Parents' Guide to

The End: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 13

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

The misery ends at last -- or does it?

Book Lemony Snicket Humor 2006
The End: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 13 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 5 parent reviews

Daniel L.
Daniel L. Adult
July 31, 2020
age 11+

A depressing book is too depressing

the book master
the book master Adult
August 26, 2013
age 13+

The End

I really think that this is a really great book to read even though it dose have some violence

This title has:

Great role models
Too much violence
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

The Baudelaire orphans -- Klaus, Violet, and Sunny -- are cast up on a desert (but not deserted) island with their nemesis, Count Olaf, and their friend, the very pregnant Kit Snicket. There they find a group of people, led by the mysterious Ishmael ("Call me Ish"), who are determined to stay apart and safe from the world's troubles, and who are the first people besides the Baudelaires who seem to be able to see through Olaf.

But everything eventually washes up on this island, and not only is Olaf still scheming, but the island is intimately related to the Baudelaires' parents and history. Even Ishmael is not what he seems. Much will finally be revealed -- and much will not.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5 ):
Kids say (30 ):

Fans of the A Series of Unfortunate Events books will eat up THE END, and those new to the series won't understand much of it. Adults love the mordant humor. Kids love the melodramatic adventure.

Part mystery, part Dickensian melodrama, with a few touches of fantasy, all served up with a sort of glum hilarity, A Series of Unfortunate Events is like Oliver Twist narrated by Eeyore. With frequent witty explanations of vocabulary, extended cockeyed metaphors, and much tongue-in-cheek woe and misery, it's the kids' version of a mock-tragedy, a literary jape that even those who don't get the joke can enjoy. Anyone worried about the verbal and literary acuity of today's generation can relax -- judging by the popularity of this smart series, something must be going right after all.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the dilemmas in which the Baudelaire children keep finding themselves.

  • How have they been forced to commit acts they regret?

  • Did they have other choices? Are the things they've done really bad?

  • Is it possible for good people with good intentions to do bad things?

  • Also, is it possible to be safe from the turmoils of the world? Is it desirable?

Book Details

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