Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Small Great Things. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Ruth Jefferson, a Black nurse accused of causing the death of a white supremacist couple's baby, is cleared when the judge dismisses the case after her lawyer Kennedy McQuarrie raises race in court. Years later Ruth runs her own nursing practice, and Turk Bauer, the baby's father, has left the movement and speaks against hate.
Quick facts
– Book: Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
– First published: 2016
– Type: A legal drama
– Tone of the ending: Thought-provoking and hopeful
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Ruth, an experienced labour and delivery nurse, is told not to touch Davis Bauer, the newborn son of white supremacists Turk and Brittany. When Ruth is alone with the baby, he stops breathing, and she hesitates before trying to help. The baby dies, and Ruth is charged with murder. Kennedy, a white public defender, takes the case.
What Happens at the End of Small Great Things
In court, Ruth testifies honestly about her fears. Kennedy decides to talk openly about racism in the trial. The judge dismisses the charges after evidence shows the baby had a rare metabolic disorder that the hospital missed. Brittany learns her own mother was Black, a secret that shakes everything she believed. Years later, Ruth runs a clinic, and Turk, now reformed, gives talks about leaving hate behind.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- The baby died from an undiagnosed condition.
- Kennedy learns to confront racism openly.
- Brittany's mother's secret upends her beliefs.
- Turk turns away from hate.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Ruth Jefferson | Cleared and opens her own practice |
| Kennedy McQuarrie | Learns about her own bias |
| Turk Bauer | Leaves the white supremacist movement |
| Brittany Bauer | Learns the truth about her own family |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows how racism affects everyone and how people can change.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers find the redemption of Turk too neat, while others appreciate the hopeful message. The book has been debated for a white author telling a Black character's story.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Racism. Prejudice shapes every part of the case.
Justice. The legal system must face its blind spots.
Change. Even Turk can turn away from hate.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Small Great Things as thought-provoking and hopeful. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Jodi Picoult 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 thought-provoking and hopeful will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Jodi Picoult 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 Small Great Things 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 racism, and do you agree with Jodi Picoult'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 thought-provoking and hopeful, 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 racism 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 Jodi Picoult 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 Small Great Things often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Small Great Things 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 Small Great Things on Amazon
Books to Read After Small Great Things
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
- My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Related: Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like Small Great Things You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Small Great Things?
Ruth Jefferson, a Black nurse accused of causing the death of a white supremacist couple's baby, is cleared when the judge dismisses the case after her lawyer Kennedy McQuarrie raises race in court. Years later Ruth runs her own nursing practice, and Turk Bauer, the baby's father, has left the movement and speaks against hate.
Is the ending of Small Great Things happy or sad?
Most readers call it thought-provoking and hopeful.
What does the ending of Small Great Things mean?
The ending shows how racism affects everyone and how people can change.
Who wrote Small Great Things and when was it published?
Small Great Things was written by Jodi Picoult and first published in 2016.
Is Small Great Things worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy legal dramas. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Jodi Picoult prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Small Great Things before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.