Cindy McKinley Alder's favorite books with surprise endings

This is probably my favorite book of all time! It is a roller coaster of highs that make me so happy and then lows that break my heart. It’s definitely a “just one more chapter” story—I just had to see what would happen to Edward next. I wanted to jump into there to give that Rabbit a hug, take him home with me. Edward changes so much throughout his heart-warming journey.

It is my go-to book for kids ready for chapter books because it pulls them in and doesn’t let go. Edward is lost from the little girl who loves him for most of the book, but then, that miraculous ending… it doesn’t matter how many times I read it, I cry. Every. Single. Time.

This book was absolutely stunning. Beautiful writing, beautiful settings, beautiful love. It is very unique in that it tells the love story of Linda and Thomas backward. At first, we meet them in middle age. Then, in their twenties, they live in Africa. Oh, I was so enthralled with their journey there. I feel like I saw it as a movie, so rich were the details. Then, at the end we see them as teenagers.

The ending of this book was so shocking to me that I actually cried. I have read it several more times over the years, knowing full well what the ending will bring me, and still, my heart breaks! 

Just try to read this book to a child around the holidays and not cry! I go to this book when I feel too wrapped up in the busyness of the holiday season and forget what it is really about. The story and the illustrations are beautiful. But it is the message that has me blinking back tears every time.

The little boy’s lost reindeer’s bell from Santa appearing magically under his tree, ringing its beautiful sound Christmas morning, is just the first reason it’s so wonderful. But then VanAllsburg says that the grownups cannot hear it ring! How can that be? Because we grown-ups, sadly, have lost the magic of Christmas. (I read this to get the magic back!)

First of all, I have always adored Sesame Street’s loveable, furry old Grover, so if he is the star of a book, I’m in! I still remember my mom reading this book to me over 50 years ago and feeling so proud that I was able to thwart Grover’s efforts to get me to NOT turn the pages. (Though, admittedly, that first time… I was totally nervous, like him, to get to the monster at the end!)

All subsequent readings, though, even when I dared to do it on my own, felt like an accomplishment, moving forward despite being afraid. And the end? Well, maybe we are not just who others think we are.

I have read every single one of Jodi Picoult’s books, and this is by far my favorite.

I love books that pull me in so much that I feel like I am in there, too. As a mom, as a sibling, this book made me wonder over and over: What would I do? Great writing. Great dilemma. Jodi does such a good job of giving readers just the right amount of information that by the time the twist comes, it is a shock. And then, THEN, the ending is altogether quite another one!