While never losing playfulness, Three-in-One: The Mysterious Friendship of Derry and Benny by Debra Kornfield addresses distressing circumstances in the lives of two boys who meet in a startling way at age ten when Son becomes human.

Derry lives in Heaven; Benny on Earth. Curious about each other, they write letters describing their distinct experiences. When they do meet again and share their letters three years later, Benny's shepherd community near Bethlehem, devastated by loss, finds healing and a new beginning through the unexpected visit of a young child.

Nine eventful years pass with surprising connections before the boys meet again, yet their friendship anchors Benny as he grows up. Mediated by Derry's purple-haired guardian angel Lael and two timely dreams, Benny finds hope and a strong relationship with Son. The book concludes when Derry welcomes eighty-year-old Benny to Heaven and catches up with his friend's rich and adventurous life on Earth. What they have each discovered about Three-in-One delights them both.