by Kevin Powers
First published 2021
O'Shea stands at the edge of the biggest spelling bee of his life, but self-doubt gnaws at him. He wonders if he has studied enough, practiced enough, prepared enough to win. Then his old enemies arrive: Fear whispers that he will fail, while Nervous makes his hands shake and his mind go blank. These unwelcome visitors try to convince O'Shea that he lacks the ability to succeed. On the day of the competition, Fear and Nervous show up again, determined to sabotage his chances. This time O'Shea fights back. He calls on Confidence to stand beside him and push away the negative voices. Through this internal battle, O'Shea discovers a powerful truth. When he believes in his own abilities, the spelling bee becomes manageable. The words flow easily from his mind to his lips. Kevin Powers crafts a story about the universal struggle between self-doubt and self-belief, showing young readers that confidence can overcome fear.
Genres: fiction, self-help, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: internal-conflict, overcoming-adversity
24 pages · Paperback · Independently published