Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood - Marjane Satrapi

This graphic novel tells the autobiographical story of Marji Satrapi when she was a young girl growing up in war-torn Iran during the 1980s. Growing up she was well read, opinionated, and passionate. She was always very aware of what was going on around her. The book follows her life from age 6 to 14; from the Shah's regime ending, the Islamic Revolution, and the war with Iraq. It's a slice of history and a very good read.

In case you hadn't heard, this book was also recently pulled from classrooms in Chicago Public Schools. This has been an ongoing battle between CPS and anti-censorship. In March of this year, an email went out to all of CPS saying that the book was inappropriate for 7th graders and that it was to be pulled from the curriculum and taken out of all classrooms and libraries. The reason: one page in the book showed graphic images of torture (particularly one image of a prison guard urinating on a man, and another of a hot iron being placed on a man's back), and the use of obscene language (I believe the words "shit" and "fuck" were used a couple of times by characters that where shocked by the treatment the people were receiving from their government and neighbors... I'd swear too in those instances).
The censorship of the book happened quickly and quietly. There were no council meetings or discussions held to determine why this book was inappropriate. An email was sent out directing that the book be pulled from the school. A short time later, the CEO of CPS reported that Persepolis was not being banned from the school, but that it was simply being pulled from the 7th grade curriculum. That had not been what the previous command stated.
As soon as word got out, a furious debate arose. The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) wrote a letter decrying the decision. The Chicago Teachers Union issued a statement saying they were surprised at the ban, that they'd only ever heard of it being banned in Iran. The American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom and the Freedom To Read Foundation have put in FOIA requests for all information regarding CPS's decisions regarding Persepolis, and wrote a letter addressing Mayor Rahm Emanuel, CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett, and the Chicago Board of Education President David Vitale.

As an institution of democracy and learning, CPS has a responsibility to actively model and practice the ideals of free speech, free thought, and access to information at the heart of our democracy - ALA's Barbara Jones

 Ironically, Lane Tech (the epicenter of this debate) has a banned books reading club. Pretty funny, that.

For anyone that knows me, I'm a vocal supporter of ALAOIF and a member of FTRF. I'm ardently anti-censorship. I read the book after hearing all of this controversy, and quite honestly, I think CPS is making a big deal out of nothing. The whole point of teaching a book, is TEACHING it. Guiding the discussion, and providing insight, historical background, and provoking dialogue that gets students thinking about the issues presented in a book. The images of torture in the book appear on a single page  out of 153. The "obscene language" is barely noticeable. CPS claims that they will still teach the book for grades 8-12, but that grade 7 is too young. What difference does one year make? Sometimes a lot, sometimes none at all. Here's something to think about, though: Marjane Satrapi experienced all the things in this book between the ages of 6 and 14 when she left Iran for Austria. She lost friends and family members to war (either from friends moving to the US, classmates becoming soldiers, or even her neighbor's house being bombed), state issued murder, and threats of detainment for dressing wrong (wearing Nikes, showing her hair under her veil, her jeans were too tight, etc.). Ages 6 to 14. And Chicago Public Schools are claiming that 11 and 12 year olds are too young to be reading this material? I call bullshit.

Interview with Marjane Satrapi regarding the Ban
Information about the Banned Books Club
CPS defends their decision
CBLDF rips CPS' defense apart
Full text of Barbara Jones's letter