'Heaven Is for Real' best seller sits on 'The New York Times' list for three consecutive years

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Since its release in November 2010, "Heaven Is for Real" by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent has become a publishing phenomenon. On November 24^th, "Heaven Is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back" (Thomas Nelson) was No. 12 in the Nonfiction Paperback category on "The New York Times" Best Seller List – its 156^th consecutive week appearing on the list.

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Over the past three years, "Heaven Is for Real" reached No. 1 on the following lists: "The New York Times", "USA Today", "The Wall Street Journal", "Publisher's Weekly", National Public Radio, Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) and Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA). In addition to being ranked near the top on numerous best seller lists, Thomas Nelson has printed the eight millionth copy of the acclaimed title.

"'Heaven Is for Real' continues to surpass all expectations," said Mark Schoenwald, president and CEO of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. "For three years this book has resonated with millions of readers, bringing them hope and strengthening their faith. The impact this experience has made is nothing less than incredible.  It has been an honor to work with the entire Burpo family as they continue to share their story for a greater purpose." 

Several other products by the Burpos that have had best seller success:

• "Heaven Is for Real for Kids" – No.1 "The New York Times" Best Seller List for Print Children's Picture Books
• "Heaven Is for Real" deluxe hardcover edition – 8 weeks on "The New York Times" Best Seller List for Hardcover Nonfiction
• "Heaven Changes Everything"  - 2 weeks on "The New York Times" Best Seller List for Hardcover Advice

"Certain stories have a unique ability to transcend time due to their unique subjects and themes," says Matt Baugher, Senior Vice President and Publisher at Thomas Nelson. "'Heaven is For Real' does exactly that and speaks to the innocent child in all of us.  Through Colton Burpo, we all catch a glimpse of the world beyond our own.  We're so thankful to our retail partners and our readers for their tireless efforts to spread this story all over the globe."

Releasing on April 16, 2014, and based on the best-selling book, "Heaven Is for Real", the TriStar Pictures movie version brings to the screen the true story of a small-town father who must find the courage and conviction to share his son's extraordinary, life-changing experience with the world.

The film stars Academy Award® nominee and Emmy® award winning actor Greg Kinnear as Todd Burpo and co-stars Kelly Reilly as Sonja Burpo, the real-life couple whose son Colton (newcomer Connor Corum) claims to have visited Heaven during a near death experience. Colton recounts the details of his amazing journey with childlike innocence and speaks matter-of-factly about things that happened before his birth ... things he couldn't possibly know. Todd and his family are then challenged to examine the meaning from this remarkable event.

About the Book
In March 2003, Todd and Sonja Burpo were on the verge of their worst nightmare – losing a child. Their 4-year-old son Colton's appendix had unknowingly burst days before, and he was now fighting a life-threatening infection. To save Colton, surgery was the only option. But what would happen during that surgery was more than healing through modern medicine.

"Heaven Is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back" (ISBN 978-0-8499-4615-8, $16.99, November 2010) is the true story of the Burpo family and Colton, who during his life-threatening illness and sudden surgery, slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He narrowly survives. Several months later while passing by the same hospital that saved him, Colton begins talking about his experiences during surgery and making a trip to heaven. The family didn't know what to believe, but soon the evidence was clear.

Written in the first-person narrative of Colton's father, Todd, with "The New York Times" best-selling author Lynn Vincent, "Heaven Is for Real" walks readers through the revelation of Colton's trip, his parent's initial uncertainties and the lessons learned by such a small child.

Todd Burpo is pastor of Crossroads Wesleyan and a volunteer fireman. His wife Sonja is a children's minister, busy pastor's wife and mom. Colton, an active fourteen–year-old, has an older sister Cassie and a younger brother, Colby.

Lynn Vincent is "The New York Times" best-selling writer of "Same Kind of Different as Me" and "Going Rogue: An American Life." The author or coauthor of nine books, Vincent worked for eleven years as senior writer, then features editor, at the national news biweekly "WORLD Magazine" where she covered politics, culture and current events. A U.S. Navy veteran, Lynn is also a lecturer in writing at the World Journalism Institute and The King's College in New York City.

Thomas Nelson publishers is a world leading provider of Christian content and has been providing readers with quality inspirational product for more than 200 years. As part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing Inc., the publishing group provides multiple formats of award-winning Bibles, books, gift books, cookbooks, curriculum and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Thomas Nelson, is headquartered in Nashville, TN.  For additional information visit www.thomasnelson.com.

SOURCE Thomas Nelson