This post is sponsored by Jeff Greenwald. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

MY REVIEW

A new book landed in my inbox to review, and the timing couldn’t feel more uncanny. As we’re all watching the US Open unfold until September 7th, this book comes from none other than two-time tennis champion Jeff Greenwald. And just yesterday, we witnessed exactly why his message matters: during a tense match between Daniil Medvedev and Terence Atmane, a photographer disrupted play, and Medvedev erupted—smashing his racket, shouting at officials, and forcing a six-minute delay. It was a raw reminder that even the world’s best can unravel under stress. Which is why I’m so excited to spotlight Greenwald’s The Mental Edge, reviewed here as part of The Children’s Book Review Awareness Tour.

Forget drills and scoreboards—The Mental Edge focuses on the part of the game that matters most: the mind. It’s a guide for athletes and families learning to thrive under pressure.

Just think of Simone Biles, who admitted she would have quit “five hundred times” without her teammates’ support. Or Naomi Osaka, who stepped away from the French Open and spoke openly about her struggles with depression and anxiety. Or Madison Holleran, the runner whose tragic death revealed how heavy hidden pressures can be. Or Tyler Hilinski, the Washington State quarterback whose loss shocked the sports world. These stories remind us that behind every trophy is a human being wrestling with expectation and fear.

Jeff has divided the book into under 30 short, digestible chapters. Build a Mastery Mindset lays the foundation for shifting away from perfectionism, while Reframe Your Self-Doubt shows kids how to silence their inner critic before it spirals.

The Parent’s Guide is a standout, with chapters like Put Yourself in Their Shoes and Normalize Their Pre-Event Nerves. As Michael Phelps said, “It’s okay to not be okay.” Serena Williams has admitted that self-doubt can creep in even after championships, and NBA star Kevin Love has spoken openly about panic attacks.

This book isn’t just about winning—it’s about raising stronger kids. The Mental Edge for Young Athletes is a resource every family can lean on.

GIVEAWAY

Stand a chance to win your own copy!

Click here for the entry form: https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/the-mental-edge-for-young-athletes-awareness-tour/

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Mental Edge for Young Athletes: A World Champion’s Toughness Guide for Athletes, Parents, and Coaches in the Digital Age

Written by Jeff Greenwald, MFT

Ages 10+ | 209 Pages

Publisher: Greenwald Performance Publishing (2025) | ISBN-13: 979-8-9926109-1-8

Publisher’s Book Summary: The Mental Edge for Young Athletes is a practical, one-of-a-kind guide for athletes and their parents (includes a powerful parent guide) written by two-time world champion and elite mental coach Jeff Greenwald, MFT. A licensed psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience helping youth athletes and their families, Jeff shares real-world, proven tools to build confidence, manage performance anxiety, improve family dynamics, and reinforce your child’s new mental and emotional skills.

Through short, easy-to-read chapters, this guide brings real conversations with young athletes to life—along with inspiring stories and mindset strategies used by the world’s top competitors. Kids will learn how to bounce back from mistakes, stay focused under pressure, and compete with greater motivation, clarity, and resilience. There is also a parent’s guide with Jeff’s top recommendations on how you can successfully navigate the most challenging moments we face with our young athletes.

While many mental training books for kids offer surface-level advice or rigid checklists, The Mental Edge for Young Athletes goes deeper. It bridges the gap between theory and real-world application—bringing to life the mindset tools used by elite performers in a way that young athletes (and their parents) can truly relate to. With real stories, actionable techniques, and a compassionate voice, this book offers what most guides miss: authenticity, relevance, and lasting impact.

Whether you’re a parent supporting your child, a coach guiding your team, or a young athlete striving to succeed, this book will become an essential companion in both sport and life.

PURCHASE LINK

Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff Greenwald, MFT, is a world champion athlete, licensed psychotherapist, best-selling author, and one of the world’s leading mental coaches for athletes. With over 25 years of experience helping youth, college, and professional competitors thrive under pressure, Jeff brings a rare blend of elite performance insight and clinical expertise to his work.

He is the author of the international bestseller The Best Tennis of Your Life, which has sold over 75,000 copies worldwide, and the new book The Mental Edge for Young Athletes—a groundbreaking guide for building confidence, emotional resilience, and a stronger mindset in sports and life.

Jeff has worked with athletes across every major sport and consulted for national teams, Fortune 500 leaders, top junior academies, and competitive athletes at all levels of sport. He is a two-time ITF World Champion and was inducted into the Northern California Tennis Hall of Fame in 2019 for his contribution in the field of sports psychology and success as a world-ranked tennis player.

Through his writing, coaching, and speaking, Jeff empowers athletes and their families to navigate the mental game with clarity, courage, and lasting confidence.

To learn more, visit mentaledgeforsports.com.

TOUR SCHEDULE

Friday, August 22, 2025The Children’s Book ReviewBook Review of The Mental Edge for Young Athletes

Monday, August 25, 2025The Children’s Book Review5 of the Best Mental Toughness Books for Youth Sports

Tuesday, August 26, 2025The Starlit PathBook Review of The Mental Edge for Young Athletes

Thursday, August 28, 2025@pagesforpaigeInstagram Post about The Mental Edge for Young Athletes

Friday, August 29, 2025icefairy’s Treasure ChestBook Review of The Mental Edge for Young Athletes

Monday, September 1, 2025The Children’s Book ReviewAuthor Interview with Jeff Greenwald

Tuesday, September 2, 2025Country Mamas With KidsBook Review of The Mental Edge for Young Athletes

Thursday, September 4, 2025Deliciously SavvyBook Review of The Mental Edge for Young Athletes

Friday, September 5, 2025The Fairview ReviewBook Review of The Mental Edge for Young Athletes

Tuesday, September 16, 2025Confessions of a Book AddictBook Spotlight on The Mental Edge for Young Athletes

Monday, September 22, 2025@nissa_the.bookwormBook Review of The Mental Edge for Young Athletes