barthpenn@heaven.org

By Kevin Scott Collier

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0975288024
• ISBN13: 9780975288023
• Release Date: November 2004
• Publisher: Tweener Press
• Length: 159 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.5" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

You never know what might end up in your inbox

Reviewed by Brianne Plach (age 10) for Reader Views (4/08) Do you like to get email? If you do and find it interesting to read emails, you will like Jordon Mink. He got an email from heaven. He must leave this earth immediately. The emails come from Barth Penn who lives in heaven. Barth is assisted by different angels who are trying to convince Jordan to come to heaven. It's only Barth who talks to Jordan, but the angels give him advice. Can you imagine his response when opening his email? He goes through four months of corresponding with Barth. There are blank pages in between some of the emails because Jordon does not reply to his email partner. Jordon was undergoing some medical treatment. "barthpenn@heaven.org" is a very interesting book for young readers who like fantasy books. Their story is told by reading each email and seeing just how the story develops on and on. I read this book in two days, it was so exciting. It's definitely a book which you can't put down until you are finished with it. You never know what might end up in your inbox. But you definitely won't get any from heaven like young Jordon did in "barthpenn@heaven.org."

A reluctant reader's joy

Kevin Scott Collier's ability to write a story in e-mail form is pure talent. I've seen this technique before and quickly became bored with it. His word choices and message can hold the most reluctant, child-reader captive. Jordon Mink, the Angel who accidentally sent an e-mail to Bart, creates an intriguing picture of Heaven. He also answers all of Bart's questions with skill and honesty. Kids will appreciate Collier's style of writing. I recommend this book for boys and girls, as well as adults who need their heart-warmed.

More than worth its paper and ink!

Kevin Scott Collier takes children's writing to the next level with "barthpenn@heaven.org". The story of a young boy, Jordon Mink, "barthpenn@heaven.org" chronicles how Jordon inadvertently receives an e-mail message intended for a deceased man, who is late for his heavenly appointment. The e-mail sender, Bartholomew Pennington, the angel on duty, is horrified to learn that the e-mail has fallen into the wrong hands and attempts to remedy the situation by sending Jordon a file which will erase the e-mail not only from the boy's computer, but from his mind as well. Being internet literate, Jordon does not fall for the ruse and forces Bartholomew to become his pen pal under threat of exposure. "barthpenn@heaven.org" is the story of ten-year-old Jordon Mink's friendship with the angel and the lessons he learns, due in part to his association with the angel. Written in an engaging and fast-paced style, Kevin Scott Collier brings off the narrative with ease, presenting the story in the form of e-mails. It is a unique and intriguing, yet potentially dangerous, technique, yet the author handles it skillfully and presents the reader with a story more than worth its paper and ink! An enjoyable read! Craig Hart - CraigHart.net/ChristianLit Magazine

barthpenn@heaven.org Review & Interview with Author

BARTHPENN@HEAVEN.ORG by Kevin Scott Collier Reviewed by Dian Moore Ten-year old Jordan Mink accidentally receives an email from Bartholomew Pennington (Bart), an Angel who lives on Cloud 9. Jordan writes back, and Bart is in deep trouble for breaking the confidentiality of Heaven. To avoid exposure he agrees to correspond with Jordan, and the story unfolds, told entirely in emails. I recommend that people of all ages read this small book with a big message. Better yet, all ages should read this book together, as a family, with friends, and in school. Yes, in a public school. Without preaching, Collier has created a masterpiece of communication full of vivid details, which appear in the reader's mind through short, web-ese emails. By the end of the story, I was amazed, and touched, to realize I had finished a story of remarkable dimensions. Though written for the middle-school-aged child (tweener), BARTHPENN@HEAVEN.ORG strikes a chord in the adult heart as well. Kindness, good deeds and learning the importance of empathy are explored, and Collier shows readers, through this story, how our actions cause ripples in the ocean of human life, affecting ourselves and the people we come to know. The importance of love and friendships without judging one another are illustrated as Jordan interacts with his family, schoolmates and an angel who also has a lesson to learn. Interview with Kevin Scott Collier, author of BARTHPENN@HEAVEN.ORG Interviewed by Dian Moore Q. What was your inspiration for a book written entirely in e-mail form? A: It just came to me, from a joke I told a child. He asked me if I prayed to God, and I responded, "No, I email him instead!" Then, the wheels in my head started turning. I started seeing the entire concept in my head, of a book that is both inspirational, and tech oriented for children. Q. What is your ultimate dream - your hopes from the publication of this book? A: To inspire children. To reach out and make people think, both young and old. I'm not in it for fame or fortune, I'm on a pathway my creator has put me on. This is about using my gifts for a spiritual purpose. Q. When did you begin to write, and what types of things did you write? A: I actually began as an artist, at age 5. But, with the creation of characters, stories had to be told, so writing was a natural companion to illustration. I mainly created, wrote, and illustrated Super Heroes, and made my own comic books which I sold to neighborhood kids. I pretty much had my own humble little publishing company by age 13. Q. Tell us a little of your background - where you grew up, family composition, hobbies and current life. A: I was born and raised in Muskegon, Michigan in 1957. It was a foundry town, my dad worked as an automotive pattern maker, and mom was a full time mother raising us five kids; I have 3 brothers, 1 sister. I was really into art as a kid, cartooning in particular, and still am today. I have a lot of strange and dangerous hobbi