ABOUT JARRETT
Jarrett Dapier is an author, librarian, and lifelong drummer. His debut YA graphic novel, WAKE NOW IN THE FIRE, illustrated by AJ Dungo and edited by Ginee Seo, is about teens fighting censorship in Chicago and is based on true events. It will be published by Ten Speed Graphic on February 3, 2026.
Jarrett's picture book, MR. WATSON's CHICKENS, illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi and published by Chronicle Books, received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly and Kirkus, received the Junior Library Guild Gold Standard distinction, and was selected by NPR and Bookpage as one of the best books of 2021. Jarrett's picture book, JAZZ FOR LUNCH!, illustrated by Eugenia Mello and published by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, received a starred review in Kirkus and was a finalist for the Ezra Jack Keats awards for both writing and illustration. His third picture book, THE MOST HAUNTED HOUSE IN AMERICA, is a goofy, ghostly, rhythmic romp based on Jarrett's experience drumming while dressed as a skeleton at the White House in 2009. That book is illustrated by Lee Gatlin, published by Abrams Books, and was a 2023 Illinois Reads selection.
Jarrett loves reading, playing the drums, visiting libraries and bookstores with friends, going to punk rock and heavy metal shows with his son, visiting historic Chicago sites with his wife, seeing theatre with his daughter (or theatre performed by his daughter), laying on the floor with his rescue dog Loki, swimming in Lake Michigan, watching and caring for birds around Chicago, kayaking in lagoons, and eating lots of candy.
Jarrett hosts a podcast called I'm With the Banned, which is devoted to examining censorship in American culture through conversations with writers, readers, and librarians. He also drums in a band called Fascinator (you can find their 4-song EP called "Trust Falls" on all the streaming platforms).
Jarrett was born with a crossed eye, asthma, and the start of a sixth finger dangling off his left hand. He can see the hospital where he was born from his backyard.
Jarrett lives within spitting distance of Chicago in Evanston, IL.
*Author photo by Erin R. Allen
**Drawing of Jarrett on home page by Summer Pierre,
whose journal comics are among Jarrett's favorite books