Author John Green heads to Hendrix College on Nov. 18

JOHN GREEN
WEDNESDAY 11/18. Hendrix College, Wellness and Athletics Center, Conway. 7:30 p.m. Free.

When it comes to contemporary young adult fiction with a realist bent, there are few names bigger than John Green, who came to prominence with 2005’s “Looking for Alaska,” a novel whose never-ending (and mostly inexplicable) place in the crosshairs of conservative book banners only made it more popular. Green’s 2012 novel “The Fault in Our Stars,” which went on to sell over 20 million copies after receiving an explosively popular film adaptation, further solidified his importance in the world of young people’s literature. Green, who is also widely known for the educational and philanthropic work he’s done on YouTube with his brother, heads to Hendrix College in Conway on the heels of the release of his first novel for adults, “Hollywood, Ending,” which Booklist called a “spellbinding, tender, incisive, funny, and compassionate story of love and creativity.” All of the more than 1,000 tickets available for this free event have already been claimed, but here’s to hoping that your friend who snagged a spot gets sick at the last minute.