A White Sport Coat and a Pink Carnation

About the Book

The story is a fast-paced human drama. High school is a time of innocence, a time for fun, when adolescents establish a set of values that will last a lifetime. In 1957, teens were carousing all across the country, as the 1950’s were in full roar. The Bronx, New York was no different. Relive the adventures of the “in” crowd at St. Helena’s Catholic high school as they learn the importance of friendship and the meaning of love.

On a lark, four high school seniors celebrate an 18th birthday party in the school cafeteria. The only problems were that the school was closed for the night, and they brought along a keg of beer for the party. The nuns living three floors above, hear the commotion and think a rape is in process and phone the police, causing all Hell to break loose.  

The influence of the church and school seemed limitless. Most of the clergy served as a maturing authority to guide their students along the straight and narrow path. However, one rouge administrator had his own interpretation of the Lord’s missive. From this Brother’s prospective, it was the principle behind the punishment that mattered. Responsible adults would be developed out of irresponsible boys. His actions and excessive punishments aimed at breaking down a select few pranksters would only serve as a rallying point to unify the student body and faculty to support the targets of his vengeance.

About the Author

Joe Murphy is the author of the highly acclaimed A White Sport Coat and a Pink Carnation, Duty Honor Country and Valhalla. He is a former United States Marine Corps Officer who lives in Fairfield, Connecticut with his wife Grace Patricia.