Chicago Students Protest Book Ban on Persepolis

Librarian's graphic novel tells fictionalized account of real-life events in 2013 that restricted access to Marjane Satrapi's memoir in Chicago Public Schools.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 4:49pm

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In 2013, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) suddenly restricted access to Marjane Satrapi's memoir Persepolis, a graphic novel about a young girl's experience during the 1979 Iranian Revolution, without explanation. Librarian Jarrett Dapier's debut young adult graphic novel, "Wake Now in the Fire," is a fictionalized account of the student-led protests and actions that followed the book ban. The story focuses on high school student Aditi and her peers as they navigate the fallout from the ban, organize demonstrations, and fight for their right to access the banned book.

Why it matters

The Persepolis ban in Chicago Public Schools highlights ongoing concerns about censorship and book banning in schools, which the American Library Association says is a growing issue. Dapier's novel sheds light on how young people can mobilize to defend their access to literature and have their voices heard, even in the face of authority figures restricting their freedoms.

The details

In Dapier's graphic novel, fictional high school student Aditi, who moved from Mumbai to Chicago, is powerfully affected by the Persepolis ban. Like the real-life students at Lane Technical College Preparatory High School, Aditi and her peers organize protests, form banned book clubs, and work as student journalists to investigate CPS' decision-making process and disseminate information to the public. While dealing with the book ban, the students also navigate typical high school experiences like grades, college applications, and family matters.

  • In 2013, Chicago Public Schools restricted access to Marjane Satrapi's memoir Persepolis in some classrooms.
  • In March 2013, two Lane Tech high school seniors appeared on the Chicago Tonight TV program to discuss the Persepolis ban and their decision to organize a protest.
  • Ultimately, Persepolis was allowed to remain in CPS libraries, and teachers can teach the book in 8-10 grade classrooms with additional training, though it remains forbidden in CPS classrooms below 8th grade.

The players

Jarrett Dapier

A librarian who wrote the debut young adult graphic novel "Wake Now in the Fire," which is a fictionalized account of the real-life events surrounding the Persepolis ban in Chicago Public Schools.

Aditi

A fictional high school student in Dapier's graphic novel who is powerfully affected by the Persepolis ban and becomes involved in organizing protests and other actions in response.

Marjane Satrapi

The author of the memoir Persepolis, a graphic novel about a young girl's experience during the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which was banned by Chicago Public Schools in 2013.

Katie McDermott

A real-life senior at Lane Technical College Preparatory High School in Chicago who appeared on Chicago Tonight in 2013 to discuss the Persepolis ban and the student-led protests.

Chicago Public Schools (CPS)

The school district that suddenly restricted access to Marjane Satrapi's memoir Persepolis in some classrooms in 2013, without explanation.

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What’s next

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The takeaway

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