Description
A great book and series for CIVICS EDUCATION
Combines knowledge of the behind-the-scenes workings of Congress and Capitol Hill's historic locales with suspense, humor, and a young, first-person Latina protagonist who is alive with realistic curiosity, empathy, and determination. --KIRKUS REVIEWS
Fina Mendoza is the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman who solves mysteries in the U.S. Capitol with the help of a big orange dog named Senator Something.
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FINA'S LATEST CASE: Find the mysterious bird that pooped on the president's head during the State of the Union address.
TEACHERS, LIBRARIANS, and HOMESCHOOLERS, The Fina Mendoza Mysteries series of books, podcasts, teacher's guides, and "Facts Behind the Fiction" blog/newsletter provide a multidisciplinary approach to civics education for elementary school readers. As she solves mysteries on Capitol Hill, Fina learns about American democracy and Congress, along with your students. Take them deeper into Common Core knowledge with standards-based instruction through the series' multimedia sources!
SYNOPSIS: Fina Mendoza is sitting in the gallery of the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill for the president's State of the Union speech when a mysterious bird pooped on his head! Is it Chickcharney, the legendary bird from the Caribbean? Did it fly to Washington D.C. with a secret message for the president? Or Congress? Or maybe Fina's friend, a cashier at the Capitol snack bar? Or is the message for Fina from her mom who passed away not so many months ago?
Fina, Senator Something, and St. Sebastian (Fina's new dog-walking client) must outsmart the Capitol Police and the Secret Service to find that bird and uncover its secret message. While our amateur detectives search for clues, readers are introduced to the inner workings of the legislative branch, including a congressional battle over immigration reform. There's another battle in her multigenerational home when Fina's grandmother is nearly arrested at an immigration protest.
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This is the second book in the series, and it's more than just a mystery story!
It's THE WEST WING meets NANCY DREW.
Also available in Spanish! Look for Estado de la Unión by Kitty Felde, translated by Jorge Flores González.
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FREE DOWNLOADABLE TEACHER'S GUIDE AVAILABLE:
- Build reading skills while teaching integrated lessons in:
- ELA, social studies, and history designed for grades 3-5 Common Core Standards
- NCSS curriculum standards, C3 Social Studies Readiness
- California Public Schools' History-Social Science content standards.
- Promote deeper learning through:
- active engagement
- reading comprehension
- content knowledge
- creative and analytical thinking
- Designed for elementary school teachers, librarians, parents, homeschoolers, scout leaders, and other community educators.
INTERACTIVE COMPONENTS & FREE MULTIMEDIA SOURCES:
- Helps address students' diverse learning needs.
- Supports the use of technology in the classroom.
- Dramatic podcast based on the books and current events.
- Facts Behind the Fiction blog and newsletter offer historical and civics context for the books and podcast.
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Introduce civics to your students with "The Fina Mendoza Mysteries" series!
THE FINA MENDOZA MYSTERIES SERIES:
Book 1 - Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza
Book 2 - State of the Union: A Fina Mendoza Mystery
Book 3 - Snake in the Grass
Book 4 - Home of the Brave (coming Spring 2026)
Novella - Losing is Democratic: How to Talk to Kids About January 6th
Podcast - The Fina Mendoza Mysteries
ALSO AVAILABLE IN SPANISH:
Libro 1 - Bienvenida a Washington Fina Mendoza
Libro 2 - Estado de la Unión: Un Misterio de Fina Mendoza
Libro 3 - Serpiente en la Hierba (Otoño 2025)
Libro 4 - Casa de los Valientes (Otoño 2026)
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For fans of:
The Secret Lake
Greenglass House
The Mysterious Benedict Society
National Park Mystery Series
And classic books and detective series like:
The Westing Game
The Boxcar Children
Encyclopedia Brown
The Virginia Mysteries
Hardy Boys
Product Details
| Publisher | Chesapeake Press |
| Publish Date | August 13, 2021 |
| Pages | 206 |
| Language | English |
| Type |  Hardback |
| EAN/UPC | 9781737097815 |
| Dimensions | 8.5 X 5.5 X 0.6 inches | 0.9 pounds |
About the Author
Reviews
"A lively, diverse mystery with enjoyable, informative plotting and a relatable young female protagonist." --Kirkus Reviews
"Many kids will not only learn about civic education in an engaging manner, but also find enjoyment in the learning process." --U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor
"Kitty Felde is teaching our children all about Capitol Hill in a way that grabs and keeps their interest. Personally, I can say she knows every nook and cranny of the place because she interviewed me in almost all of them." --Former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D)
"State of the Union is a civics lesson disguised as a mystery for kids, a family story where Papa just happens to serve in the U.S. Congress. In an era of bitter partisan politics, it's a sneaky way to excite the next generation about government and the possibility of public service." --Former Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Buck McKeon (R)
"State of the Union is a heartwarming read, a gem of a book." --Ginger Park, author of The Hundred Choices Department Store
"State of the Union is another stellar entry in Kitty Felde's outstanding Fina Mendoza Mystery series. State of the Union has it all -- a protagonist you will cheer for, warmth and humor, and a good mystery story underpinning it all. Readers will get an inside look at how their government works -- Felde handles this beautifully, weaving her expertise in seamlessly -- and so much more." --Jan Burke, author of the Irene Kelly mystery series
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