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John Greencriticized an Indiana library system after it pulled his novelThe Fault in Our Starsfrom shelves in its Young Adult section.
The Indianapolis native, 45, spoke out against the Hamilton East Public Library Board of Trustees' decision to move the book, along with hundreds of other titles, to a different section of its libraries in Fisher, Indiana and Noblesville, Indiana. This decision stems from a new policy that targets books that are considered not “age-appropriate,” according toUSA Today.
Greencontinued, “I only have a small voice in these decisions, of course, but you won’t catch me alive or dead in Fishers, Indiana until these ridiculous policies are revoked.”
The Fault in Our Starswas relocated from the teen to the general section of the library “based on criteria included in the Board-approvedHamilton East Public Library Collection Development Policy,” Hamilton East Public Library said in a statement toUSA Today. “This policy also includes a process for patrons to object to the placement of any item in the collection.”
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Under the public library board’s amended policy, the novel will no longer be placed in the YA sections in Noblesville and Fishers library branches. Instead, it will be moved to the general collection. According toNBC News, Green’s novelLooking For Alaskawill also be relocated to the general fiction section of the Indiana libraries.
The updated policy states that “for children and teens, the Library will work to ensure that collections are age appropriate in topic and placement of materials… Patrons should understand some children’s books may reside in the general collection and may not be found in children’s areas. All titles can be found in the HEPL online catalog.”
The Fault in Our Starsis Green’s fourth novel and tells the bittersweet story of a teenage cancer patient who meets and falls in love with a teen from her cancer support group. The 2012 book was later adapted into a movie starringShailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort. It has sold more than 23 million copies worldwide.
source: people.com
