Indianapolis author John Green among most banned authors in Iowa. He's suing
Indianapolis author John Green is among a group of renowned writers with the dubious distinction of having the most books banned in Iowa, according to an exclusive investigation by The Des Moines Register.
A sister publication of IndyStar, journalists at the Register examined the impact of Senate File 496, a 2023 education law requiring library materials to be "age-appropriate" and bans most books depicting sex acts from Iowa schools. The sweeping law also restricts curriculum about sexual orientation and gender identity through sixth grade.
Here's what we know.
How did the Register investigate banned books?
The Register documented nearly 3,400 book removals due to the law, which included about 1,000 unique book titles; 335 titles were removed in more than one school district.
'Looking for Alaska' among the top 2 books banned in Iowa; John Green and others are suing
The top two books — "Nineteen Minutes" by Jodi Picoult and "Looking for Alaska" by John Green — were both removed in more than 70 school districts. Picoult and Green are now suing the state over Senate File 496 after their books were banned.
The state cannot enforce the law's book and curriculum restrictions during two pending lawsuits due to a judge's injunction. After the judge's decision, some districts decided to restore the books to shelves.
What books are being banned or removed off the shelf in Iowa?
The most banned books in Iowa since Senate File 496 appear to have been flagged for their sexual content, including scenes where characters have sex or with depictions of rape. They are:
1. 'Nineteen Minutes' by Jodi Picoult
What it's about — "Nineteen Minutes" tracks the events leading up to and the fallout from a fatal shooting at a high school in New Hampshire at the hands of a 17-year-old student who suffered physical and verbal abuse from his classmates. The shooter's former best friend, Josie, who witnessed the massacre, ostensibly can't remember the event, while the shooter's parents consider how their past actions after a tragic accident may have played a role. A trial soon reveals divisions between the town's adults and students and rips relationships apart.
Number of school districts that removed the book — 77
Number of districts that later reshelved the book after injunction — 22
2. 'Looking for Alaska' by John Green
What it's about — A 16-year-old boy named Miles, who is obsessed with famous last words, leaves his safe life at home for boarding school in this coming-of-age young adult novel. Miles becomes infatuated with a female classmate named Alaska, who later dies, and Miles and his friends seek details about her final day as they process her death and wrestle with the meaning of life.
Number of school districts that removed the book — 76
Number of districts that later reshelved the book after injunction — 25
3. 'Sold' by Patricia McCormick
What it's about — Lakshmi is a 13-year-old girl living in a small hut in the mountains of Nepal with her family. After a monsoon sweeps away the family’s crops, her stepfather tells the teen she must leave home and take a job. Lakshmi — thinking she will be a maid for a rich woman — finds herself at a brothel and learns she must stay until her family’s debt is paid. Over time, she teaches herself to read and write in English. Eventually, she meets an American who is investigating the brothel's owners.
Number of school districts that removed the book — 62
Number of districts that later reshelved the book after injunction — 16
4. 'Thirteen Reasons Why,' by Jay Asher
What it's about — After her death, a high school student named Hannah Baker leaves behind tapes that detail the 13 reasons why she decided to die by suicide and unfold the events that preceded her death. Her former classmate Clay, who had a crush on Hannah, listens to the tapes, which reveal Hannah was a victim of sexual assault and faced bullying and harassment.
Number of school districts that removed the book — 60
Number of districts that later reshelved the book after injunction — 21
5. 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower,' by Stephen Chbosky
What it's about — Charlie, a teenage wallflower who is introverted and shy, writes letters to an anonymous "Dear Friend" as he details his struggle after a friend's suicide and a family member's death and documents his transition into high school. The teen befriends his classmates, and he develops a crush and experiments with alcohol and drugs. The novel explores sexuality, mental health and abuse as Charlie learns his friends' secrets and discovers repressed memories from his past.
Number of school districts that removed the book — 55
Number of districts that later reshelved the book after injunction — 17
For the full list, visit the DesMoinesRegister.com.
The Top 10 most challenged books of 2023 in the United States
A recent report by the American Library Association revealed more than 900 attempts were made last year to remove 4,240 different books from school and public libraries in the United States — the highest levels ever documented by the ALA, according to the organization. The most frequently challenged books of 2023 in the U.S. include the following:
“Gender Queer,” by Maia Kobabe (Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit)
“All Boys Aren’t Blue,” by George M. Johnson (Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit)
“This Book is Gay,” by Juno Dawson (Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, sex education, claimed to be sexually explicit)
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky (Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content, rape, drugs, profanity)
“Flamer,” by Mike Curato (Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit)
“The Bluest Eye,” by Toni Morrison (Reasons: Rape, incest, claimed to be sexually explicit, EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) content)
(TIE) “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” by Jesse Andrews (Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, profanity)
(TIE) “Tricks,” by Ellen Hopkins (Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, drugs, rape, LGBTQIA+ content)
“Let's Talk About It,” by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan (Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, sex education, LGBTQIA+ content)
“Sold,” by Patricia McCormick (Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, rape)
Who is author John Green?
Green is known for popular young adult novels that tell coming-of-age stories of teenage struggle. He's also known for building a large online community that sprung from his work, his foray into YouTube with his brother Hank, educational videos and a podcast. He is one of the authors suing the state of Iowa over the book ban law.
Number of times removed in Iowa — 107
Books removed in Iowa —"Looking for Alaska," "The Fault in Our Stars," "Paper Towns," "An Abundance of Katherines"
Green's books have been challenged in Indiana
Green is no stranger to such controversies. Last year in Fishers, members of the Hamilton East Public Library board removed "The Fault in Our Stars" — including scores of other books — from the library's teen section due to a policy labeling them not "age appropriate." The book was returned later to the library's teen section after intense public backlash and what one HEPL board member blamed as a misinterpretation of the board's new relocation policy.
What books did Hoosiers in Indiana challenge in 2023?
Hoosiers filed at least 16 challenges at Indiana libraries last year, according to the ALA, targeting up to 24 books. Among the most challenged book titles was "Looking for Alaska." Claims that Green's novel is sexually explicit and has LGBTQ+ content have consistently put it in the crosshairs of those who want it removed or relocated off the library shelves. "Looking for Alaska" was listed among the ALA's most banned books of 2022.
Indiana's Top 10 most challenged books in 2023, according to the ALA, were:
"Looking for Alaska," by John Green.
"It's Perfectly Normal," by Robie H. Harris.
"The Goats," by Brock Cole.
“Gender Queer: A Memoir,” by Maia Kobabe.
"Crank," by Ellen Hopkins.
"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian," by Sherman Alexie.
"Jesus Land: A Memoir," by Julia Scheeres.
“The Bluest Eye,” by Toni Morrison.
"The Glass Castle," by Jeannette Walls.
"Water for Elephants," by Sara Gruen.
Since 2020, the ALA has documented at least 87 challenges to books from Hoosiers in Indiana.
Others are reading: As book challenges skyrocket, these are the books Hoosiers tried to ban last year
Chris Higgins covers the northern and eastern suburbs for the Register. Reach him at [email protected] or 515-423-5146 and follow him on Twitter @chris_higgins_.
John Tufts covers trending news for the Indianapolis Star. Send him a news tip at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: John Green among most banned authors in Iowa
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