{"product_id":"state-of-the-union-a-fina-mendoza-mystery-9781735976792","title":"State of the Union: A Fina Mendoza Mystery","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eA lively, diverse mystery with enjoyable, informative plotting and a relatable young female protagonist.\u003c\/i\u003e --KIRKUS REVIEWS\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eFina Mendoza \u003c\/b\u003eis 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. \u003cb\u003eHer latest case: \u003c\/b\u003e find the mysterious bird that pooped on the president's head during the \u003cb\u003eState of the Union address\u003c\/b\u003e. 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? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhile Fina searches for clues, readers are introduced to the inner workings of American democracy, including a congressional battle over immigration reform.\u003c\/b\u003e There's another battle in her multigenerational home when Fina's grandmother is nearly arrested at an immigration protest. \u003cp\u003e Also available in Spanish! Look for \u003ci\u003eEstado de la Uni?n\u003c\/i\u003e by Kitty Felde, translated by Jorge Flores Gonz?lez. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA great series for CIVICS EDUCATION\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eTeachers, Librarians, and Homeschoolers, \u003c\/b\u003ethe 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eTHE WEST WING\u003c\/i\u003e meets NANCY DREW\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFREE DOWNLOADABLE CURRICULUM AVAILABLE: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBuild reading skills while teaching integrated lessons in: \u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e - ELA, social studies, and history designed for grades 3-5 Common Core Standards \u003cbr\u003e - NCSS curriculum standards, C3 Social Studies Readiness \u003cbr\u003e - California Public Schools' History-Social Science content standards. \u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePromote deeper learning through: \u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e - active engagement \u003cbr\u003e - reading comprehension \u003cbr\u003e - content knowledge \u003cbr\u003e - creative and analytical thinking \u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e Designed for use by elementary school teachers, parents, homeschoolers, scout leaders, and community educators. \u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eINTERACTIVE COMPONENTS AND MULTIMEDIA SOURCES: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Helps address students' diverse learning needs and supports the use of technology in the classroom. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e The Fina Mendoza Mysteries \u003cb\u003eFREE podcast \u003c\/b\u003eis based on the books and current events. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e The \u003cb\u003e\"Facts Behind the Fiction\"\u003c\/b\u003e blog and newsletter offer historical and civics context for both the books and podcast. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIntroduce civics to your students with The Fina Mendoza Mysteries series!\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eTHE FINA MENDOZA MYSTERIES SERIES: \u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Book 1 - \u003ci\u003eWelcome to Washington Fina Mendoza\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Book 2 - \u003ci\u003eState of the Union: A Fina Mendoza Mystery\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Book 3 - \u003ci\u003eSnake in the Grass\u003c\/i\u003e (coming Spring 2025) \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Novella - \u003ci\u003eLosing is Democratic: How to Talk to Kids About January 6th\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Podcast - \u003ci\u003eThe Fina Mendoza Mysteries\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eALSO AVAILABLE IN SPANISH: \u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Libro 1 - \u003ci\u003eBienvenida a Washington Fina Mendoza\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Libro 2 - \u003ci\u003eEstado de la Uni?n\u003c\/i\u003e: Un Misterio de Fina Mendoza \u003cbr\u003e Libro 3 - \u003ci\u003eSerpiente en la Hierba\u003c\/i\u003e (Oto?o 2025) \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFor fans of \u003ci\u003eThe Secret Lake\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eGreenglass House\u003c\/i\u003e, and \"The Mysterious Benedict Society\" and \"National Park Mystery Series\"\u003c\/b\u003e as well as classic books and detective series like \u003ci\u003eThe Westing Game\u003c\/i\u003e, Boxcar Children, Encyclopedia Brown, The Virginia Mysteries, and Hardy Boys. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAward-winning public radio journalist, writer, and TEDx speaker Kitty Felde hosts the \"Book Club for Kids\" podcast, named by The Times of London as one of the top 10 kidcasts in the world. The Los Angeles native created the Washington bureau for Southern California Public Radio and covered Capitol Hill for nearly a decade, explaining how government works to grownups. Now she explains it to kids in a series of mystery novels and podcasts called \"The Fina Mendoza Mysteries\". Kitty was named LA Radio Journalist of the Year three times by the LA Press Club and the Society of Professional Journalists.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Chesapeake Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50520646058258,"sku":"9781735976792","price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_1c1df683-46d2-444e-bd20-b7566cb4180e.jpg?v=1731087987","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/state-of-the-union-a-fina-mendoza-mystery-9781735976792","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}