Chicago. A city. A home. A world. For these authors, Chicago is where they were raised and where they have spent their lives. Hear about their love for the city and its trains, graffiti, parks, and sports.

— Simon Traub-Epstein, International Library of Young Authors

From the publisher: “A Flower Blooming in the Dark asks readers to reconsider the negative narrative that is often imposed on Chicago. The memoirs and poems in this book offer a glimpse of Chicago as it should be seen: a complicated, big, beautiful, messy, frustrating, wonderful city. From the magic of first love to the uncertainty of failure, from a neighborhood game of Hide and Seek to the top floor of the John Hancock Building, follow along as these 100 teens provide readers with an education in living in and representing their city.”