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Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza

What Educators say about Fina Mendoza:

At a time when civics education is more important than ever comes along Kitty Felde’s Fina Mendoza Mysteries series. It is a delight following Fina on her Capitol Hill adventures.  

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 Podcast that accompanies the book for more fun.   - Joe Rodriguez 4th grade teacher in Los Angeles.  

Kitty Felde has found a great way to use all parts of the narrative to teach students about civics, history, culture, mythology and math. I live and work in Washington, DC and have never heard of the Demon Cat myth. There are so many other pieces of information that she sneaks in that made me want to learn more and gave me ideas for how this book could be taught in a book club or classroom setting.

The teacher's guide for Fina Mendoza has a wealth of resources and connections you have made for educators to use when using the book for class.

Personally, I also found the connection to Fina's detective work directly related to the research process! I especially love how she looks at the bibliography from the back of the book the librarian gives her to find more resources. Then she learns how to look up old newspaper articles and eventually speaks to an expert (The Capitol Historian!) '

This is wonderful modeling for a research project. It inspired me to look into ways where students could consult with the Capitol Historian, archivist, or an expert at the Library of Congress as part of their research!

Thanks for the great book and educational resources to use with it! - Steve Reichlen, Librarian, Tyler Elementary School Washington DC

As a former elementary school teacher, I would certainly have had this book and the rest in the series in my classroom. There are lessons to be learned not only of history and government, but also of dealing with difficulty and conflict but also the changes and growth we must go through when things in life don't always go as we want them to go. Growing up is hard but Fina is handling it well.

Julie Mersiowsky, Educator, NetGalley

A fun book for kids. There is mystery, some heartache, family conflict, as well as learning about Capitol Hill. - Becky Rose, Educator, NetGalley

Fina Mendoza has recently moved to Washington, DC with her Congressman father. She and her older sister had been living at home in Los Angeles while their father commuted back and forth, but since their mother passed that is no longer an option. After school each day, Fina explores the Capitol building waiting for her father to finish work. When she has a strange encounter with what she is told is the Demon Cat of Capitol Hill, Fina is worried that it will bring bad luck to her and her family. And it certainly seems to! Her abuela breaks her leg, her sister's clothes are eaten by moths, and more! As Fina sets out to discover the true story about the Demon Cat, she also makes new friends and shares fun facts about the workings of Congress with the readers. This book has a little bit of everything and is a great start to a new series! Recommended for grades 3 & up. - Yapha Mason, Librarian, NetGalley

9 out of 10!

Plot/Idea: In this delightful, age-appropriate tale of overcoming challenges, the mystery of a demon cat and a wholly charming young protagonist will pull readers in.

Prose: The prose is clear and smooth; the author has a knack for catchy descriptions and captures Fina's experiences in a relatable way.

Originality: The subtle layering of family traditions, growing pains, loss, and mystery -- set in the heart of DC -- makes for a fun, absorbing, and original story.

Character/Execution: Portrayed in a way that will be relatable to young readers, Felde lets readers into Fina's mind and shows her fears, challenges, and growth in a compelling manner. The book is filled with other characters who light up the story and make it come to life.

Blurb: As if losing her mother and having to move across the country weren't bad enough, things get worse for Fina Mendoza when she has a mysterious encounter in the Capitol Crypt of the US Capitol building. Was it really the famed Demon Cat of Capitol Hill? Young readers will enjoy solving the mystery along with Fina in Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza.

What Kids say:

What writers say:

Fina Mendoza is the kind of friend you want whether you walk on two legs or four, and Welcome to Washington, Fina Mendoza is the kind of book you’ll love to read! - Leah Henderson, author of “One Shadow on the Wall”

With an engaging combination of mystery and history, Fina Mendoza takes readers on an insider’s tour of Capitol Hill while warding off the curse of the Demon Cat. You'll never look at DC the same way again.                                           - Wendy Wan-Long Shang, author of “The Great Wall of Lucy Wu”

I devoured “Welcome to Washington, Fina Mendoza” like a bag of potato chips. Funny, spooky, moving and simply delightful, Kitty Felde has nailed it in her debut novel.  A mystery lies at the center of this book, but the true heart of the story is it’s heroine, Fina. She’s the kind of kid you want to be friends with—perfectly imperfect, occasionally adventurous and always fun. Felde’s insider look at D.C. through the eyes of Fina was a fascinating bonus.                        - Sherri L. Smith, author of “Flygirl”

Kitty Felde’s book, Welcome to Washington, Fina Mendoza, turned out to be a delightful perspective on the familiar, turning a cross-cultural, bi-coastal mixture into a tasty bit of fluff as a children’s book. - Steve Livengood, Chief Guide, U.S. Capitol Historical Society

What DC says about Fina Mendoza:

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.

- U.S. Congressman David Dreier

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 Sanchez

This patriotic and nonpartisan whodunit is both timely and welcome! - Gail Carson Levine, author of "Ella Enchanted"

This heartwarming story about life's obstacles, taking responsibility for your actions, and overcoming fears also serves as a tender reminder to children and adults alike, that even when parents seem busy, they are always paying attention.
- U.S. Congressman David G. Valadao

Embracing true Mexican traditions and family values, she captures a child's imagination from the viewpoint of Washington's multi-faceted world while providing insight into Los Angeles' culture.
U.S. Congresswoman Grace Napolitano

What Readers say:

It had everything that I was looking for in a mystery novel.

- Kathryn McLeer, NetGalley

An incredible teaching tool that never feels instructive…This young people's novel deals with family, teen angst, loss and grief, loneliness, cultural values, civics, and taking responsibility for one's actions, all secreted in an engaging mystery! Kitty Felde has written an impressive work. - Betsy Baker, NetGalley

I really loved the characters in this book and the way the mystery was so natural and just intertwined into real life. I loved trying to piece it together myself as I read it. It was a really great book.

Fina was such an amazing protagonist, you really felt so much for her and were rooting for her to find a way to fit in into her new life.

I do recommend this book it’s a really fun mystery, with great characters, you get some educational lessons about congress and history. It had lots of heart and emotion and is a really easy and great read. - Joey-Susan Luke, NetGalley

In addition to giving the reader a good picture of this young, precocious, sensitive girl, the reader can learn a lot about the government as well as about life as an elected official. I thoroughly enjoyed reading all the ins and outs, the myriad of clues and research Fina went through in her search for the demon cat. I also enjoyed watching Fina grow during her months long journey. I think this is a great book for young people, though, as I said, it can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. - Kathy Talley, NetGalley

Legends say that if you see the demon cat you will be cursed with bad luck. Since see the demon cat things have been happening. She decides to see if the demon cat was real or not. What she finds is quite surprising.

This was a fun story to read. It had action, adventure, suspense and drama throughout. It had a few laughs throughout. There was a bit of a mystery within. It was fun trying to solve it. - Sandy Mill, NetGalley

I adored this book, I’m not from the US and I now know a lot more about how Congress works and some aspects of the history of Washington DC. The information is snuck in gracefully and I suspect a middle grader wouldn't notice they were learning at the same time!
Jenny Blacker/NetGalley