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OS conversations: Book banning in US schools

A Tennessee school board has defended its ban on a novel about the Holocaust.

A Tennessee school board has defended its ban on a Pulitzer prize-winning novel about the Holocaust being taught in its classrooms. Following a backlash, board members cited the book's use of swear words, nudity and suicide, saying it was "simply too adult-oriented" for pupils. The graphic novel Maus: A Survivor's Tale, depicts how the author's parents survived during the Holocaust. Author Art Spiegelman said he was "baffled" by the decision. The move to ban the novel comes amid a national debate over the curriculum in US public schools. We speak to two people in the US to hear their thoughts on the issue.

Also, as speculation continues on whether Russia will invade Ukraine, we answer questions about the crisis from listeners around the world.

And, every day we are joined by one of our regular health experts to answer your questions about coronavirus. Today our guest is Marc Mendelson, professor of Infectious Diseases at the University of Cape Town.

(Photo: Pages from the graphic novel Maus by American cartoonist Art Spiegelman. Credit: Reuters)

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50 minutes

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Fri 28 Jan 2022 17:06GMT

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  • Fri 28 Jan 2022 17:06GMT

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