In 2013, a surprising decision by the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) set off a chain of reactions when Marjane Satrapi’s memoir, Persepolis, was suddenly pulled from some classrooms. This graphic novel, depicting life during the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, became a focal point for discussions about censorship and educational freedom.
Jarrett Dapier’s debut young adult graphic novel, Wake Now in the Fire, illustrated by AJ Dungo, delves into these events through fiction. The narrative centers on Aditi, a high school student in Chicago who, like Francie Nolan in Betty Smith’s A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, finds solace and empowerment through literature. As a young girl in Mumbai, Aditi would creatively maneuver library rules to read as much as possible. Her move to Chicago reveals an astonishing freedom—being able to check out 30 books at a time.
Dapier’s book highlights the impact of the Persepolis ban on students. Inspired by the real experiences of Lane Technical College Preparatory High School students, the narrative captures their efforts to understand and challenge the ban. “It’s time for us to have our voices heard,” senior Katie McDermott expressed, summarizing the sentiment among students who organized protests to make their voices count.
The book skillfully intertwines the personal with the political, exploring how students like Aditi react to the restriction. They engage in investigative journalism, organize public demonstrations, and express their dissent, all while navigating typical teenage challenges. Ultimately, their efforts led to Persepolis being allowed in CPS libraries and taught in upper-grade classrooms with certain restrictions.
In an author’s note, Dapier connects past and present, noting the foreshadowing of current censorship trends as highlighted by the American Library Association. “Censoring literature,” a character remarks, “is often where oppression starts.” This sentiment resonates with the ongoing struggle for intellectual freedom, as young people continue to advocate for their rights.
Just as Francie Nolan found freedom beneath the branches of a tree in Brooklyn, today’s youth find empowerment in standing up for their access to literature, echoing the timeless struggle for freedom and self-expression.
