What does Holling realize at the end of the story?

Holling struggles in school, but through his friendship to his teacher, and by using his newfound knowledge from Shakespeare, Holling begins navigating his social dilemma more successfully, although the final confrontation where Holling will navigate his relationship to his father is not included in the book. Instead the book ends without a clear finale, implying that Holling will keep practicing the skills of his independence.