The Way I See It

by Kimberly A Mccormick

Overview

The real-life values of contemporary teenagers are explored in this collection of insightful monologs. Each expresses an opinion of a situation, issue or problem. Subjects include love, sex, movies, dating, friendship, drinking, accepting responsibility, divorce, school violence, jobs, gratitude, curfews, sexual harassment, internet relationships, the homeless, neglect, racism, patriotism and many more. Excellent for classroom performance and discussion of teen issues. The two minute length of these monologs makes memorization easy. Perfect for speech contests, acting exercises and auditions.
Sample titles include: I Need Cash, Cheating, The Prom, S.A.D.D., Cruisin', Grounded for Life, A Broken Heart.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781566080729
Publisher:	Meriwether Publishing, Limited
Publication date:	04/19/2001
Edition description:	1 ED
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.27(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

Table of Contents

	Introduction	1
1.	A Promise to Non-Violence: Opinion on school violence	3
2.	Cheating: Opinion on cheating on schoolwork	5
3.	A Broken Heart: Opinion on what "love" means	8
4.	Accepting Death: Opinion on living life to its fullest	10
5.	The Prom--Who Thought Up Such a Stupid Idea?: Opinion on the waste of money spent on prom	12
6.	I Want to Quit!: Opinion on minimum-wage jobs	14
7.	S.A.D.D.: Opinion on drinking and driving	16
8.	A Few Minutes of Fun: Opinion on premarital sex	18
9.	Happily Ever After? Yeah, Right!: Opinion on divorce	20
10.	Grounded for Life!: Opinion on unfair discipline	22
11.	R-rated Movies--What's the Big Deal?: Opinion on viewing R-rated movies when under age 17	25
12.	Cruisin': Opinion on driving the family car	27
13.	My Parents Are Dating!: Opinion on single parents dating again	29
14.	I Have Got to Get Some Wheels!: Opinion on needing a car	32
15.	Organ Donation--Should I?: Opinion on organ donation	34
16.	Sometimes It's Hard to Say "I'm Sorry": Opinion on accepting responsibility	36
17.	Vacation Blues: Opinion on friends coming along on family vacations	39
18.	Don't Take Anything for Granted: Opinion on appreciating all you have	41
19.	A Moral Judgment: Opinion on overlooking people's mistakes	44
20.	What Is a Family? Opinion on family responsibilities	46
21.	Why Do People Change? Opinion on friendships changing	48
22.	Nobody Has to Be Home by Ten-thirty! Opinion on curfews	50
23.	On Harassment: Opinion on sexual harassment	52
24.	I Won't Experiment on Animals! Opinion on animal dissection in the schools	54
25.	What Harm Could It Be? Opinion on Internet relationships	56
26.	Home Sweet Home: Opinion on being homeless	58
27.	Head of the Class: Opinion on class rank	60
28.	New Driving Laws: Opinion on new driver's state regulations	62
29.	Why Am I Here? Opinion on neglect	64
30.	Racism Is, Sadly, Alive and Well: Opinion on racism	66
31.	A Patriotic Tribute: Opinion on reviving patriotism	69
32.	Free to Dream: Opinion on achieving one's dreams	71
33.	Is No One Allowed to Date Anymore? Opinion on dating	73
34.	Can You Be Friends after Dating? Opinion on friendship after dating	75
35.	Do Something Worthwhile with Your Life! Opinion on community service	77
36.	College-Bound? Or Not? Opinion on going to college	80
37.	Get Educated! Opinion on minimum-wage jobs	82
38.	Making a Big Mistake: Opinion on truth and consequences	84
39.	Baby-sitting: Opinion on unfair treatment of baby sitters	86
40.	Politics Anyone? Doubtful! Opinion on morality in politics	89
41.	Pay Your Fair Share: Opinion on fairness	91
42.	Are All Illegal Drugs Really Bad for You? Opinion on marijuana for the sick	93
43.	Most of the Time, the Grass Is Not Greener over There: Opinion on appreciating your family	95
44.	Watching Grandma's House: Opinion on responsibility	98
45.	What's All the Fuss over School Vouchers? Opinion on school vouchers	101
46.	Bigotry, Alive and Well: Opinion on biracial relationships	103
47.	Affording College: Opinion on finding college funds	105
48.	Retire If You're Burned Out! Opinion on "burned-out" teachers	107
49.	Think Safe! Opinion on staying safe	109
50.	Save the Earth: Opinion on preserving our earth	112
	About the Author	115

Editorial Reviews

In an earlier critique of Tough Acts to Follow by Shirley Ullom (Meriwether, 2000/VOYA April 2001), this reviewer criticized the book's use as a collection of monologues for young actors. This opinion was based on the belief that actors, be they adult or teen, should learn their craft with passages cut from longer works in which there is the opportunity for an examination of the complete text for character and plot development, literary merit, and research. McCormick's book advertises itself for use in speech competitions, acting exercises, discussion starters, auditions, and classroom use. Although the book can be supported wholeheartedly for most of its intended uses, reducing the study of acting to memorizing monologues that have no context to the actor seems most unfortunate. To use a series of well-designed speeches as a platform for dialogue and classroom discussion, however, seems right on the money, creating a work whose time has come. Some of the topics include the importance of using nonviolence to solve disputes, cheating, death, divorce, organ donation, biracial relationships, patriotism, homelessness, and racism. If these pieces are to be used for discussion starters or classroom use, then by all means add this book to public library and school collections. It uniquely inspires and delights the reader and speaker with its wonderful prose, and can be recommended with the above disclaimer for all young adult media centers and public libraries. VOYA CODES: 4Q 2P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined asgrades 10 to 12). 2001, Meriwether Publishing, 115p, $14.95 Trade pb. Ages 11 to 18. Reviewer: Stefani Koorey

VOYA