Welcome to rocketry and the Forum.
For your own safety as well as those around your launch area, if you are really completely "new" to model rocketry, I'd encourage you to buy and build at least one or two skill level 1 kits before you start scratch building. It's not that scratch building is that difficult, but you should have an appreciation of what a "regular" rocket builds, finishes, and flies like before you go off on your own.
Just as important is to see if there are any local launch clubs where you can meet people with some experience. For the most part rocketeers are pretty friendly, most have even had all their shots.
You can do pretty well at most local hobby stores (particularly stores with 40% off coupons!) getting a starter kit that will have a launch pad, an electric igniter system, one or two rockets to build (or possibly RTF-- Ready to Fly.) I've found that buying the set is often cheaper than buying these components individually anyway. Some options include Estes Tandem X launch set (has one RTF rocket and one you have to build), Solar Scouts Launch, and Taser Launch Set. I'm sure Quest has some good stuff to, just not as familiar with them. (And no, I'm not a paid consultant, LOL.)
I'll echo previous posts, Stine's book and Van Milligan's book are very good resources to read (and RE-read) BEFORE you start doing your own designs.
Tom