Tag: John Green
Happy Birthday, John Green!
I first encountered Green’s books after I took a course on children’s literature in graduate school in 2012. One of the final sections of the class featured banned and challenged books, and I selected Looking for Alaska, not knowing anything about Green or his books. I really enjoyed the novel, and though I hadn’t attended a boarding school like Miles and Alaska, felt a sense of understanding at Miles’ awkward and anxious high school experiences. I recall reading it and thinking, Okay, so what’s wrong with it?!
John Green is My Metaphor for Intellectual Freedom
Green’s new novel ponders the many metaphors we use to describe pain, mental illness, and the narratives of our lives…but I left the book with my own new metaphor.
Spotlight on Censorship: ‘Looking for Alaska’
Some students were restricted from exploring ‘the Great Perhaps.’ John Green’s ‘Looking for Alaska’ ranked No. 6 on the American Library Association’s Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2016.
How to Defend Your Right to Read (with memes)
Banned Books Week is one month away. The American Library Association offers these methods to defend the books you love and your First Amendment protected right to read them.
A Matter of Context: Challenged Books
With the recent publication of ALA’s Top 10 Challenged Books list, we saw some recurring titles, as well as new entries. Returning to the list is, Looking for Alaska by John Green, often challenged for its offensive language, sexually explicit scenes, and claims that it is generally unsuited for the age group. Since its publication in 2005, and despite its popularity with critics and readers, plus a laundry list of accolades (i.e. Winner, 2006 Michael L. Printz Award, 2005 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, A Kirkus Best Book of 2005, and many more), the novel continues its reign as one of the most popular banned books.
Freedom to Read at Marion High School
In Kentucky, readers rejoice. At tonight’s open reconsideration committee meeting, Emily Veatch defended the right for her students to read Looking for Alaska by John Green. She was supported by librarians all over the country and right there in Lebanon. Marion County Public Librarians attended the meeting with buttons, t-shirts, and signs opposing the censorship of this book in the entire high school. And they succeeded!
Support Looking for Alaska
The reconsideration committee for Marion County High School will be meeting on Monday, May 2nd @ 4pm EST. This is an open meeting and we need your support!
Letters to the Editor are Important!
Letters to the Editor are more important than you might think. They show support for the librarians and teachers involved, they highlight the quality of the book and intellectual freedom, and most importantly they publicly show an individual’s willingness to stand up for the First Amendment and the right to read.
Don’t Forget to Be Awesome
Nerdfighters Unite! Author, John Green, has put out a call for action against censorship. On Friday, April 1st he alerted his huge fan base on social media to a challenge at Marion County High School in Kentucky.
Video of John Green at Freedom to Read Foundation author event in Dallas
For more information on the Freedom to Read Foundation, or to become a member, visit www.ftrf.org.