Magnificent Monologues for Kids (Hollywood 101) (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-5-The author's stated intent is to present a series of monologues that children can perform, and sound like actual children while doing so. The pieces are divided between those designated for girls (26 entries) and those for boys (25 pieces). In many cases, the gender is not important, and the divisions may only serve to limit young performers' choices. All of the selections are brief, ranging from a half page to a page and a half. Many focus on typical childhood situations-relationships with parents, siblings, and friends-but a few stretch to fairy-tale or alien scenarios. The characters represent a range of personalities, from those in need of a helping hand to others who are selfish and demanding. While references to current TV-show characters, brand names, movies, and toys give a contemporary feel to the pieces, they will also date them. A helpful glossary defines stage terms in simple language and is followed by a list of movies with good performances by children, suggested as study pieces. Libraries needing material for acting classes, clubs, or youngsters who audition for roles may want to include this book in their collection.
Darcy Schild, Schwegler Elementary School, Lawrence, KS
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-8. Stevens, a children's acting coach, begins by explaining how monologues are used to audition for roles, noting that the best ones for the purpose are less than two minutes in length. Fifty-one monologues are included, with one section of the book devoted to monologues for boys, another to monologues for girls. Though some of the references in the pieces will date quickly, Stevens' selections represent a good range of emotion and contain natural-sounding language. Many of the girls portrayed display unattractive qualities (greed, shallowness, vanity); the boys struggle with real-life problems--dealing with a bully, or with a father's expectations. Still, this may fill a gap in library collections, whether as a source for auditioning material or for short oral presentations. Susan Dove Lempke

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 71 pages
• Publisher: Sandcastle Publishing (February 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883995086
• ISBN-13: 978-1883995089
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #57,888 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Kids love it!, October 11, 1999

By A Customer

I now own 24-Carat Commericals for kids, and Magnificent Monologues for kids and I am one happy acting teacher! For the past 15 years I have been in the acting business doing commercials, movies, theatre etc. Everytime I took an acting class there were always plenty of scenes and monologues to choose from. But when I started teaching children this past spring I began to realize that good contemporary material for kids was hard to come by. I made a few purchases from Amazon.com and Manificent Monoluges for Kids was one of them. Needless to say the kids waited in line to use this book to select a monolgue rather than use the others. I have my own children (ages 6 & 9) and just reading through some of the dialogue I realized that Chambers Stevens knew how to connect with kids. When I received the commercial book I knew within 10 minutes that it was a winner. Chambers is making my job as a teacher easier and much more fun!

Please put me on the waiting list for Sensational Scenes for Kids, Sensatational Scenes for Teens, and Stand-up Comedy for Kids

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars *RAD!*, March 28, 2004

By	Erica (Minneapolis) - See all my reviews

I'm 11 and I love Magnificent Monologues for Kids. I have used monologues out of this book to do commercial, film, and stage auditions. He writes like kids speak. Casting directors are always asking me "where did you get that monologue?". I have booked national commericals and films using Chambers monologues. Chambers ROCKS!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!!!, February 2, 1999

By A Customer

I recently came across MAGNIFICENT MONOLOGUES FOR KIDS when my daughter's agent got her an audition for the National Touring company of ANNIE. She was required to do a monologue so my husband and I bought a couple of Monologue books. Well MAGNIFICENT MONOLOGUES was by far the best. Our daughter liked so many of them she had a hard time making up her mind which one to audition with. Long Story short my daughter got a callback! Great book