57 pages 1 hour read

Katherine Applegate

The Last: Endling #1

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2018

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Katherine Applegate's Endling: The Last, Byx, a young dairne—an intelligent, dog-like creature—embarks on a perilous journey after her pack is killed by the Murdano's soldiers. Rescued by Khara, a girl posing as a boy to work as a poacher, and accompanied by new friends including Tobble the wobbyk, Byx seeks to uncover the truth about her species' survival amidst threats and dangers. Themes of loss and violence against animals.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

The Last by Katherine Applegate captivates readers with its imaginative world-building and strong, relatable characters. Positive feedback praises its emotional depth and engaging plot. However, some critique the pacing as uneven and the ending as slightly rushed. Overall, it is a compelling read for middle-grade audiences, blending adventure with meaningful themes.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Last?

Readers who relish adventurous, heartwarming animal tales like Kathryn Lasky's Guardians of Ga'Hoole or Erin Hunter's Warriors series will find themselves captivated by Katherine Applegate's The Last. Ideal for middle-grade readers who appreciate themes of friendship, bravery, and survival in richly imagined worlds.

RecommendedReading Age

8-12years

Lexile Level

690L

Book Details

Genre

Children's Literature

Fantasy

Action / Adventure

Topics

Animals

Themes

Self Discovery

Life/Time: Coming of Age

Relationships: Friendship