Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Fish in a Tree. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Ally Nickerson, who has hidden her dyslexia for years by acting out, is helped by her new teacher Mr. Daniels to learn to read in new ways. By the end, with her friends Keisha and Albert beside her, she stands up to the class bully Shay and realizes that being different is not the same as being stupid.
Quick facts
– Book: Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
– First published: 2015
– Type: A middle-grade novel
– Tone of the ending: Uplifting
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Ally has moved schools seven times. She believes she is dumb because letters dance on the page. She hides it by causing trouble. Her substitute teacher, Mr. Daniels, notices she is smart and suspects dyslexia. Ally befriends Keisha, who is new and bold, and Albert, a brainy boy who is bullied.
What Happens at the End of Fish in a Tree
Mr. Daniels starts meeting Ally after school, playing chess with her and teaching her reading strategies that work for her brain. He tells her she has dyslexia and that many brilliant people do too, which changes how she sees herself. Ally, Keisha and Albert become a tight group of outsiders, and Albert, who is being beaten up by older boys, finally fights back with their support. In class, Shay keeps mocking Ally, but other students begin to see how clever and creative Ally is, especially through her drawings in her 'Sketchbook of Impossible Things.' Ally speaks up for herself and her friends, and the class starts to treat her differently. She ends the book proud of who she is.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Ally learns to read.
- Ally stands up to Shay with her friends.
- Ally gains friends.
- Ally sees her worth.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Ally Nickerson | Learns to read |
| Mr. Daniels | Ally's teacher |
| Keisha | Ally's friend |
| Albert | Ally's friend |
| Shay | The bully |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows everyone is smart in different ways.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers love the message about learning differences, summed up in the saying the title comes from: if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will believe it is stupid. Many teachers use it to start conversations about dyslexia.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Learning. Ally learns differently.
Friendship. The three friends.
Courage. Ally stands up.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Fish in a Tree as uplifting. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Lynda Mullaly Hunt to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are uplifting will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Lynda Mullaly Hunt closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Fish in a Tree with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about learning, and do you agree with Lynda Mullaly Hunt's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as uplifting, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces learning and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Lynda Mullaly Hunt leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in Fish in a Tree often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Fish in a Tree earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of Fish in a Tree on Amazon
Books to Read After Fish in a Tree
- Wonder by R.J. Palacio
- Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
Related: Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like Fish in a Tree You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Fish in a Tree?
Ally Nickerson, who has hidden her dyslexia for years by acting out, is helped by her new teacher Mr. Daniels to learn to read in new ways. By the end, with her friends Keisha and Albert beside her, she stands up to the class bully Shay and realizes that being different is not the same as being stupid.
Is the ending of Fish in a Tree happy or sad?
Most readers call it uplifting.
What does the ending of Fish in a Tree mean?
The ending shows everyone is smart in different ways.
Who wrote Fish in a Tree and when was it published?
Fish in a Tree was written by Lynda Mullaly Hunt and first published in 2015.
Is Fish in a Tree worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy middle-grade novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Lynda Mullaly Hunt prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Fish in a Tree before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.