title: The Absolute, Ultimate End: A Novel
author:  Julia First 
description: Grade 5-8 One of the themes of this story is a contemporary teen's changing attitude toward the handicapped. Eighth-grade Maggie Thayer wants to sign up for the Dramatics Club, hoping to become close friends with ninth-grader Stevie Garber. Interfering with her plans is a teacher's request that she tutor Doreen, a blind girl, a request that she cannot refuse. Another complication is that Maggie's father is asked to run for the school board on a platform that would reduce spending for all extracurricular activities, as well as programs for the handicapped. Doreen's strength and refusal to accept pity inspire Maggie to organize a protest against spending cuts, and this unites the handicapped kids with others at school as they pursue a common goal. In spite of a pat ending which wraps up the whole plot on the last page, and some loose ends and unmentioned problems caused by the solution, the various plot lines are interesting, the dialogue lively and humorous, and the characters well-rounded, with the possible exception of Steve, who seems a trifle too mature for a ninth grader. Maggie's anxiety about working with Doreen is believable, yet so is her change of heart. Middle school readers will enjoy this book mostly because of Maggie, whose motivations and frustrations are so like their own. Phyllis Graves, Creekwood Middle School, Kingwood, Tex.<br />Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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  ![Full Page Image](images/vellum-mtc-title-page.png)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, incidents, tirades,
  opinions, exaggerations, prevarications, and dubious facts either are the
  products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance
  to actual events or persons—living, dead, or otherwise—is entirely
  coincidental.
  
  
  Maybe This Christmas. Copyright © 2019 by Susannah Nix
  
  
  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by
  any electronic or mechanical means without written permission from the author.
  
  
  FIRST EDITION: October 2019
  
  
  ISBN: 978-1-950087-03-7
  
  
  Haver Street Press | 448 W. 19th St., Suite 407 | Houston, TX 77008
  
  
  Edited by Julia Ganis, [www.juliaedits.com](http://www.juliaedits.com)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### Contents
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  1\. [Alex](chapter-001.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  2\. [Lucas](chapter-002.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  3\. [Alex](chapter-003.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  4\. [Lucas](chapter-004.x