Committee to Review Complaint Against Anne Frank's Diary

The Northville schools board of education has assembled a material review committee to discuss the complaint against the district's use of the unedited version of Anne Frank's diary.

Gail Horalek, mother of a seventh grade student at Meads Mill Middle School, filed the formal complaint last month after finding a passage in the definitive edition of “Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl” that describes the female body. 

Robert Behnke, assistant superintendent for Instructional Services, said the committee will meet Friday.

The committee -- comprised of administrators, district parents and community members -- will review the complaint in a closed meeting, according to Northville schools.

If any district parents or community members want to include their input, they can email Behnke at behnkero@northvilleschools.org. The material review committee will then take the input into consideration.

There has been widespread -- even international -- discussion of the issue, including readers who have voiced their opinions on Northville Patch.

Rosa Russenberger said in a comment on the original story that she read the passage in question.

"They were never in the version I read as a child. They are inappropriate for this age group, and the parents should have been informed. The passages add nothing to the historical and social value of the diary," she said.

Other readers disagreed. 

"How is a description of one's anatomy using formal medical terminology sexual? The human body is natural, beautiful and with purposeful design. Let's stop treating it as something to be ashamed of," said Danielle Raymond Neff.

Darcy Fremont said Frank was talking about biology.

"If the parent doesn't like the 'world view' espoused by the school her child goes to then the child should go to a school more in keeping with their own world view. The book gives an anatomical description of female anatomy. It is not pornographic," she wrote.

What action do you think Northville schools should take? Tell us in the comments.