Author Adds Color to Graphic Novels Class

Local author Jarrett Dapier visited with students in Mike Mahany’s Graphic Novels class to talk about his new release.

Dapier’s Wake Now In The Fire covers the true story of Chicago Public Schools removing the graphic novel Persepolis from classrooms across the city in 2013. Persepolis is the well-reviewed, often-taught graphic novel memoir of Marjane Satrapi’s life under dictatorship in Iran, and Parker sophomores read it as part of their World Literature course. As most of the seniors in Mahany’s Graphic Novels class had read Persepolis, the novel’s topic and the publishing process were of interest.

In 2013, CPS issued an official directive to remove Persepolis from school libraries and classrooms. Students and teachers protested, holding a rally at Lane Tech High School that made national news. Because of these news stories, CPS backed down, and the graphic novel was returned to library shelves and classrooms within just a few weeks. Dapier filed FOIA requests for responses to the still-unanswered questions of who at CPS wanted Persepolis removed and why. Many of his FOIA emails and CPS communications are in Wake Now In The Fire.

When Dapier decided to tell this particular story, the graphic novel format seemed like an obvious fit to honor Persepolis. He explained that writing for a graphic format can be different than writing for a novel, in particular the fact that each page of text becomes two to three pages in graphic form. Dapier discussed the collaborative process with illustrator AJ Dungo, the two-tone format of the final book and his favorite graphic novels, which he encouraged students to read. 

Parker thanks Dapier for sharing about his work and process with students and US Librarian Nora Wiltse and English teacher Mike Mahany for coordinating this special experience.  

Click here for photos.

Additional Resources on Wake Now In The Fire