Monologues for Young Adults: 60 Original Monologues to Stand Out, Inspire, and Shine offers mature teens to those in their 20s and 30s a gender-neutral, ethnically inclusive set of monologues that require no props or costumes. Mike Kimmel excels in creating short pieces that not only teach budding actors about delivery and acting choices, but translate philosophical and social inspection onto the stage.

Mike Kimmel's monologues join other books in the Professional Actors series, providing the opportunity to not only absorb acting basics, but consider the special opportunities the monologue represents, in general, through these original social inspections.

Real-world topics combine with ethical considerations and conflicts, creating monologues that are in sync with and appropriate for thinking young adults.

Aspiring actors need a wide range of materials to utilize in the practice and evolution of their craft. These selections lend equally strongly to individual practice, classroom, and stage pursuit.

An introduction of basics, including how to get into character and "tame your voice," leads to such works as the first piece, "No Competition," which opens: "Call me a rebel, but I like to see people happy and successful. Life should be a beautiful journey, not a no-holds-barred fight to the finish." The monologue goes on to explore the process of "becoming the best possible version of ourselves" - an effort which really involves no competition.

These monologues are so short that one might wonder at their potential for powerful diversity and lessons. Wonder not, because each piece packs a punch into a minimum of words, requiring actors to create the accompanying power of delivery that often proves elusive on stage.

Any library collection strong in acting books in general and monologues in particular should have Monologues for Young Adults. Its strength lies not just in lessons about diversity, delivery, and acting choices; but in its range of appropriate subjects that test the boundaries of the young actor's talents and his or her belief systems and social and ethical choices in life.             
~ Midwest Book Review