Estado de la Unión

Description:

Un misterio lleno de vida y diversidad, con una trama amena e informativa y una joven protagonista con la que uno se puede identificar. --Kirkus Reviews

La hija de 10 años de un congresista resuelve misterios en el Capitolio de los Estados Unidos con la ayuda de un enorme perro anaranjado llamado Senador Algo... y le enseña civismo a los niños.

El último caso de Fina: encontrar a la misteriosa ave que defecó en la cabeza del presidente durante un Discurso del Estado de la Unión.

The West Wing conoce a Nancy Drew.

---- ENGLISH BOOK DESCRIPTION ----

A lively, diverse mystery with enjoyable, informative plotting and a relatable young female protagonist. --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. Her latest case: find the mysterious bird that pooped on the president's head during the State of the Union address. 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 is the message for Fina from her mom who passed away not so many months ago?

While Fina searches for clues, readers are introduced to the inner workings of American democracy, 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.

Also available in Spanish! Look for Estado de la Unión by Kitty Felde, translated by Jorge Flores González.

A great series for CIVICS EDUCATION

Teachers, Librarians, and Homeschoolers, the Fina Mendoza Mysteries Series of Books and Podcasts provide a multidisciplinary approach to civics education for elementary school readers. As our amateur detective learns about the U.S. legislative branch, the electoral process, and civic engagement - and solves mysteries on Capitol Hill after school - your students learn through the series' multimedia sources.

THE WEST WING meets NANCY DREW

FREE DOWNLOADABLE CURRICULUM 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 use by elementary school teachers, parents, homeschoolers, scout leaders, and community educators.

INTERACTIVE COMPONENTS AND MULTIMEDIA SOURCES:

• Helps address students' diverse learning needs and supports the use of technology in the classroom.
• The Fina Mendoza Mysteries FREE podcast is based on the books and current events.
• The "Facts Behind the Fiction" blog and newsletter offer historical and civics context for both the books and podcast.

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 (coming Spring 2025)

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)

For fans of The Secret Lake, Greenglass House, and "The Mysterious Benedict Society" and "National Park Mystery Series" as well as classic books and detective series like The Westing Game, Boxcar Children, Encyclopedia Brown, The Virginia Mysteries, and Hardy Boys.

Review Quotes:

-- SPANISH ENDORSEMENTS --

"Un misterio lleno de vida y diversidad, con una trama amena e informative y una joven protagonista con la que uno se puede identificar." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Una lectura impresionantemente original, excepcionalmente bien escrita, totalmente entretenida y recomendada ampliamente para niños de 7 a 12 años."--MIdwest Book Review

"Kitty Felde enseña a nuestros hijos todo sobre el Capitolio de una forma que captura y mantiene su interés. Personalmente, puedo decir que conoce todos los rincones del lugar porque me entrevistó en casi todos ellos." -- Barbara Boxer, Senadora de Estados Unidos

"En una época de amarga política partidista, es una forma astuta de entusiasmar a la próxima generación por el gobierno y la posibilidad del servicio público." -- Buck McKeon, Congresista de Estados Unidos y ex presidente del Comité de Educación

"ESTADO DE LA UNIÓN es una lectura conmovedora, una joya de libro." --Ginger Park, autora de Los grandes almacenes de las cien elecciones y "La abeja real

"ESTADO DE LA UNIÓN lo tiene todo - una protagonista a la que apoyarás, calidez y humor, y una buena historia de misterio que lo sustenta todo." --Jan Burke, autora de los Misterios de Irene Kelly

-- ENGLISH ENDORSEMENTS --

"A lively, diverse mystery with enjoyable, informative plotting and a relatable young female protagonist." --Kirkus Reviews

"An impressively original, exceptionally well written, thoroughly entertaining, and unreservedly recommended read for children ages 7-12." --Midwest Book Review

"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." --U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer

"State of the Union is a civics lesson disguised as a mystery for kids.... 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." --Congressman Buck McKeon, Former Chair of House Committee on Education and the Workforce

"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."--Jan Burke, author of the Irene Kelly Mysteries

"It's the perfect mix of mystery, heart, and important lessons. A book I'd recommend for classrooms and families alike!"--Frances Diaz Evans, Discovering Espanol

"A must in every school library!"--Latino Book Awards, GOLD MEDAL WINNER