Island Odyssey: Ghetto Flowers in Paradise

Francis Oliver Lynn was born in South Philadelphia and lived there for the first nineteen years of his life. The experience of growing up in a culturally and economically unique community contributed significantly to his commitment to the education of people of all ages. He was inspired by his students to write the stories he told about the inner city and other adventures. The Ghetto Flowers novels are the fruition of that inspiration. Francis received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University, concentrating his studies on psychology, anthropology and education. He received his Masters in the Art of Teaching 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 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 for youth from diverse cultures. As part of that work, Francis conducted cultural ecology education adventures to Costa Rica, England, Native American Reservations and other areas of educational value throughout the United States, introducing young people to principles of ecology and cultural diversity. Francis currently teaches language arts, math, science, social studies, and leads education adventure programs for young people and adults. He lives in Princeton, New Jersey with his wife and four children.