"Take a 15-minute trip to a Big-Box store and you'll see the Girls' aisle dominated by pink toys" says Anne Mayoral in her article 'What is a "Girl Toy'?", published in MAKE magazine volume 41. According to her, most toymakers unintentionally send the message that girls cannot be good at math and science by rarely making toys directed to girls, that encourage play concerning these traditionally boyish subjects. Girls' whole lives can be determined by the toys they play with, she suggests. Her article primarily describes several ways in which toymakers and parents are trying to change this toy-making trend. In addition, she includes a thoughtful list of "STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math)" toys, that are good choices for girls.
       
          The author writes this informative article with compassion and a true belief in her subject. The author has direct experience in the sciences and technology as a rocket scientist, industrial designer and teacher in a hands-on STEAM program for girls. In this concise article she presents two solutions used by toymakers. One option is to make STEAM focused gender neutral toys, or STEAM toys, focused towards girls. She also presents her own personal immediate solution, "instead, the goal is to offer a variety of toys and a chance for hands-on discovery and making, either at home or in the local maker space, and then we let them choose for themselves". Without parents giving a label to girl and boy toys the children get a non-biased opinion on what to play with and who they are supposed to become.

          Even though this article is opinion based, with no scientific evidence, Mayoral's authoritative tone is strong and persuasive. Having no scientific evidence is okay because her professional expertise is evident by her credentials. It would have strengthened  the article however, to have included a personal narrative. What toys did she play with when she was a kid, and what was her parents opinion on gender based toys?  I personally agree with her suggestion, because I have an experience of my own. One of my summer camps involved a lot of woodworking and using power tools. Regardless of anyone's age or gender every camper had the same opportunities. What might come as a surprise to most, was that more boys, including me, participated in the knitting activity where as there were more girls participated in the welding activity.

          No one wants woman and girls to think they can't pursue careers in math and science just because when they grew up as kids they were deprived of these play opportunities. To make her point Mayoral quotes The National Institute for Play, "Play shapes our brains, creates our competencies and ballasts our emotions." I agree with her in every way possible and would add that boys should also not have limits placed on them and have  the freedom to choose what they want play with. She doesn't leave you hanging with her opinion alone, she provides a creative list of toys and projects that will help your daughter expand her imagination way beyond barbies and dollhouses.

          The book Perks of Being a Wallflower has been a controversial topic for teachers and parents for a long time. I myself have read the book and I understand that the book has lots of sex, drugs, and curses. The book, written by Stephen Chbosky, is about fifteen-year-old Charlie who is starting high school. The reason schools might want to ban Perks of Being a Wallflower is because it may make kids think its OK to use or abuse drugs.

          Most people Have experience with drugs and alcohol at parties where they are peer-pressured or just given the option. During the party at Bob's house after a football game, which is any other day for Charlie, he is offered a brownie. Being very naive, he ate  it not knowing it was a pot brownie. When he starts to trip out, people start laughing at him because he is really confused. The people around him are not shocked at all, and act as if it is normal. This makes young readers think that doing drugs is normal and no big deal. Drugs are dangerous and can very easily ruin your life. Though you may think its cool and normal, as portrayed in the book, it’s not and should be something taken very seriously.

          Another time someone may take drugs is if they think it is an "escape". One example of drug abuse is at Bob's house, for a New Years Eve party. Charlie takes some sort of tablet and soon starts seeing things. Some people do drugs for fun, which is still bad, but he is taking them so he can ignore the fact that someone he loves doesn't love him. Once again he is taking drugs at a party which may influence kids to think that you have to take drugs at parties. After reading this section of the book I felt a tiny bit influenced but soon shook the feeling off. I also have no experience with drugs whatsoever and I personally do not agree with people taking them. This just shows that if one naive teen comes across this book they could be seriously influenced.

          This book might influence some one to do drugs and make them think its OK. This is just one of the reasons that teachers want to ban The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Another reason is that some teachers don’t feel comfortable about talking to their students about drugs. I can understand why some teachers are scared. It’s a big deal to talk to kids about drugs, and they don’t want their students to take it the wrong way.  I know that some parents don't want their children from reading certain books, but that shouldn't prevent everyone else from reading them.