Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Walk Two Moons. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Thirteen-year-old Salamanca “Sal” Hiddle reaches Lewiston, Idaho, on a cross-country trip with her grandparents and finally accepts what she has known all along: her mother died in a bus crash there and is buried on the hillside. Gramps lets her drive the last stretch, Gram dies of a stroke, and Sal returns home to Kentucky, at peace.
Quick facts
– Book: Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
– First published: 1994
– Type: A middle-grade novel
– Tone of the ending: Heartbreaking and healing
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Sal's mother left Kentucky to find herself, and Sal believes she will bring her home. On the road, Sal tells her grandparents the story of her friend Phoebe Winterbottom, whose mother also leaves. Sal's grandparents are lively and funny, and Gram is bitten by a snake.
What Happens at the End of Walk Two Moons
Gram has a stroke and dies in a hospital in Idaho. Sal drives the last miles alone. She sees the bus wreck site and her mother's grave. She accepts the truth. Back home, Sal makes peace with Mrs. Cadaver, her father's friend, who was sitting next to her mother on the bus and survived. Phoebe's mother also returns home, with a son she had given up long ago.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Sal's mother is dead.
- Gram dies.
- Sal accepts her loss.
- Phoebe's mother returns.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Sal Hiddle | Accepts her mother's death |
| Gram Hiddle | Dies |
| Gramps Hiddle | Returns home |
| Phoebe Winterbottom | Her mother returns |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows the power of facing grief.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers find the slow reveal of Sal's mother's death moving, since clues are hidden in plain sight from the first chapters. The title comes from the saying “Don't judge a man until you've walked two moons in his moccasins,” one of the messages Phoebe's family receives.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Grief. Sal grieves.
Family. Sal's family.
Journey. The road trip heals.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Walk Two Moons as heartbreaking and healing. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Sharon Creech 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 heartbreaking and healing will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Sharon Creech 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 Walk Two Moons 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 grief, and do you agree with Sharon Creech'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 heartbreaking and healing, 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 grief 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 Sharon Creech 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 Walk Two Moons often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Walk Two Moons 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 Walk Two Moons on Amazon
Books to Read After Walk Two Moons
- Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech
- Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
Related: Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like Walk Two Moons You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Walk Two Moons?
Thirteen-year-old Salamanca “Sal” Hiddle reaches Lewiston, Idaho, on a cross-country trip with her grandparents and finally accepts what she has known all along: her mother died in a bus crash there and is buried on the hillside. Gramps lets her drive the last stretch, Gram dies of a stroke, and Sal returns home to Kentucky, at peace.
Is the ending of Walk Two Moons happy or sad?
Most readers call it heartbreaking and healing.
What does the ending of Walk Two Moons mean?
The ending shows the power of facing grief.
Who wrote Walk Two Moons and when was it published?
Walk Two Moons was written by Sharon Creech and first published in 1994.
Is Walk Two Moons 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 Sharon Creech prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Walk Two Moons before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.