was almost four-years-old. "Heaven is for Real for Kids; A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back", by Todd Burpo, is written in a child's words and is meant to be shared with other children. The color illustrations reflect the experience Colton had during his amazing trip to Heaven.
About The Author
Todd Burpo is the pastor of Crossroads Wesleyan Church in Imperial, Nebraska
where his sermons are broadcast locally every Sunday via the local radio
station. He volunteers at Chase County Public Schools as wrestling coach for
Junior High school students, as well as serving as a member of the school board.
Todd graduated from
Oklahoma Wesleyan University in 1991 with a BA in Theology. He
was ordained in 1994.
A Little Boy's Journey to Heaven
Colton Burpo was almost four-years-old when he became ill and was taken to the hospital. During his stay in the hospital, he closed his eyes and found himself being carried to Heaven by an angel.
Colton describes all the things he saw and all the things he experienced while in Heaven. The text is very simple and is written in a way that children can understand. Each page is illustrated with a beautiful color illustration that complements the text. There is also a Bible verse on each page that supports the experiences that Colton described while he was in Heaven.
My Thoughts
This book is a child's version of the best-selling adult book "Heaven is for Real; A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back." I have not read this original version of the book but plan to read it in the future.
I read this book on my Kindle 3 (black and white illustrations) and on the Kindle for PC Application (color illustrations). The illustrations and text are a good fit for the Kindle. Children will find this book easy and enjoyable to read on the small screen of the Kindle.
I think the child's version of "Heaven is for Real" is a book that is well-suited to share with children of all ages. This book will help parents explain what happens after a person dies. Colton remembers seeing all kinds of animals in heaven so this book would also be appropriate to answer questions about what happens to pets when they die.
Christian parents will find this book poignant and astounding. It is truly amazing that this young child could have an experience like this and be able to describe it in such vivid detail. There will always be skeptics, but I found Colton's story very believable and inspiring.
The theme of this book is "Jesus really, really loves children and Jesus really, really loves you." There is a FAQ section at the end of the book that provides more information about the Burpo family and Colton's experience. Highly recommended.
FYI ~ I checked-out this ebook from my public library.
Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
