Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Stuart Little. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Stuart Little, a mouse born into a human family in New York, sets off to find his friend Margalo, a bird who fled after hearing a cat plotting to eat her. The book ends without him finding her: Stuart drives north in his tiny car, feeling he is heading in the right direction.
Quick facts
– Book: Stuart Little by E.B. White
– First published: 1945
– Type: A children's novel
– Tone of the ending: Open and hopeful
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Stuart is born to the Little family and has adventures around New York, sailing a toy boat in Central Park and getting stuck in a drain. Margalo, a bird, comes to live with the family and saves Stuart from a garbage scow. The family cat, Snowbell, and another cat plan to eat Margalo, so she flies away.
What Happens at the End of Stuart Little
Heartbroken, Stuart sets off from New York to find Margalo. His friend, a dentist named Dr. Carey, gives him a tiny gasoline-powered car that can turn invisible. On the road, Stuart fills in as a substitute teacher for a day and leads the class in a discussion about what matters most in life. In the town of Ames' Crossing, he meets Harriet Ames, a girl as small as he is, and invites her canoeing, but when his canoe is damaged by boys, he sulks, and the date ends badly. Stuart drives on. He stops to talk with a telephone repairman, who tells him that north is a fine direction to travel. Stuart heads north, believing he will find Margalo.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Stuart searches for Margalo.
- He never finds her.
- The ending is open.
- Stuart keeps hoping.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Stuart Little | Keeps searching |
| Margalo | Flew away |
| Snowbell | The family cat |
| Harriet Ames | Stuart's date |
What the Ending Means
The ending celebrates the journey and the hope of finding what you love.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers debate whether the open ending is frustrating or perfect.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Adventure. Stuart explores.
Friendship. Stuart and Margalo.
Hope. Stuart keeps going.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Stuart Little as open and hopeful. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected E.B. White 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 open 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 E.B. White 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.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1999 film changes the story, adding a family adoption plot and a happy ending.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Stuart Little 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 adventure, and do you agree with E.B. White'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 open 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 adventure 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 E.B. White 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 Stuart Little often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Stuart Little 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?
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Books to Read After Stuart Little
- Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
- The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
Related: Stuart Little by E.B. White: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like Stuart Little You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Stuart Little?
Stuart Little, a mouse born into a human family in New York, sets off to find his friend Margalo, a bird who fled after hearing a cat plotting to eat her. The book ends without him finding her: Stuart drives north in his tiny car, feeling he is heading in the right direction.
Is the ending of Stuart Little happy or sad?
Most readers call it open and hopeful.
What does the ending of Stuart Little mean?
The ending celebrates the journey and the hope of finding what you love.
Is the ending of Stuart Little the same in the adaptation?
The 1999 film changes the story, adding a family adoption plot and a happy ending.
Who wrote Stuart Little and when was it published?
Stuart Little was written by E.B. White and first published in 1945.
Is Stuart Little worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy children's novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how E.B. White prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Stuart Little before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.