Welcome to Facts Behind the Fiction

We like to think of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries books and podcast as a sneaky way to introduce civics to kids. But in an era of “fake news,” how do you know what’s true and what’s just a story? These short essays are designed to pick out the facts in each podcast episode.

Facts Behind the Fiction

August 01, 2023 by Marie Daley in civics, government, curriculum, kids and family

The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are fiction, but there are LOTS of facts about Congress, the US Capitol, and civics in general packed in every chapter and every episode.

Read here for some of the FACTS BEHIND THE FICTION that you can use in your classroom.

We also offer a free Teacher’s Guide to the books “Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza” and “State of the Union.” Just subscribe to our Facts Behind the Fiction newsletter.

subscribe to the facts behind the fiction newsletter and get your free copy of the teacher's guide

CONGRESS/U.S. CAPITOL

The Capitol Crypt: The Scariest Room in the Capitol

Visit the Crypt in the U.S. Capitol: The National Mall Table

Which is More Powerful, the Senate or the House of Representatives: King of the Hill: Senate or House of Representatives?

In the House of Representatives: What’s a Whip

Congressional Committees: The House Ethics Committee

What Does Congress Do: Constituent Services

The State of the Union and: The Rebuttal Speech

Immigration Legislation: Gang of Eight

Immigration: Congress and Immigration Reform

The House of Representatives: The House Chaplain

Protests: Is it Legal for Families of Congress to Protest?

Congress: Who’s the Boss of Congress?

Congress: Congressional Work Week

Congress: Congressional Subpoenas

Capitol Hill: The Rayburn Garage

Congress: Is Everything Partisan in Congress?

Congress: Thanksgiving Recess

Congress: Quitting Congress

Sports: The Congressional Baseball Game

Art Contest: High School Art in the U.S. Capitol

THE PRESIDENT

Immigration: Ronald Reagan and Immigration Reform

The President: The State of the Union Address

Federal Holidays: Presidents’ Day

The President: Arresting Presidents

Presidential Hazards: Poop on the President

POLITICS

Voting: Poll Workers

Political Campaigns: Political Yard Signs

Political Campaign Finance: Fina and Campaign Finance

Political Campaigns: Campaign Fundraisers

Washington Protests: Protesting 101: a Short History of Protests Outside the U.S. Capitol

Voting: Let Kids Vote!

Political Life: I’ll Never Run for Political Office

THIS AND THAT

Superstitions: Lucky Charms

Myths: Chickcharney: the Bird with the Lizard Tail

Birds of Capitol Hill: Eagles Everywhere

Myths: Bird Myths

Journalism: News Cycle

Religion and Politics: The Catholic Church in Washington, D.C.

Washington, DC: Battle of the DC Christmas Trees

Latino Traditions: Dia de los Muertos