For about as long as he’s been a published author, John Green has faced efforts to censor his books.
His debut novel, “Looking for Alaska,” a coming-of-age story that includes references to drug use and sex, has been challenged in schools for at least 15 years, and has frequently landed on the American Library Association’s most banned books list.
Last year, it received more than 50 challenges in schools across the country.
But a recent dust-up over whether his books are appropriate for teens feels more personal, and like an escalation of a growing movement to ban and restrict access to books, Green said.
A public library in his home state of Indiana implemented a new policy earlier this year requiring library staff to remove any books with sexually explicit content from the children’s and teens section and re-shelve them in the adult collection.
Persons:
John Green, Green, Judy Blume, Laurie Halse Anderson, ”
Organizations:
American, Hamilton East Public Library
Locations:
Alaska, ”, Indiana, Indianapolis