Dwayne S. Joseph's talents shine in this compelling coming-of-age novel about seventeen-year-old Brian Moore, who seems to be a "bad kid" thanks to his friends, but who's also struggling to escape the streets. Despite the straight A's Brian gets in school, there's still plenty of trouble swirling around him all the time, threatening to drag him down into it. Brian has no father and his mother, Deahnna, works two jobs so she's never around. His teacher, Jawan White, came from the same streets as Brian, and he knows there's more in Brian's future than being a thug, but his constant lecturing isn't helping matters any. But when Jawan falls for Deahnna, and Brian's girlfriend learns she's pregnant--that's when the real drama begins.
Dwayne S. Joseph lives by the credo, "The pen is mightier than the sword." He's been crafting engaging tales since the age of thirteen. A multi-dimensional author, Dwayne has written novels ranging from relationship drama, erotica suspense, to his favorite, mystery suspense.
It’as all about growth for Mr. Joseph. He strives to grow and improve with each novel and he he feels that’s what the readers deserve. His goal is to entertain his readers with unforgettable storylines and characters that they just can’t stop talking about.
He currently resides in Illinois with his wife, their three children, and the family dog, Duke, where is hard at work on his next novel.
In Growing Pains by Dwayne S. Joseph we are introduced to Jawan White, an 11th grade English teacher at an inner city high school. Jawan returns to the school after having attended the school himself to prove you can grow up in the inner city and not fall victim to the negative influences surrounding you.
Brian Moore is a seventeen-year-old student in Jawan's class. Jawan sees a tremendous amount of potential in Brian but Jawan also sees Brian hanging around with the wrong crowd and he's worried that these friends could cause him a tremendous amount of problems. Jawan reaches out to Brian in an effort to try and save him from the streets but Brian is not very receptive to his offer.
Brian is a young man caught between a rock and a hard place, Brian knows that his friends are involved in the wrong things but he feels a sense of loyalty to them. Brian's relationship with his girlfriend Carla is the one thing that is good within his life. When she tells him a secret he is torn by doing the right thing or by doing something that he knows is ultimately wrong.
A chance encounter between Brian's mother Deahnna and Jawan will lead to more than either or of them could have ever expected. Jawan and Dehanna have both experienced heartbreak from past relationships but cannot deny the attraction they feel for each other. Brian notices the chemistry between his teacher and mother and does not hide his displeasure about them possibly becoming a couple. Will Brian's feelings matter to them and hinder what could be? If you want to know the answer then you will have to read the book for yourself.
Brian is a teenager that has to make some really huge adult decisions. Decisions that have life altering consequences. It's funny the decision you make today can affect you for the rest of your life. Growing Pains by Dwayne S. Joseph is the perfect title for this book. Every character in this book is experiencing their own sort of growing pains. This was a phenomenal read! This is a book I think anybody would read and enjoy.
Kudos to Mr. Joseph for a wel -written novel. Mr. Joseph definitely did not disappoint!
My First Reaction When I Finished: Wow! What a page turner! I was so surprised at all of the action at the end!
My Review:
Brian was really a smart kid, but he hung with the wrong crowd. They are out to do things to make money, and Brian is really having a bad feeling about what they are planning to do. It really goes against who he is, but then his girlfriend Carla tells him something unexpected. Suddenly, he just doesn't know which way to go with it. Even though he knows what they are doing is wrong and will really hurt someone he has known a long time, the money is just looking so good. Does he do what is right, or does money rule his decision?
Jawan was such a dedicated teacher and he really wanted to help Brian out. He reminded him of his nephew that he lost. He really wants to make a difference in kids lives, and Brian just really seems like he could use his guidance since he does not have any kind of male role model.
Brian's mother tries to do everything she can to bring Brian up the right way, even if it means keeping her past relationship troubles to herself. She also works as hard as she can to support them, but she has a secret of her own.
I've read most of Dwayne Joseph's books, and each one keeps getting better! I see more growth in his writing every time a new book comes out! His novels are becoming less about relationship drama and more about real life issues that really hit home for some people. This book was a very quick read for me and kept me turning the pages faster as I got closer to the end. I was very impressed with this book!
THIS WAS GREAT BOOK. LOVED THE WAY IT ENDED. WONDER WHY OLDMAN BLACKWILL CHARCTER NEVER SAID WHY HE LET BRIAN GO AFTER THE ARMMED ROBBER HIM AND HIS FRIENDS DID. IN HIS CHECK CASHING STORE. HIS MOTHER WAS STRONG WOMAN WHO DID EVERTHING SHE COULD FOR HER SON EVEN THOUGH HIS FATHER NEVER WAS IN HIS LIFE. SHE FINALLY FOUND HAPPNESS WITH JAWAN BRIAN'S TEACHER.BRIAN AND CARLA STUCK TOGETHER IN THE END AND HAD THERE SON. OVERALLY GREAT BOOK!