The Fina Mendoza Mysteries Kitty Felde

A mysterious break-in, a congressional lobbying effort about voting, and a sneaky way to get kids excited about the upcoming election...without the nastiness of politics.

In this special bonus episode of THE FINA MENDOZA MYSTERIES, our young detective is attending classes via Zoom. She and her classmates take on a genius project, researching a recent amendment that would allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote. She and her classmates ask, "Why stop at 16? Why not let them vote?"

They put the question to real-life Congressman Mark Takano (D-California) who approves of lowering the voting age to 16.

Meanwhile, Fina has another mystery to solve: who keeps breaking into their vacant classroom and trashing it? She checks in with her detecting partner, a canine called Senator Something, and visits the scene of the crime.

There is free curriculum for this episode.

The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysteries in the U.S. Capitol.
Fina decides to take the case of the mysterious Chickcharney... maybe it has a secret message for her!
In Episode 3, Papa proposes an idea for a fundraiser for his re-election campaign. “It takes a lot of money to run for Congress,” he says. 
How much does it cost to run for Congress?
Click HERE to read more about the House Chaplain in our Facts Behind the Fiction blog.
Season 2 of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the book State of the Union, by Kitty Felde, published by Chesapeake Press. You can get an autographed copy of State of the Union, at the website Chesapeakepress.org. That’s also where you can find out more about the cast and crew of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries and a free download of the 56-page Teacher’s Guide to the book and the podcast just by signing up for our newsletter. Every week, that newsletter includes the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries.
Our cast includes: 
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Tamika Katon-Donegal - Monica
Steven Cuevas - Papa
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Steve DeVorkin - Senator Something.
Andrea Felix-Cervantes is our stage manager. Our music is written and performed by Andrew Barkan, and our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa.

The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysteries in the U.S. Capitol.
A mysterious bird poops on the president's head during the State of the Union address and Fina and her grandmother are up in the House Gallery, watching when it happens. Papa gives the State of the Union rebuttal speech about immigration reform. The House Minority Leader gives a party. Kitty Felde is writer producer.
In Episode 4, after the President delivers his State of the Union speech to Congress, Papa delivers the rebuttal in Spanish.
What is the rebuttal speech?
Click HERE to read more about the evolution of the State of the Union rebuttal speech in our Facts Behind the Fiction blog.
Season 2 of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the book State of the Union, by Kitty Felde, published by Chesapeake Press. You can get an autographed copy of State of the Union, at the website Chesapeakepress.org. That’s also where you can find out more about the cast and crew of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries and a free download of the 56-page Teacher’s Guide to the book and the podcast just by signing up for our newsletter. Every week, that newsletter includes the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries.
Cast:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Christine Avila - Abuelita
Steven Cuevas - Papa
Linda Graves - Claudia
Mark Bramhall - President of the United States
Rosalie Huntington - Minority Leader
Ian Kunithia -Michael
Wenzel Jones - Waiter
DeeDee Chapelle - Stage Manager
Music in the party scene composed and perfomed by Kevin Pike.
Andrea Felix-Cervantes is our stage manager. Our theme music is written and performed by Andrew Barkan, and our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa.

The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysteries in the U.S. Capitol.
All of Washington is on the hunt for the bird that pooped on the President - including Fina Mendoza. Social media is having a field day. There's even a hashtag: PoopOnPOTUS. 
In episode 5 of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast, everyone assumes the bird that pooped on the President is an eagle. Fina’s 4th grade class is even assigned a homework project: find all the eagles in Washington, DC.
Where are all the eagles in Washington?
Click HERE to read more about the eagles in the U.S. Capitol in our Facts Behind the Fiction blog.
Season 2 of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the book State of the Union, by Kitty Felde, published by Chesapeake Press. You can get an autographed copy of State of the Union, at the website Chesapeakepress.org. That’s also where you can find out more about the cast and crew of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries and a free download of the 56-page Teacher’s Guide to the book and the podcast just by signing up for our newsletter. Every week, that newsletter includes the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries.
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Steven Cuevas - Congressman Mendoza
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Christine Avila - Abuelita
Tamika Katon-Donegal - Monica
Linda Graves - Claudia
Ken Rudin and Garrett Brown - the political pundits
Kevin Carr - Eagle Burger commercial announcer
Susan Valot Ms. Greenwood
Ian Kunithia - Michael
India Scalione - Becka
Mica Scalione - Margaret
Leo Schodorf - Mason
Isla Schodorf - Cara
Elizabeth Logun - Chickcharney
Gordon Brooks - the policeman on the walkie talkie
Steve DeVorkin - Senator Something
Andrea Felix-Cervantes is our stage manager. Our theme music is written and performed by Andrew Barkan, and our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa.

The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysteries in the U.S. Capitol.
Fina is still on the hunt for the bird that pooped on the President.
Fina's father was just named to a bipartisan group of lawmakers to come up with an immigration bill. Unfortunately, Senator Something wasn't invited, but he manages to disrupt the press conference announcing the group. Meanwhile, Fina's older sister Gabby is fighting with their grandmother over a dance and a dress code.
What's the latest on immigration reform in Congress?
Click HERE to read more about the House Chaplain in our Facts Behind the Fiction blog.
Season 2 of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the book State of the Union, by Kitty Felde, published by Chesapeake Press. You can get an autographed copy of State of the Union, at the website Chesapeakepress.org. That’s also where you can find out more about the cast and crew of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries and a free download of the 56-page Teacher’s Guide to the book and the podcast just by signing up for our newsletter. Every week, that newsletter includes the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries.
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Steven Cuevas - Congressman Mendoza
Christine Avila - Abuelita
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Ellie Song - Congresswoman Woo
Claudia Peschiutta - Vicki
Linda Graves - Claudia
Steve DeVorkin - Senator Something.
Andrea Felix-Cervantes is our stage manager. Our theme music is written and performed by Andrew Barkan, and our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa.
 

The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysteries in the U.S. Capitol.
Fina continues her investigation into finding the bird that pooped on the President. And she gets a new client: the dog that belongs to the House Chaplain. Meanwhile, Washington DC and the Mendoza family prepare for a blizzard.
In Episode 7, Fina’s sister Gabby suggests that she do some bird research at the website of the Audubon Society. Fina stumbles upon an article that says if a bird poops on your head, it's supposed to be good luck.
What are some common bird myths?
Click HERE to read more about bird myths in our Facts Behind the Fiction blog.
Season 2 of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the book State of the Union, by Kitty Felde, published by Chesapeake Press. You can get an autographed copy of State of the Union, at the website Chesapeakepress.org. That’s also where you can find out more about the cast and crew of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries and a free download of the 56-page Teacher’s Guide to the book and the podcast just by signing up for our newsletter. Every week, that newsletter includes the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries.
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Steven Cuevas - Congressman Mendoza
Christine Avila - Abuelita
Elizabeth Logun - St. Sebastian
Alexandra Bank - Mary Louise Guffey
Tad Daley - the anchor
Bill Case - Memphis the weatherman
Steve DeVorkin - Fr. Andrew and Senator Something
Andrea Felix-Cervantes is our stage manager. Our theme music is written and performed by Andrew Barkan, and our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa. Special thanks to musician Anny Celci for sharing Little Black Dress with us and Kevin Pike for sharing his  news theme composition.