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barthpenn@heaven.org

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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 hobbies, like Parasailing and Sand Boarding to name a few. My family has a cottage on a lake, we pull a parachute behind our powerboat, and go sailing up to 500 feet in the air. I have a few surfboards I surf down huge sand dunes with too, some hills as high as 10 stories. I've had a few mishaps there! I love to ride my mountain bike everywhere too, and average 1,500 - 2,800 miles a year recreational biking.

Q. Will there be a sequel to Barthpenn?

A: The ending of the book is set up to lead to a sequel, and my publisher, Baker Trittin Press has opened the door for one. We're just going to see how much impact it has before I begin a second one. And, I have many other books for them in the works, so I'd like to get out new things before revisiting

something I've done.

Q. How about a book for adults, in the same format - would you do one? If so, why, and if no, why not.

A: Actually, "barthpenn@heaven.org", and all of my upcoming titles, are for parents, too. My publisher is aware of this, and supports the concept. It's a way to reach and touch kids and adults for more of a blanket audience. My next book, "Esther's Channel", on the surface, looks like a little tale about a turtle and her friends, but it's really about adult behavior that unites and divides us.

Q. When determining what type of job an angel might hold, how did you come up with the "workforce."

A: It all sort of fell into place. Heaven was going to be shaken up with a breach in security, and thus there has to be an angelic food chain as well, different levels all trying to manage a crisis. It's whimsical! I think the funniest part is Bart the angel's superiors (St. Andrew and St. Hawthorne) trying to keep the "misguided email" sent to Jordon Mink a secret of sorts from God Almighty. Yeah, right! God knew this all was going to happen before

any of it did!

Q. Who is the inspiration for Jordan's character?

A: It's me, but I didn't do it intentionally. My wife says I drew so much on my past that Jordon became me. I did have a situation when I was 16, where I had a burst appendix, and spent a month in the hospital. I almost died, and I was very spiritual, and felt I had a guardian angel there watching over me.

Q. Feel free to talk at length about anything you would like readers of this book to know.

A: There are a lot of messages in BART (as I call the book), but perhaps the best message is to never make negative assumptions. There are so many situations in the book where assumptions are made about others that turn out to be totally wrong. Get to KNOW others. Negative assumptions caused Jordon to misjudge Mr. Baxter, the elderly man with Alzheimer's disease, and a misjudgment of Brandon's character (Jordon's friend) nearly cost the two their friendship. It isn't until we get to know others, and use compassion and wisdom and hope as our guide, do others begin to unfold for us in our lives. You really begin to see what life is all about when your heart becomes your eyes. And, we all affect one another, and influence others. It's like they book says, "by the end of our lives we become a collection of everyone who ever loved us." You will miss out on many good people by misjudging them or making assumptions.

***

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

Kevin Scott Collier's book, barthpenn@heaven.org, is an inspirational book and helps introduce the concept of faith to young readers. The story is compelling, the writing gentle and life-affirming. I admit that tears may flow when reading this special book, but they will quickly become tears of triumph. This is a good story for kids who struggle with being different and finding their own way. I recommend it without reservation

I enjoyed reading. barthpenn@heaven.org. It is a wonderful story for "tweens." Using the vehicle of email from heaven, Kevin Scott Collier presents an unlikely communication between an angel in heaven and a boy on earth. The angel, Bartholomew Pennington, unwittingly directs an email to the wrong Jordan Mink -- not the one who died and is expected in heaven -- but a young boy named Jordan Mink. Bartholomew then stumbles into a mutually satisfying email correspondence with ten year old Jordan.

At first, Jordan doesn't believe Bartholomew is an angel. Bartholomew convinces Jordan by getting involved in his life. Naturally, Heaven wants to close this heavenly communication breach. However, the more Bartholomew learns about Jordan, the more he wants to help him with problems in his life and teach him. He teaches Jordan important life lessons such as don't judge by appearances, don't jump to conclusions, "it's not what we have but who we are," one person can make a difference, and the importance of promises made and kept.

Bartholomew helps Jordan overcome problems, make friends, and answers Jordan's questions. We all know the hardest question: "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Bartholomew explains that dealing with pain and suffering is a part of all of us. Overcoming problems in life, dealing with loss, pain, and suffering has made us into compassionate people. We become stronger people who can rise above the challenges and disruptions we face. But when Jordan suddenly gets very sick, it's touch and go. Bartholomew intercedes for Jordan and is able to exact a miracle to save his life. And in so doing, Bartholomew has proven his own worth and he is promoted to be Jordan's Guardian Angel. barthpenn@heaven.org

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.