A Knoxville, Tennessee comic book store is giving free copies of Art Spiegelman’s Maus graphic novel to students who wish to read the book. Knoxville is about fifty miles northeast of McMinn County where the Pulitzer Prize-winning book has been banned from the school district’s eighth grade curriculum.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A Knoxville comic book store announced Thursday that it will give away free copies of Maus for students who want to learn more about the Holocaust.
The book was banned from McMinn County schools after leaders said it contained too much strong language and graphic depictions of the Holocaust. Around 6 million Jewish people died between the 1930s and the early 1940s as the Nazi regime systematically arrested and cruelly killed them.
Nirvana Comics said they would give away copies of the book because they “believe it is a must-read for everyone.” They said all students need to do is ask for a copy by calling them or reaching out on social media. However, they said they had a limited supply of books so there could be a waitlist for anyone interested in reading it.
They said they had a large order of Maus expected to arrive soon, so they could give away more copies of the book, after their initial supply was loaned out or sold.
Knoxville’s WBIR is reporting the story.
“We are in discussions with a much larger organization to expand the program. We hope to have news on that soon,” they also said.
Anyone who wants to help with Nirvana Comics’ program can also donate. They said they are looking into crowdfunding platforms to better organize donations.
Nirvana Comics can be reached at 865-200-5067 or online.
the book has not been banned. It has been removed from the curriculum as being in appropriate for the 8th grade. Using the term “ban” or “banned” is dishonest.
Hopefully you are just as shocked by the Seattle School District “banning” To Kill a Mockingbird the 9th grade curriculum due to racial insensitivity