Ghetto Flowers Dark & Light is the story of inner city youth from the ethnically diverse South Philadelphia neighborhoods. The unfolding of their lives reveals the full spectrum of the adolescent experience. These intriguing, delightful characters ride the tide of change brought about by the nationwide social and political turmoil of the late 1960's and early 1970's. Change sweeps through their community, requiring them to blossom or wither as they are tossed into the darkness of inner city realities. The challenges that were partially brought about by the civil rights movement and the Vietnam war bring them face-to-face with racism and violence. They must find a way to break through prejudice and ignorance and grow into the light of self-awareness that will lead them to personal freedom. The powerful influences of the counter-culture phenomenon with its philosophical mantra of peace and love, which rode the wave of rock and roll music, seeps its way into their lives, providing an opportunity to view the world and themselves in a radically new light.The New Jersey seashore becomes the sanctuary where the battle-scarred Ghetto Glowers search for new meaning and purpose, and create a circle of friends that provide the necessary sustenance to feed their growing hearts and minds.These young people demonstrate remarkable resilience and intellectual acuity in discovering the transforming power of love, liberating their minds as they learn the value of true friendship and experience romance. Join the Ghetto Flowers on their journey of self-discovery and learn from their experiences.
About the Author: Francis O. Lynn was born in South Philadelphia and lived there for the first nineteen years of his life. The experience of growing up in a unique inner city community contributed significantly to his commitment to the educational development of people of all ages. He was inspired by his students to write the stories he told about the inner city and other experiences. The Ghetto Flowers series of novels are the fruition of that inspiration. Francis received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University, concentrating his studies in psychology, anthropology and education. He received his Masters degree in education from The College of New Jersey. He began his professional career working for the South Bend, Indiana Community School Corporation developing peer influence programs in several high schools. Francis created and directed the Youth Enrichment Program for the city of Bloomington, Indiana and served as a counselor in a shelter for runaway teenagers. He taught high school social studies and served as a counselor at the Harmony School, an independent K-12 school in Bloomington, Indiana. Francis served as Youth Programs Director at Powell House, a Quaker education and retreat center in Old Chatham, New York. There, he facilitated conferences designed to create a positive youth culture within the tradition of the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker) for youth from diverse cultural backgrounds. As part of that work, Francis conducted education adventure programs in Costa Rica, England, Native American Reservations and other areas of interest throughout the United States, introducing young people to principles of ecology and cultural diversity. Francis continues to teach and lead education adventure programs for young people and adults. He lives in Princeton, NJ with his wife and four children.