Of Roots And Wings

The St. Francis Orphan Asylum, in the heart of Pennsylvania coal country circa 1949 was the institutional epitome of regimented order, reverent obedience, and carefully-guarded secrets, but for twenty-three month old Beverly and her seven siblings, it represented a strange new world that would effectively serve to disintegrate their family bonds, subject them to dehumanizing discipline and segregation by age, gender, and religion - and inflict upon them unspeakable abuse.Of Roots and Wings gives voice to these victims of unimaginable injury who endured their plight in a collective state of silent rage, as it recounts the life journey of this little girl in the form of an uplifting memoir of hope and self-acceptance that revisits the unbelievable, bizarre, enchanting, heartfelt, and hilarious moments and experiences that punctuated author Julie Swope's life.