Oct 16, 2015 07:01 AM EDT
John Green Novel 'Looking For Alaska' Pulled Out From Middle School Libraries in New Jersey

Hot on the heels of the news about the lift on the ban of "Into the River" by Ted Dawe in New Zealand, John Green's award-winning book "Looking for Alaska" was banned in Burlington County in New Jersey by the superintendent of Lumberton District.

According to NCAC, the prohibition was instigated after a parent complained about the "sexual content" in it. The protest had Superintendent Joseph Langowski requesting the book removed from the classrooms of 7th and 8th graders straight away. This was said to be only temporary measure while the district figures out a formal procedure to execute.

NCAC says that he may have forgotten about the fact that a policy involving such type of book ban exists. A policy broached by NCAC states that only the Board of Education has the right to proscribe the book from classrooms, thus making the ban for "Looking for Alaska," somewhat illegal.

This means that the entitled board may not have been apprised of the action. The policy always states that "no challenged material may be removed solely because it presents ideas that may be unpopular or offensive to some."

Interestingly, the superintendent seemingly realized his action. "Looking for Alaska" is now free from restriction after the policy has been brought to light. As per NJ.com, Langowski sent out a letter to parents stating that the John Green book will again be back in the shelves in lieu of the policy.

"Looking for Alaska" is the first book Green ever published. It is a Michael L. Printz Award winner back in 2005 and is considered by American Library Association "the best book written for teens, based entirely on its literary merit" via NCAC.

Back in 2012, its sexual content also prompted a ban in a Tennessee county. A parent in a Wisconsin school also wanted to have the book removed from the shelves in the district but the request was denied.

Going back to Lumberton, "Looking for Alaska" is not part of the school in question's curriculum, which means that it is only available for the students to read if they'd like to. But the fact that such "unsuitable" material can still be accessed by kids apparently still worries Langowski.

"As educators, we teach our students to learn from their experiences; I have learned much this week. It is my great hope that we can collectively regroup from this experience and reemerge stronger than ever," the superintendent said via NJ.com.

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