Uncategorized

In 1942, as Nazis occupied Holland, a thirteen-year-old Jewish girl and her family fled their home in Amsterdam and went into hiding. For the next two years, until their whereabouts were betrayed to the Gestapo, they and another family lived cloistered in the secret upstairs rooms of an old office building. Cut off from the outside world, they faced hunger, boredom, the constant cruelties of living in confined quarters, and the ever-present threat of discovery and death.

In her diary Anne Frank recorded vivid impressions of her experiences during this period. By turns thoughtful, moving, and amusing, Anne’s account offers a fascinating commentary on human courage and frailty and a compelling self-portrait of a sensitive and spirited young woman whose promise was tragically cut short.

Buy on Amazon

Challenges:

The Diary of Anne Frank is not banned outright, but certain versions, particularly a newer uncensored edition and the graphic novel adaptation, have been challenged and removed from some schools and libraries due to passages describing sexual desires and other “graphic” content.

Controversial passages: Specific editions include passages about Anne Frank’s emerging sexual desires, unflattering descriptions of others, and, in the case of the graphic novel, a scene where she asks a friend to expose themselves.
“Graphic” content: Opponents have referred to these passages as “graphic” or “pornographic” and inappropriate for younger students.
Pushback: Proponents of the book argue that banning it is a missed opportunity to teach about the Holocaust and the experiences of adolescence. They also highlight that the book, in its full context, provides a realistic view of growing up during wartime.
Broader censorship trend: The challenges are often seen as part of a larger trend of book bans and censorship in the United States, which frequently targets works that discuss race, gender, and sexuality.