The Many Fortunes of Maya
Helping students find their voice starts with meaningful stories—and The Many Fortunes of Maya delivers a powerful SEL experience rooted in identity, courage, and self-trust. Perfect for teachers, librarians, and homeschoolers looking for meaningful middle grade mentor texts.
Helping Students Trust Their Inner Voice: A Classroom Experience Inspired by The Many Fortunes of Maya
Have you ever noticed how kids look for answers outside of themselves?
They ask friends.
They follow trends.
They hope someone else will tell them what to do.
But what if the most important voice…
…is already inside them?
That’s exactly the journey The Many Fortunes of Maya invites students to explore.
Book Snapshot
Title: The Many Fortunes of Maya
Author: Nicole D. Collier
Publisher: Versify (HarperCollins)
Age Range: 8–12
Grade Level: 3–7
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Themes:
Identity & self-discovery
Family change & separation
Friendship dynamics
Authenticity & courage
Decision-making
A Story That Speaks to the Heart
Maya uses her “Wheel of Fortunes” to help answer life’s big questions…
But some questions are harder than others.
Why does her best friend feel distant?
Why isn’t her family the same anymore?
And most importantly…
Can she trust her own voice?
As noted in the guide, Maya wrestles with questions about family separation, authenticity, and courage—learning that real answers don’t always come from outside sources .
This is a story about learning to listen inward.
Why This Book Matters
This book beautifully supports students who are:
Navigating family changes (separation, divorce)
Struggling with identity and peer influence
Seeking confidence in decision-making
Learning to balance expectations vs. personal passions
Developing emotional awareness and voice
What Students Will Learn
How to distinguish external influence vs. inner truth
The importance of authenticity and conviction
How emotions connect to decision-making
How to reflect on personal experiences through text
How to engage in meaningful discussion about real-life challenges
What’s Inside This Educator Guide
Pre-reading prediction activities
Deep comprehension + discussion questions
SEL-focused reflection prompts
Text-to-self connections
Writing extensions tied to identity and growth
Standards-aligned instruction (CCSS across reading, writing, speaking & listening)
Standout Activity: The Many Fortunes of YOU!
Inspired by Maya’s fortune wheel, students:
Spin a fortune prompt
Reflect on how it connects to their own life
Write a personal response or short essay
As outlined on page 2, students analyze how a fortune relates to their experiences, building self-awareness and writing skills simultaneously .
And the visual spinner on page 3?
It’s interactive, engaging, and instantly classroom-ready.
Try This in Your Classroom
Morning meeting reflection tool
SEL journaling prompt
Writing workshop warm-up
Small group discussion starter
Counseling or guidance lesson extension
Download the Free Educator Guide
Ready to bring this powerful experience into your classroom?
This guide is part of my Guides by Deb collection—standards-aligned resources designed to help educators turn great books into meaningful learning experiences.
I’m Debbie Gonzales, author, educator, and founder of Pin Lit Marketing, where I help children’s book creators grow their visibility through Pinterest.
Together, this work connects books, educators, and readers in lasting ways.
