Perfect for anyone who loves a good friendship story and a love of theater. Maggie's Big Break is a testament to the power of following your dreams and the importance of never giving up. Jennifer Dickinson's debut novel, Maggie's Big Break , is a powerful middle grade novel about Maggie Pierson, a theater-loving girl with a stutter. Maggie Pierson is an 11-year-old aspiring actress starting sixth grade at a new school with her best friend, Francesca. Their first day is full of shared dreams about auditioning for the school's fall play, Dahlia Rockets to Space . But they're not the only one's looking to audition. Valentine, an experienced actress who has been in a commercial and a movie, has her eye set on the play's lead role and a new friend. Francesca falls under the spell of Valentine, the know-it-all actress who teases Maggie about her stutter. Maggie's disability has never held her back from performing before, but in the face of new insecurities and her best friend's abandonment, quitting seems like Maggie's best choice. How will Maggie find the courage to pursue her big acting dreams?