Anne Frank graphical book removed for ‘minimization’ of Holocaust, original remains in Florida school
VERO BEACH, Fla. (FLV) – A book titled “Anne Frank’s Diary: The Graphic Adaptation” by Ari Folman, has been pulled from an Indian River County high school because it minimized the Holocaust.
In an email obtained by Florida’s Voice, the book was pulled on March 14 from Vero Beach High School. The listed reason was “minimization of the Holocaust.”
Jennifer Pippin, chairman of the Indian River County Chapter of Moms for Liberty, filed the challenge.
Pippin said it is not the actual work, “Anne Frank’s Diary,” and that this particular book offered a “different view” on the subject.
She said they have received death threats over the pulling of the book.
The book’s description said the graphic edition “remains faithful to the original, while the stunning illustrations interpret and add layers of visual meaning and immediacy to this classic work of Holocaust literature.”
“In the ONE school it was removed from and being ONE book removed almost 100 other TRUE diaries remain on the shelves for children,” said Pippin.
Director of Academic Compliance and Equity Dr. Kyra Schafte said the original “Diary of Anne Frank” is still in school libraries, according to WPTV.
Pippin said the book includes parts where the character talks about going into ecstasy and about her sexuality. She said it didn’t focus on what actually happened with the Holocaust and the Nazis.
“It’s Florida state standards to teach the Holocaust historically correct. Specifically 6A-1.094124 (3)(b). So, as this specific book minimizes the holocaust, then it violates this rule,” Pippin said.
There are over 300 books on the Holocaust children in Indian River County Schools, including versions of The Diary Anne Frank, according to Pippin.
At the last school board meeting, Pippin said they developed a policy and procedure to be able to challenge the books and processes are still in the works at the state and local level.
Additionally, Pippin said multiple books from the “Assassination Classroom” series were also pulled from middle school.
