103 Monologues for Middle School Actors: More Winning Comedy and Dramatic Characterizations

I have never written a review before on Amazon, but felt compelled to write one after reading each monologue in this book-- yes, all 103 of them. I would absolutely NOT recommend this book whatsoever to middle school teens. Nearly every single monologue contains negative jargon, disrespectful behavior, poking fun at someone, teaming up against another, etc. This book, I dare say, provokes and promotes unhealthy behavior towards parents, adults, teachers, peers, and friends. If you don't believe me and continue to order this book, you will clearly see it conveyed: A monologue about a girl who "doesn't like" another girl; two girls don't get invited to a sleepover so they proceed to talk negatively about the sleepover; a monologue about laughing at a zit-faced boy; oh, there's one about a hefty girl; drinking toilet water; how kids shouldn't have a bedtime; how the dad always complains; the mom is mean; the monologue about having a boring life; The monologue about "I don't see the harm in telling little white lies;" the monologue about two men in masks who broke into a slumber party and terrified young girls.Nothing about this book is positive or uplifting. The author would make the claim that she is just trying to write in such a way to connect with middle schoolers, but as a young teacher myself, I find this writing discouraging. Kids have enough of negativity in their lives. They don't need monologues to exacerbate the negatives in life. I love David Sedaris, so I'm not easily phased by raw jargon. This, on the other hand, promotes bad behavior. I did not like this book and will be returning it. Use something in your classroom that is effective for learning--- not this book.

In middle school, weird is the new wow! Young's 103 Monologues for Middle School Actors: More Winning Comedy and Dramatic Characterizations help you and your quirky actors celebrate with titles like: The End of the World is Not Coming, My Brother Thinks He's a Cowboy, I Don't Want to Live in Kansas Anymore, Toto and Lunchtime Loser provide a great fit for gawky misfits--canine or feline, super hero or shrinking violet, night and day. Suitable for auditions, classroom presentations, speech contests, or Do I Have to Practice?