Persepolis by Marjane SatrapiCall Number: PN6747.S245 P4713 2003
ISBN: 9780375422300
Publication Date: 2003-04-29
The graphic novel, Persepolis, paints an unforgettable portrait of daily life in Iran and of the bewildering contradictions between home life and public life. Marjane’s child’s-eye view of dethroned emperors, state-sanctioned whippings, and heroes of the revolution allows us to learn as she does the history of this fascinating country and of her own extraordinary family. Intensely personal, profoundly political, and wholly original, Persepolis is at once a story of growing up and a reminder of the human cost of war and political repression.
Pulled from all Chicago, IL public schools due to “graphic illustrations and language” and concerns about “developmental preparedness” and “student readiness.” Students protested the banning of a book “all about free speech”. They took to their Facebook and Twitter accounts, checked out all library copies of the book, wrote blogs, sent e-mails, wrote investigative articles for the student newspaper, contacted the author, staged protests, and appeared on local radio and television programs. Eventually the school issued a letter telling high school principals to disregard the earlier order to pull the book. A year later the book was challenged in three other states with one parent questioning “why a book about Muslims was assigned on September 11.”