Texas teacher fired for reading Illustrated Diary of Anne Frank to 8th grade class

A Texas teacher has reportedly been dismissed after reading the Illustrated version of Anne Frank’s Diary to their class.

For those unfamiliar, Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl is a book of writings from the 13-year-old, who went into hiding with her family to escape the persecution of Jewish people in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam.

Though Frank’s writings survived, she died at the age of 15 in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, Germany.

Since her book was published in 1947, there have been various versions released over the years - including 2018’s Anne Frank’s Diary: The Graphic Adaptation.

And the latter is reportedly the version that the anonymous Texan educator decided to read to their students during their reading class - which led to them being fired, according to local news outlet KFDM.

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Mike Canizales, the communications director and community engagement coordinator for the Hamshire-Fannett Independent School District in Gamshire, Texas, told the outlet: “A version of The Diary of Anne Frank book that was not approved by the district was read in class.

“The teacher was sent home. There is an active investigation,” he continued.

According to the Guardian, the school district is said to have sent an email to parents on Tuesday evening (12 September) with their apologies.

The email said: “It was brought to the administration’s attention tonight that 8th-grade students were reading content that was not appropriate.

Penguin Audio

“The reading of that content will cease immediately. Your student’s teacher will communicate her apologies to you and your students soon, as she has expressed those apologies to us.”

Canizales then shared an updated statement with KFDM which read: “As you may be aware, following concerns regarding curricular selections in your student’s reading class, a substitute teacher has been facilitating the class since Wednesday, September 13, 2023.

"The District is currently in the process of posting the position to secure a high-quality, full-time teacher as quickly as possible.

"During this period of transition, our administrators and curriculum team will provide heightened support and monitoring in the reading class to ensure continuity in instruction.

"We appreciate your trust and partnership as we all work towards the common goal of safeguarding your child’s educational environment."

UNILAD has reached out to Hamshire-Fannett Independent School District for additional comment.

And this particular version of Anne Frank’s diary has already been banned by a school in Florida after a parents' group complained about it containing 'sexually explicit' content.

According to local news outlet WPTV, the library at Vero Beach High School will no longer contain Anne Frank's Diary: The Graphic Adaptation.