Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza

A great book and series for CIVICS EDUCATION

A lively mystery with a touch of spookiness, an intriguing setting, an appealing family dynamic, and an enterprising Latina heroine. —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 FIRST CASE: Beware the Demon Cat of Capitol Hill!

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 our amateur detective solves mysteries on Capitol Hill, Fina learns about American democracy, the electoral process and legislative branch along with your students. Take them deeper into Common Core knowledge with standards-based instruction through the series' multimedia sources!

SYNOPSIS: Legends say if you see the Demon Cat of Capitol Hill, you're cursed with bad luck. Fina Mendoza, the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman from California, just saw it. And the last thing her family needs right now is more bad luck!

Fina and her older sister Gabby just moved to Washington, D.C. after the death of their mom to live with Papa. 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.

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This Readers' Favorite Award-winning novel is more than a mystery story!

It's THE WEST WING meets NANCY DREW.

Also available in Spanish! Look for Bienvenida a Washington Fina Mendoza 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