Jewish Federation Director defends Maus book as appropriate for 8th graders

Book shoots up Amazon book lists as the story went world-wide

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The controversy over the banning of a holocaust book in Southeast Tennessee continues to spread world-wide.

And the story has pushed the graphic novel up to #2 on the overall bestsellers list on Amazon on Monday.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga continues to attack the McMinn County School Board decision to ban the book.

The school board said in a statement that “Maus” contained unnecessary use of profanity, nudity, and its depiction of violence.

The board emphasized that they did not object to teaching about the Holocaust.

They were concerned it wasn’t appropriate for 8th graders.

The Jewish Federation argues that “Maus” is a softer way of teaching a difficult topic.

And that the book does not show real photographs.

They hope the school board will reconsider their decision.

The Executive Director Michael Dzik tells us “Maus is already an approved book by the state of Tennessee and the Tennessee Holocaust Commission which is a state run organization as well. It’s already in the classroom. It’s been in the classroom for decades. This is not a brand new book.”

McMinn County School Board voted on January 10th to remove the book.

Maus was part of the district’s eighth-grade English language arts curriculum.