Why am I passionate about this?

I read every single day without fail. So I have read a lot of books over the years. I am always so impressed with- and love- a good, twisty, surprise ending. From children’s books to middle grade to adult… surprise me at the end, and I’m in! (Extra points for making me cry a little bit!) If you, too, love a good twist at the end of a story, give these books a try!


I wrote

One Smile

By Cindy McKinley Alder , Mary Gregg Byrne (illustrator),

Book cover of One Smile

What is my book about?

Even the smallest acts of kindness can powerfully impact the lives of others. My book beautifully demonstrates this truth as…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Cindy McKinley Alder Why I love this book

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.

By Kate DiCamillo , Bagram Ibatoulline (illustrator) ,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

The Incredible Journey meets The Mouse and His Child, an enchanting tale that begs to be read aloud.

The magical story of the adventures of a lost toy rabbit from a New York Times bestselling author, twice winner of the Newbery Medal. Abilene loves her blue china rabbit, but Edward Tulane is extremely vain and only loves himself. On a voyage from New York to London, Edward falls overboard and from there finds himself on an amazing journey. He travels with tramps, works as a scarecrow, comforts a dying child ... and finally learns what it is to truly love.


Book cover of The Last Time They Met

Cindy McKinley Alder Why I love this book

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! 

By Anita Shreve ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Last Time They Met as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From the last time Linda and Thomas meet, at a charmless hotel in a distant city, to the moment, thirty-five years earlier, when a chance encounter on a rocky beach binds them fatefully together, this hypnotically compelling novel unfolds a tale of intense passion, drama, and suspense. The Last Time They Met is a singularly ambitious and accomplished work by one of today's most widely celebrated novelists.


Book cover of The Pet-Sit

The Pet-Sit by Carol Moreira,

A decades-old secret. A missing woman. A private investigator with everything to prove.

Newly minted PI Paula Moore takes on her first case: find Marion Taylor, who vanished from Portsmouth, England, years ago. Paula’s search leads her across the ocean to San Francisco—only to discover Marion has changed her name,…

Book cover of Polar Express

Cindy McKinley Alder Why I love this book

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!)

By Chris Van Allsburg ,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Polar Express as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Discover The Polar Express, a true Christmas classic.
"Magical" Guardian
"Evocative and atmospheric" Sunday Times
"A thrilling tale" Independent
All aboard the Polar Express to the North Pole! Follow one boy's journey to receive a very special gift from Santa himself: a bell that only true believers in Father Christmas can hear ring. Discover the beloved Christmas classic that inspired the blockbuster family favourite movie starring Tom Hanks.


Book cover of The Monster at the End of This Book (Sesame Street)

Cindy McKinley Alder Why I love this book

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.

By Jon Stone , Michael Smollin (illustrator) ,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked The Monster at the End of This Book (Sesame Street) as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Monster at the End of This Book is a classic, adored by toddlers and adults alike. This collectible kit includes a mini book version of The Monster at the End of this Book, featuring the full text and illustrations from the original classic story, and a plush Grover backpack clip. Journey with lovable, furry old Grover to the end of the book to discover who the monster really is!

Lovable, furry old Grover is distressed to learn that there's a monster at the end of this book! He begs readers not to turn the pages, but of course kids…


Book cover of Beautiful and Terrible Things

Beautiful and Terrible Things by S.M. Stevens,

Charley Byrne isn’t really living. She hunkers down in her apartment above the bookstore she manages, until quirky activist Xander Wallace lures her out of social exile with the prospect of friendship and romance. Charley joins Xander’s circle of diverse friends and thrives, even leaving her comfort zone to join…

Book cover of My Sister's Keeper

Cindy McKinley Alder Why I love this book

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!

By Jodi Picoult ,

Why should I read it?

9 authors picked My Sister's Keeper as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Sara and Brian Fitzgerald's life with their young son and their two-year-old daughter, Kate, is forever altered when they learn that Kate has leukemia. The parents' only hope is to conceive another child, specifically intended to save Kate's life. For some, such genetic engineering would raise both moral and ethical questions; for the Fitzgeralds, Sara in particular, there is no choice but to do whatever it takes to keep Kate alive. And what it takes is Anna. Kate (Sofia Vassilieva) and Anna (Abigail Breslin) share a bond closer than most sisters: though Kate is older, she relies on her little…


Explore my book 😀

One Smile

By Cindy McKinley Alder , Mary Gregg Byrne (illustrator),

Book cover of One Smile

What is my book about?

Even the smallest acts of kindness can powerfully impact the lives of others. My book beautifully demonstrates this truth as readers follow the far-reaching effects of one little girl's innocent smile. 

Young Katie smiles at a sad-looking man who has lost his job. That smile touches his heart and inspires him to do something kind for another person. This circle of giving ripples through a community as people find kind and simple ways to pay it forward. The chain of kindness Katie sets off comes back full circle in a surprise ending.

Book cover of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Book cover of The Last Time They Met
Book cover of Polar Express

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