Growing Pains - Joseph Ball

Alexander is eleven years old - happy, kind, and surrounded by love. Until one day, he isn’t.

Set in 1990s England, Growing Pains is a raw, fictionalised memoir of a boy who goes from cherished son to silent observer in his own home. As his father's mood darkens, Alexander begins to realise that nothing he says or does is ever right, and worse, it may never have been.

What follows is a powerful coming-of-age story rooted in emotional truth: one that explores the quiet trauma of emotional abuse, toxic masculinity, and the desperate need to be seen. As Alexander clings to school, football, and fleeting moments of normality, he tries to make sense of why love has turned to blame, and whether it’s even possible to fight back when silence is survival.

Inspired by real events, Growing Pains is the first in a bold new series from debut author Joseph Ball. Written entirely from the perspective of the child, this book refuses to explain away cruelty, instead, it immerses the reader in the raw confusion, fear, and resilience of a boy who just wants to be understood.