'Ludicrous': John Green reacts after Indiana library removes 'The Fault in Our Stars' from young adult shelf

Rachel Fradette, USA TODAY
Updated ·2 min read
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Author,YouTube content creator, and podcaster, John Green attends preview night for the second annual "Butter" fine art fair presented by Ganggang on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, at the Stutz Building in Indianapolis. The art fair features more than 50 black artists, with a focus on equity.
Author,YouTube content creator, and podcaster, John Green attends preview night for the second annual "Butter" fine art fair presented by Ganggang on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, at the Stutz Building in Indianapolis. The art fair features more than 50 black artists, with a focus on equity.
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INDIANAPOLIS − Author John Green spoke out against an Indiana library that pulled "The Fault in Our Stars" from its teen shelves, joining hundreds of other books that are no longer available in the Indianapolis suburb thanks to a new policy that targets books deemed not "age appropriate."

Green took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to respond to Hamilton East Public Library's policy and decision, saying moving the book is an embarrassment for the city of Fishers.

"This is ludicrous," Green tweeted Wednesday. "It is about teenagers and I wrote it for teenagers. Teenagers are not harmed by reading TFIOS."

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The best-selling fictional young adult book "The Fault in Our Stars" is one of the most-referenced novels with an Indiana setting. Green, who was born in Indianapolis, also wrote "Looking For Alaska" and "Paper Towns." All three were adapted for the screen.

Under the public library board's policy, the book will no longer be allowed in teen sections in Noblesville and Fishers library branches but rather moved to the general collection.

Hamilton East Public Library said in a statement that the book was relocated "based on criteria included in the Board-approved Hamilton East Public Library Collection Development Policy. This policy also includes a process for patrons to object to the placement of any item in the collection."

The library also said that details on placement criteria are available in the Collection Development Operational Response Plan, which can be reviewed in board meeting notes.

The title remains identified in the library online catalog as for a Young Adult audience and is available to check out in print, audio, and electronic formats.

A John Green poster hangs in the teen section of the Hamilton East Public Library on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. But the library has moved copies of one of his most prominent YA novels, "The Fault in Our Stars," to the general collection.
A John Green poster hangs in the teen section of the Hamilton East Public Library on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. But the library has moved copies of one of his most prominent YA novels, "The Fault in Our Stars," to the general collection.

Why was 'The Fault in Our Stars' moved to the adult collection?

At the direction of the library board, staff members have been going through all books in the teen section for the past several months and moving those that run afoul of board policy. The policy targets language about sexuality and reproduction, profanity and criminal acts.

Hundreds of staff hours have been dedicated to the review, which is expected to take until next year.

Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY

Rachel Fradette is a suburban education reporter at IndyStar. Contact her at rfradette@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter at @Rachel_Fradette.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: John Green reacts to 'The Fault in Our Stars' removal at IN library