The Confidence Quest: Seven Epic Adventures to Help Tweens Build Courage, Face Their Fears, and Level Up in Real Life

The Confidence Quest: Seven Epic Adventures to Help Tweens Build Courage, Face Their Fears, and Level Up in Real Life

Your child isn’t broken. They’re just afraid to try. Many tweens struggle with confidence; not because they don’t care, but because they don’t yet trust themselves . And most confidence books don't actually help with that. Many kids hesitate. They overthink. They hold back, even when they want to step forward. The Confidence Quest was created for children exactly like this. This book helps tweens practice courage before they need it. Instead of lectures, advice, or pressure, this book uses short, relatable stories that allow children to: • See themselves in the characters • Explore fear safely • Build confidence from the inside out Each story invites reflection, not performance—so confidence grows naturally, at a child’s own pace. So, what is this book? The Confidence Quest is a story-based confidence book for tweens ages 9-12. It features seven short, imaginative stories , each followed by gentle reflection prompts that help children think about: • Fear • Courage • Self-trust • Real-life choices The stories are designed to be read independently—without adult explanation—so children can explore confidence in a way that feels safe and personal. What this book helps your child do: • Build confidence without being told to “just be brave” • Understand fear instead of avoiding it • Practice decision-making in low-pressure situations • Develop emotional awareness through story, not instruction • Feel capable even when things feel uncomfortable These are skills children carry into school, friendships, and real-world challenges. Why this book feels different from other confidence books: Many confidence books for kids rely on cheerleading, generic affirmations, or adult advice rewritten for children. The Confidence Quest takes a different approach. It meets tweens where they already are (curious, thoughtful, unsure) and gives them space to discover courage for themselves. No preaching. No fluff. No pressure to perform. Designed for thoughtful tweens (ages 9-12) This book is especially helpful for children who: • Struggle with self-doubt or hesitation • Are sensitive, introspective, or anxious • Don’t respond well to lectures or “pep talks” It’s ideal for independent reading or for parents who want meaningful conversations without forced talks. A quiet, powerful step toward confidence. If you’re looking for a book that helps your child build real confidence—not the loud, forced kind, but the steady kind that lasts— The Confidence Quest was written for you. "This book didn't try to hype my child up or tell them to 'just be confident.' The stories helped them think through situations in a way that actually felt natural." — Parent Reviewer "A thoughtful, story-driven approach to confidence that respects how tweens actually process fear, hesitation, and self-doubt." — Educator Review "My child related to the stories right away. It opened the door to good conversations without feeling forced." — Parent Reviewer "A refreshing alternative to loud, generic confidence books." — Reader Review Hi, I'm Derek T Freeman, and if you've found The Confidence Quest , I'm glad you're here. For several years, I've written books focused on helping teens build real, lasting confidence. But through conversations with parents, readers, and educators, I kept coming back to the same thought: What if confidence didn't have to be rebuilt later? What if kids could begin practicing courage, resilience, and self-trust before self-doubt takes hold?   These questions led to The Confidence Quest .   I wanted to create something that didn't lecture or pressure kids: a story-based experience where they could reflect, imagine, and explore their own inner strength at their own pace. Each short story invites readers into a new world, but the real journey is always inward. This book was designed especially for thoughtful, curious kids who may hesitate, overthink, or doubt themselves—and for the adults who care deeply about helping them grow without forcing the process. The Confidence Quest is my first book written specifically for pre-teens, and the beginning of what I hope will become a series of interactive "quests" that help young readers better understand who they are and what they're capable of. If you're a parent, teacher, or counselor, my hope is that this book gives your reader something meaningful: a story they can enjoy, reflect on, and quietly grow from. Thank you for being part of this first quest. — Derek T Freeman Derek T Freeman is the author of Building Unstoppable Self-Confidence for Teens and 88 Life-Changing High School Hacks.   His work aims to inspire tweens, teens, parents, and families by providing motivational content and guiding them through the years that are often seen as the most challenging parts of both parenting and growing up.   Derek is a musician by trade and toured the US for nine years after graduating high school, releasing six