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Wake Now in the Fire: A Graphic Novel

Contributors:

Jarrett Dapier (Author)

Aj Dungo (Illustrator)

Contributors: Jarrett Dapier (Author) ; Aj Dungo (Illustrator)

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ETA: From February 19, 2026 to February 24, 2026
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BISAC categories: Young Adult Fiction -> Comics & Graphic Novels -> Coming of Age

BISAC categories: Young Adult Fiction -> Social Themes -> Activism & Social Justice

BISAC categories: Young Adult Fiction -> School & Education -> General

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Product Description

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.
ISBN-10: 0593838041
ISBN-13: 9780593838044
Author: Dapier, Jarrett, Dungo, Aj
Publisher: Ten Speed Graphic

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780593838044

ISBN-10: 0593838041

Publish Date: February 3, 2026

On Sale Date: February 3, 2026

Language: English

Pages: 464

Dimensions: 8.59 × 6.15 × 1.51 in

Weight: 2.1 lbs

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