Wake Now in the Fire: A Graphic Novel

Wake Now in the Fire: A Graphic Novel - Hardcover

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Wake Now in the Fire: A Graphic Novel
  • Wake Now in the Fire: A Graphic Novel
Wake Now in the Fire: A Graphic Novel - Hardcover

Wake Now in the Fire: A Graphic Novel - Hardcover

by Jarrett Dapier
$38.00
$38.00

Book Overview

by Jarrett Dapier (Author), Aj Dungo (Illustrator)

NATIONAL BESTSELLER - A BOOKLIST BEST YA GRAPHIC NOVEL OF THE YEAR - In this "thoughtful, personal, and deeply relevant" (Booklist, starred review) graphic novel based on a true story, a group of high schoolers in Chicago work to overturn the system-wide ban of Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis.

"An inspiring, clear-eyed tribute to intellectual freedom and the impact of youth-led resistance."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"A timely piece of literature and an urgent call to action."--School Library Journal (starred review)

It starts as an update at one Chicago high school: copies of a certain book are no longer allowed in the classrooms or the library. But it's not just one high school--it's all Chicago public schools. Not even the principals know why this is happening; they just know they must comply with the order. One thing is clear: The book, which tells a story of oppression, survival, and resistance against authoritarian power, is seen as a threat, dangerous enough to ban. One other thing is clear: Some of the students aren't going to let this go without resistance of their own.

As the extent of the ban becomes known, the students rise up. They organize a school-wide walkout and library sit-in. They publicize the banning in every forum they can: social media, the press, classes, clubs, the school paper. And most of all, they get everyone they know to read the book: Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi.

Told from multiple perspectives, based on extensive interviews with the real-life students and teachers who were affected, and written by the librarian who exposed key information about the Chicago Public Schools censorship decision, Wake Now in the Fire is a fictionalized account of a true event that galvanized a community. With illustrations by Alex Award-winner AJ Dungo that perfectly capture the everyday joys, heartbreak, and stresses of high school, this graphic novel is an inspiring portrayal of student activism taking on one of the most urgent issues of our time, and a passionate reminder of why protecting the books we love matters.

Author Biography

Jarrett Dapier is a Chicago-area librarian and the recipient of the John Phillip Immroth Award from the American Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Round Table for his work exposing book censorship in the Chicago Public Schools. He is the author of several award-winning picture books for children, one of which has faced several censorship attempts.

AJ Dungo is a graduate of ArtCenter College of Design. He has worked with Nike, The New York Times, The New Yorker, Bleacher Report, Doubleday & Cartwright, This American Life, The Wall Street Journal, ProPublica, and Virgin Orbit. His first graphic novel, In Waves, was an NPR Favorite Book and an ALA Alex Award winner.
Number of Pages: 464
Dimensions: 1.51 x 8.59 x 6.15 IN
Publication Date: February 03, 2026
ISBN9780593838044
Author Jarrett Dapier
PublisherTen Speed Graphic
GenreYoung adult and Comics & graphic novels
FormatHardcover
PublishedFebruary 2026
LanguageENG- English
Pages464
Weight1.0 lb
Target AudienceTeens & young adults and Adults
Print SizeStandard Print

Related Subjects

Young Adult Coming of Age Young Adult Fiction Young Adult Graphic Novels Young Adults

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About Jarrett Dapier

Jarrett Dapier is a teen services librarian at Skokie Public Library just outside of Chicago. He is the recipient of the John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award for Intellectual Freedom from the American Library Association for his research into the censorship of Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis in the Chicago Public Schools. He plays the drums, most notably while dressed as a skeleton at the White House for one of President Obama's Halloween celebrations. He does not own any chickens. Yet. This is his first book.

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