Dickens & Rumi

book

The Last

Katherine Applegate · 2018

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for The Last by Katherine Applegate. This book is content notes include Death of a character, Frightening scenes, Violence; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Creativity & curiosity.

Book 1 · EndlingSource checked

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsDeath of a character 3/5 · Frightening scenes 3/5 · Violence 3/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 5/5 · Creativity & curiosity 4/5
Series positionBook 1 · Endling
Recommendation4.3/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Death of a character 3/5
Recommendation 4.3/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
13Scored categories
13Evidence notes
0Explicit 0/5 checks
Nov 6, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

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Review depth13 scored categories13 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character3/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Violence3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience5/5
  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Good role models4/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

Next volumeBook 2 · ENDLING: THE FIRSTStrongest cautions: Death of a character 3/5 · Frightening scenes 3/5Open next review →
  1. Book 1 · The Last
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 2 · ENDLING: THE FIRSTAges 10+
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  3. Book 3 · Endling - The OnlyAges 10+
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Graphic injury1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense

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What’s in it?

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

The central premise involves the death of Byx's pack and the extinction of her species, which is treated with significant emotional weight.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Injuries are mentioned in the context of the hunt, but there is no graphic or gratuitous detail.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

The language is mild and appropriate for the intended younger audience.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

The book focuses on friendship, loyalty, and companionship rather than romantic subplots.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Young characters face predators, pursuit, capture, persecution, and the possible extinction of their species. The danger is sustained but presented as fantasy adventure rather than horror.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Frequent fantasy peril includes attacks, hunting, imprisonment, battles, threats, and characters defending themselves; violence is not graphically described.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience5/5
Why this rating?

Courage is central: young characters confront danger, injustice, captivity, and uncertainty while protecting others.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

The imaginative world-building, invented species, survival challenges, and problem-solving strongly encourage curiosity and imagination.

Diverse representation3/5
Why this rating?

Multiple intelligent species and cultures are portrayed with distinct perspectives; the fantasy setting explores prejudice and exclusion.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

Encourages critical thinking about human-animal relations and environmental stewardship.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Care, friendship, cooperation, and compassion across differences are central to the protagonists’ survival and choices.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Strong themes affirm empathy, solidarity, protecting vulnerable communities, resisting prejudice, and preserving hope despite oppression.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

Characters show loyalty, resourcefulness, moral growth, and willingness to protect others, while also making understandable mistakes.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in The Last would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in The Last, and what caused that change?
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