Description

Un misterio animado con un toque de suspenso, un entorno fascinante, una dinámica familiar interesante, y una protagonista latina emprendedora. – Kirkus Reviews

La hija de 10 años de un congresista resuelve misterios en el Capitolio de los Estados Unidos… y le enseña civismo a los niños. ¿Podrá salvar a su familia de la maldición del Gato Demonio de Capitol Hill?

-- ENGLISH DESCRIPTION --

A lively mystery with a touch of spookiness, an intriguing setting, an appealing family dynamic, and an enterprising Latina heroine. – Kirkus Reviews

Legends say if you see the Demon Cat of Capitol Hill, you're cursed with bad luck. Ten-year-old Fina Mendoza just saw it. And the last thing her family needs right now is a jinx!

Fina and her older sister Gabby just moved to Washington, D.C. after the death of their mom to live with Papa, a congressman from California. But then she comes face-to-whiskers with a mysterious cat in the Capitol Crypt. Is it the Demon Cat?

Disasters follow! Jars of spaghetti sauce explode. Fina's beloved grandmother Abuelita breaks her leg. And Fina's only friend in Washington, a big orange dog named Senator Something, becomes the next target.

The only way for Fina to save her family from future "cat"astrophe is to solve the mystery of the Demon Cat of Capitol Hill.

Fina takes us backstage at the U.S. Capitol to see firsthand how government works with an emphasis on Congress and the Legislative Branch. The Fina Mendoza Mysteries provide an introduction to civics for elementary age children.

THE FINA MENDOZA MYSTERIES SERIES:
Book 1 – Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza
Book 2 – State of the Union
Book 3 – Snake in the Grass (coming soon)

ALSO AVAILABLE IN SPANISH:
Book 1 – Bienvenida a Washington Fina Mendoza
Book 2 – Estado de la Unión
Book 3 – Serpiente en la Hierba (muy pronto)

ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES:
– Perfect for classroom or homeschooling settings
– Free podcast based on the books and current events: The Fina Mendoza Mysteries
– 32-page Teacher's Guide including language arts, math, and social studies lessons

About the Author

La periodista de radio pública galardonada, escritora, y ponente de TEDx Kitty Felde es anfitriona del podcast Book Club for Kids, nombrado por el diario The Times de Londres como uno de los 10 mejores podcasts para niños del mundo. La nativa de Los Ángeles creó el buró de Washington para la Radio Pública del Sur de California. Kitty cubrió Capitol Hill por casi una década, explicándole a los mayores cómo funcionaba el gobierno. Ahora, se lo explica a los niños en una serie de novelas de misterio y podcasts llamados Los Misterios de Fina Mendoza. Kitty ha sido nombrada como la Periodista de la Radio de LA del Año tres veces por el LA Press Club y la Society of Professional Journalists. Se enamoró de la literatura infantil cuando trabajó en su biblioteca pública local.

Praise For…

A lively mystery with a touch of spookiness, an intriguing setting, an appealing family dynamic, and an enterprising Latina heroine.
– KIRKUS REVIEWS

Weaves together the themes of mystery, change, family, and grief into a resolution that satisfies on all levels.
– BOOKLIST

Fina Mendoza is the kind of bright, lively, curious, loving little girl you want for a best friend forever. The book is a marvelous introduction to the workings of government, and of a young lady of spunk and smarts.
– SUSAN STAMBERG, NPR

A fun read disguised as a book for grade schoolers, it gives keen insight into the everyday workings of the U. S. Capitol and its inhabitants.
– FORMER U.S. CONGRESSMAN DAVID DREIER (R), former chair of the House Rules Committee

A beautiful story told through the eyes of a gutsy Latina protagonist, it introduces children to the daily hum of life in our nation's capital. Told with unerring accuracy, my son and I recognized the perfect descriptions of the Capitol and Fina's rich cultural traditions.
– U.S. CONGRESSWOMAN LINDA SÁNCHEZ (D)

Readers like me, old and young, will love learning about the customs and eccentricities in the halls of power that are interwoven into a moving comedy/drama of two sisters adjusting to the loss of their mother, of a congressman coping as a single parent, and of an abuelita protecting her grandchildren. And they'll laugh out loud at the antics of the goofy orange dog, Senator Something. This patriotic and nonpartisan whodunit is both timely and welcome!
– GAIL CARSON LEVINE, author of Ella Enchanted

Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza is the perfect book for upper elementary - middle school students looking for an engaging text that delivers adventure and intrigue in the nation's capital. Readers from DC will appreciate the references to life in the city and various DC neighborhoods and landmarks. All readers will be able to relate to Fina's curiosity to know more about the mystery and history of the Capitol as she navigates adjusting to big life changes.
– ANGELA FALKENBERG, librarian, Columbia Heights Educational Campus - Washington DC

As a public school teacher from Los Angeles, it is especially important to have my students get a glimpse into how politics work at both the local level and in DC. Kitty's book tackles themes of family, friendship and pre-adolescent life through the eyes of Fina Mendoza. It is both a mirror for my students with familiar experiences and a window to the life of a congressperson's daughter. A welcome addition to our First Chapter Friday readings and our classroom library. Don't forget to check out The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast that accompanies the book for more fun.
– JOE RODRIGUEZ, 4th grade teacher - Los Angeles