A teacher has been fired after assigning students a graphic novel of Anne Frank’s diary that included passages about genitalia.
The teacher was let go, the Hampshire-Fannett Independent School District in Texas confirmed and confirmed that graphic novel had not been approved to be handed out to pupils.
The book is an adaptation of Anne Frank’s diary, which contains sections regarding the teenager’s exploration of her own body and sexuality as she went through puberty.
Parents voiced their fury after it emerged the book had been used as part of the curriculum – with pupils expected to read parts of it out loud in class.
Among the parents to outline their disdain was Amy Manuel, a mother whose sons are in the eighth grade.
She told KFDM: “It’s bad enough she’s (the teacher) having them read this for an assignment, but then she also is making them read it aloud.
“Making a little girl talk about feeling each other’s breasts and when she sees a female she goes into ecstasy, that’s not ok.”
Hamshire-Fannett ISD representative Mike Canizales said in an email to the outlet that the teacher had been dismissed last week.
The school was looking into replacing the ousted teacher, with Canizales adding one would be appointed “as quickly as possible”.
The graphic novel itself includes references to Frank, as well as other young women, who experience puberty and their periods.
In one passage, Frank discusses wishing to kiss her friend Jacque, and asking if they could show each other their breasts.
Alongside a picture of Frank skipping through a row of naked statues of women, a caption reads: “If only I had a girlfriend.”
When originally published, Frank’s diary saw references to puberty and sexuality omitted – but the 2018 graphic novel included these.
It was published by Ari Folman, whose parents are Polish-Jewish Holocaust survivors, and illustrated by David Polosky.
Canizales added in a statement he thanks parents for their “trust and partnership” during the transition period, concluding: “We appreciate your trust and partnership as we all work towards the common goal of safeguarding your child’s educational environment.”
Earlier this year a Florida school library removed the graphic novel after a parent group complained about its sexually explicit content.
