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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  [Dedication](9780062071262_Contents.xhtml#ded01)
  
  
  To Julia
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Contents
  
  
  [Dedication](9780062071262_Dedication.xhtml#ded01)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Prologue](9780062071262_Prologue.xhtml#pro01)
  
  
  [Ashyn: One](9780062071262_Chapter_1.xhtml#cha1)
  
  
  [Two](9780062071262_Chapter_2.xhtml#cha2)
  
  
  [Three](9780062071262_Chapter_3.xhtml#cha3)
  
  
  [Four](9780062071262_Chapter_4.xhtml#cha4)
  
  
  [Five](9780062071262_Chapter_5.xhtml#cha5)
  
  
  [Six](9780062071262_Chapter_6.xhtml#cha6)
  
  
  [Seven](9780062071262_Chapter_7.xhtml#cha7)
  
  
  [Eight](9780062071262_Chapter_8.xhtml#cha8)
  
  
  [Moria: Nine](9780062071262_Chapter_9.xhtml#cha9)
  
  
  [Ten](9780062071262_Chapter_10.xhtml#cha10)
  
  
  [Eleven](9780062071262_Chapter_11.xhtml#cha11)
  
  
  [Twelve](9780062071262_Chapter_12.xhtml#cha12)
  
  
  [Thirteen](9780062071262_Chapter_13.xhtml#cha13)
  
  
  [Ashyn: Fourteen](9780062071262_Chapter_14.xhtml#cha14)
  
  
  [Fifteen](9780062071262_Chapter_15.xhtml#cha1