Censorship of the word does not end on paper, but on the skin of human beings.
-- Herta Muller
Index on Censorship
September 10, 2018

Before we say goodbye, give us something to believe in.
--Alkaline Trio

Wake Now in the Fire: A Story of Censorship, Action, Love, and Hope
by Jarrett Dapier & AJ Dungo
Published 2026
TEN SPEED GRAPHIC (An imprint of Ten Speed Press)
A division of Penguin Random House

From the jacket
–Jarrett is a Chicago-area librarian and a recipient of the John Philip Immroth Memorial Award from the American Library Association for his work exposing book censorship in Chicago Public Schools.
–AJ is a graduate of ArtCenter College of Design. His first graphic novel won an ALA Alex award.

Dedications
JD: For Elizabeth
AJD: For the teachers, librarians, and students who fight back

Wake Now in the Fire is a graphic novel that mixes facts with fiction regarding incidents that took place in Chicago, IL starting around the time of March 11, 2013, involving the attempted censorship of the book, _Persepolis_ as decided by Chicago Public Schools. The school in the novel is Curtis Technical College Preparatory High School. The student body are highly intelligent and highly motivated students who learn that morning that a representative from Chicago Public Schools has come to take away all copies of the book from the library and from any teachers who have copies of it.

Per wikipedia, _Persepolis_:
Persepolis (French: Persépolis) is a series of autobiographical graphic novels by Marjane Satrapi that depict her childhood and early adult years in Iran and Austria during and after the Islamic Revolution. The title Persepolis is a reference to the ancient capital of the Persian Empire. Originally published in French, Persepolis has been translated to many other languages. As of 2018, it has sold more than 2 million copies worldwide.

French comics publisher L’Association published the original work in four volumes between 2000 and 2003. Pantheon Books (North America) and Jonathan Cape (United Kingdom) published the English translations in two volumes – one in 2003 and the other in 2004. Omnibus editions in French and English followed in 2007, coinciding with the theatrical release of the film adaptation.

Due to its graphic language and images, there is controversy surrounding the use of Persepolis in classrooms in the United States. Persepolis was featured on the American Library Association’s list of Top Ten Most Challenged Books in 2014.

The graphic novel is a primer for teachers, school administrators, students, and media with integrity in how to collaborate with each other in fighting back against censorship. The story focuses on a dozen or so student leaders who commit to lead the battle against those who want to censor the book. The censors don’t stand a chance against them!

Each of these dozen are shown in both their school and home environments. They are excellent students who work together like a very effective machine at school. At home, each are dealing with personal issues that challenge their strength to carry on the fight against censorship. Importantly, it shows how the students’ friendships morph over time with what they are doing. By the end of the almost 500-page book, I felt I got to know these kids and their parents. I admire them for using their creative skills and for their perseverance.

The 8” x 6” volume is illustrated in shades of black, white, blue, and splashes of red; red is reserved for the book cover of the book at risk of censorship.

I know things have changed a lot with fascists attempting to not only ban books and facts but rewrite history since 2014. I do recommend this book to anyone, but particularly anyone who works at a library and/or school with a library. Most especially I recommend it for young people who want some excellent ideas on how to fight back peacefully against censorship.