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Hi! Deb Gonzales here. I’m a children’s author, career educator, and marketing strategist who has spent years crafting resources that connect people with literature in meaningful ways. As the founder of Guides by Deb, I’ve created over 400+ standards-aligned educator guides for some of the finest books in the business. And as the founder of Pin Lit Marketing, I now help book creators harness the power of Pinterest to expand their reach and keep their books discoverable for years to come.

My expertise in education, curriculum development, and book marketing strategy makes me uniquely qualified to help authors, illustrators, and publishers boost book visibility—whether through standards-aligned guides or Pinterest strategy. With an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts, I understand the literary world from both the creative and business sides.

If you’re looking for high-quality, affordable, project-specific supplemental materials or a marketing strategy that keeps your books discoverable, let’s talk!

Stop by Deb's Author Website

Stop by Deb's Author Website

Lizzie Flying Solo

Lizzie Flying Solo

Debbie Gonzales
Middle Grade, Educator

Guides by Deb – Keeping your books in the hearts of young readers and in the hands of those who care for them.

Lizzie Flying Solo

Author: Nanci Turner Steveson

ISBN: 978-0062673183

Publisher: HarperCollins

Summary: A lyrical, poignant middle grade novel about embracing change, accepting help from others, and finding a place to call home. Perfect for fans of Raymie Nightingale.

Lizzie St. Claire wants to be invisible. Forced to move out of her home, she and her mom now live in a transitional housing shelter, Good Hope, until they can get back on their feet.

Lizzie just wants to keep her head down at Good Hope and her new school, so she doesn’t have to admit the real reason she and her mom lost everything.

But when Lizzie finds herself at the nearby Birchwood Stables, some new friends—along with the arrival of a frightened pony named Fire—help Lizzie to open up and accept help from those around her, even if it means she’ll have more to lose if things change again.

Key Teaching Value: Turns hardship into hope—showing how honesty, help, and giving back transform “flying solo” into belonging.

Educator Guide Content Summary: Students follow Lizzie’s journey from invisibility to agency while navigating homelessness, friendship, and healing at Birchwood Stables. Activities include rich discussion prompts, a Horse Care & Equipment crossword, a thematic study with templates, a concrete poem project, and a “Giving Back” planning guide—building empathy, voice, and community impact (CCSS-aligned).

Educator Guide
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