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It's The West Wing meets Nancy Drew.

A mysterious bird poops on the head of the president during the State of the Union address. Can Fina Mendoza, the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, outsmart the Capitol police and the Secret Service to find that bird and uncover its secret message?

Fina is asked to investigate the appearance of Chickcharney, a mythical bird from the Caribbean that may have a message for Fina's client who works in the basement snack bar of the U.S. Capitol. The bird may or may not have a message for her client. Fina hopes it has a message for her from her recently departed mother. And maybe the bird has a message for Congress.

Fina is assisted by her trusty canine companion Senator Something, a big orange dog Fina walks for the dog's owner, a member of Congress.

This Capitol Hill mystery gives us a peek behind the scenes at the U.S. Capitol where there's a congressional battle over immigration reform, and a family battle when Fina's immigrant grandmother is nearly arrested at a Capitol Hill protest.

The Fina Mendoza Mysteries series is designed to introduce civics education to elementary students.

"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."  US Senator Barbara Boxer

"The second title in the new and outstanding Fina Mendoza Mystery series by author and storyteller Kitty Felde, 'State of the Union' is an impressively original, exceptionally well written, thoroughly entertaining, and unreservedly recommended read for children ages 7-12."  Midwest Book Review 

What They’re saying about State of the Union:

Kitty Felde’s State of the Union is a touching story of a girl in search of her place in the world following the loss of her mother. Like a lovely rainbow cake, the story is richly layered with mystery, friendship, and family conflict, and stars a colorful cast of characters. The story is told through the eyes of young Fina Mendoza, aka detective girl, and daughter of a California congressman. Readers will step into Fina’s shoes as she adapts to life in Washington, DC—they will walk through the Capitol’s hallowed halls and learn what our lawmakers do from their Capitol perch. Ultimately, they will cheer on Fina as she mends family wounds all the while on the hunt for a rare bird, hiding somewhere in the Capitol, that just might carry a message from her mother. State of the Union is a heartwarming read, a gem of a book.

• Ginger Park, author of The Hundred Choices Department Store

“State of the Union has it all -- a protagonist you will cheer for, warmth and humor, and a good mystery story underpinning it all. Readers will get an inside look at how their government works -- Felde handles this beautifully, weaving her expertise in seamlessly -- and so much more.”

• Jan Burke, author of the Irene Kelly mysteries

Most photos by Frank Schaefer

Praise for 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, former Chair Rules Committee

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

Readers like me, old and young, will love learning about the customs and eccentricities in the halls of power that are interwoven into a moving comedy/drama of two sisters adjusting to the loss of their mother, of a congressman coping as a single parent, and of an abuelita protecting her grandchildren. And they’ll laugh out loud at the antics of the goofy orange dog, Senator Something. 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. Great read. I could not put the book down.                                        – U.S. Congresswoman Grace Napolitano

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”

When I heard that there was to be a new book about the famous Demon Cat in the Capitol, I wondered what else could be said about this little legend – hasn’t everything of interest been wrung out of that silly story? But 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