Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Tomorrow, When the War Began. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Ellie and her friends blow up Heron Bridge to stop an invading army, but Lee is wounded and Corrie is shot in the back. Kevin drives Corrie to the hospital and surrenders, and the remaining group returns to their hidden valley, called Hell, determined to keep fighting.
Quick facts
– Book: Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden
– First published: 1993
– Type: A young adult war novel
– Tone of the ending: Tense and open
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Ellie and six friends go camping in a remote valley in Australia. When they return, their town is empty, their families have been taken to the showgrounds, and soldiers from an unnamed foreign power have invaded. The teenagers hide in Hell and decide to resist.
What Happens at the End of Tomorrow, When the War Began
The group plans to destroy Heron Bridge to cut the enemy's supply route. Ellie drives a petrol tanker onto the bridge and sets it alight, and the bridge collapses. During the raids, Lee is shot in the leg, and Corrie is badly wounded. Kevin takes Corrie to the hospital, knowing he will be captured. Ellie, Homer, Fi, Lee and Robyn retreat to Hell. Ellie writes their story so people will know what happened.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- The teens strike a real blow against the invaders.
- Corrie's injury shows the cost of fighting.
- Kevin's surrender is an act of loyalty.
- The group chooses to keep going.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Ellie Linton | Writes the story and leads the group |
| Corrie | Badly wounded and taken to hospital |
| Kevin | Surrenders to get Corrie care |
| Lee | Recovers from his wound in Hell |
| Homer | Becomes a strong leader |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows ordinary teenagers forced into hard moral choices. Ellie's writing turns their experience into a record of courage and fear.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers see the ending as a cliffhanger, since six sequels follow. Others focus on Ellie's questions about whether violence can be right.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Courage. The friends act despite their fear.
Morality. Ellie wonders if killing in war makes her a bad person.
Friendship. The group relies on each other to survive.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Tomorrow, When the War Began as tense and open. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected John Marsden 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 tense and open will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how John Marsden 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 2010 film ends on a similar cliffhanger after the bridge explosion.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Tomorrow, When the War Began 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 courage, and do you agree with John Marsden'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 tense and open, 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 courage 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 John Marsden 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 Tomorrow, When the War Began often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Tomorrow, When the War Began 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 Tomorrow, When the War Began on Amazon
Books to Read After Tomorrow, When the War Began
- The Dead of the Night by John Marsden
- Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Related: Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like Tomorrow, When the War Began You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Tomorrow, When the War Began?
Ellie and her friends blow up Heron Bridge to stop an invading army, but Lee is wounded and Corrie is shot in the back. Kevin drives Corrie to the hospital and surrenders, and the remaining group returns to their hidden valley, called Hell, determined to keep fighting.
Is the ending of Tomorrow, When the War Began happy or sad?
Most readers call it tense and open.
What does the ending of Tomorrow, When the War Began mean?
The ending shows ordinary teenagers forced into hard moral choices.
Is the ending of Tomorrow, When the War Began the same in the adaptation?
The 2010 film ends on a similar cliffhanger after the bridge explosion.
Who wrote Tomorrow, When the War Began and when was it published?
Tomorrow, When the War Began was written by John Marsden and first published in 1993.
Is Tomorrow, When the War Began worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy young adult war novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how John Marsden prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Tomorrow, When the War Began before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.