The Fina Mendoza Mysteries: Recent Episodes
Kitty Felde
It's "The West Wing" meets "Nancy Drew" - a podcast for little girls and political junkies.
Legend says whoever sees the Demon Cat of Capitol Hill is cursed. Fina Mendoza, the 10-year old daughter of a congressman, just saw it. Can she save her family from “cat”astrophe?
These are the Fina Mendoza Mysteries.
www.finamendozamysteries.com
Today is the release date for Serpiente en el Césped, the Spanish version of Snake in the Grass, book 3 in The Fina Mendoza Mysteries! That means all three books in the series are now available in both Spanish and English with a free downloadable teacher's guide.
We also want to introduce you to the latest podcast from writer and producer Kitty Felde: Honeymoon Road: Pete & Me & our Model T, a road trip podcast. Kitty's grandparents got married 100 years ago and took their honeymoon on a cross country adventure in a classic car. Kitty and cousin Marie Felde retrace their grandparents' steps, using their grandmother's letters as their roadmap.
Give a listen to Episode 1!
www.honeymoonroad.com
It's the fourth anniversary of an attack on the US Capitol by angry voters. Some are trying to downplay the event. This is a story told from the point of view of the 10-year-old daughter of a member of Congress who was on the House Floor that day. It's designed to help adults talk to children about January 6th.
It's based on the Fina Mendoza Mysteries novella "Losing is Democratic" by Kitty Felde, available as an ebook or paperback. You can purchase an autographed copy here.
It's the fourth anniversary of an attack on the US Capitol by angry voters. Some are trying to downplay the event. This is a story told from the point of view of the 10-year-old daughter of a member of Congress who was on the House Floor that day. It's designed to help adults talk to children about January 6th.
It's based on the Fina Mendoza Mysteries novella "Losing is Democratic" by Kitty Felde, available as an ebook or paperback. You can purchase an autographed copy here.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysteries in the U.S. Capitol...and teaching civics along the way.
Join the Mendoza family as they celebrate not only Halloween, but also Dia de los Muertos.
Here's a link to the FREE curriculum for this episode.
You'll find more eductional materials on our Facts Behind the Fiction blog at the website.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are based on the novels WELCOME TO WASHINGTON FINA MENDOZA and STATE OF THE UNION, written by Kitty Felde.
On Thursday night, March 7th, members of Congress from the House and Senate will hear a speech from President Biden about the State of the Union. Our Founding Fathers thought the annual speech to Congress was so important, they put it in the Constitution.
But what IS the State of the Union address? And what's it like to be inside the U.S. Capitol, sitting in the House Gallery, above the lawmakers and Supreme Court Justices and the cabinet?
In this special bonus episode of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries, we take you to the State of the Union address where a mysterious bird disrupts the speech.
Want to know more about the history of the State of the Union address? Sign up for our Facts Behind the Fiction newsletter. That newsletter explores the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries.We'll even send you a link to a FREE copy of the 56-page Teacher's Guide to State of the Union.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysteries in the U.S. Capitol.
Kitty Felde is writer producer.
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 here.
You can find out more about the cast and crew of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries at the website ChesapeakePress.org.
Cast:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Christine Avila - Abuelita
Steven Cuevas - Papa
Linda Graves - Claudia
Mark Bramhall - President of the United States
Ian Muchiri - Michael
DeeDee Chapell - stage manager at the rebuttal speech
Rosalie Huntington - Minority Leader
Wenzel Jones - Waiter
Music in the party is composed and performed 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.
State of the Union is book two in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries series. The Spanish version Estado de la Union will be released by Chesapeake Press this summer. The podcast and the books are designed to introduce civics education to elementary school students.
You can get an autographed copy of any of the Fina Mendoza books by clicking the link in the shownotes or check out the Chesapeake Press website chesapeakepress.org. that’s where you can also sign up for our Facts Behind the Fiction newsletter. This week, it’s more information about the rebuttal speech. And when you sign up for the newsletter, you’ll also get a free download of the 56 page Teachers Guide to State of the Union.
I hope you’ll tune in to Wednesday’s SOtU speech and the rebuttals. You never know when a bird might just poop on somebody’s head.
January 6th is the three year anniversary of the attack on the U.S. Capitol. More than a thousand people have been arrested, trials continue around the country, and the events of that day still echo during the upcoming election season.
So how do we talk to kids about January 6th? Let Fina help.
MY NAME IS FINA MENDOZA. My Papa works in the U.S. Capitol. He’s a congressman. Me? I solve mysteries. I had a new case: trying to find out who stole the class pizza.
But everything changed on January 6th.
While Papa was voting to certify the presidential election, a bunch of angry people broke into the Capitol. They believed that someone had stolen the election. They were really, really mad. I was really, really scared. My Papa was in that building. So were the parents of a lot of my classmates. Would the angry people hurt them? Why did this happen? Would it happen again?
We talked about it in class, about how angry John Adams was when he lost the election to Thomas Jefferson and what happened next. We learned how important losing is in baseball and class competitions and elections. And how to be a gracious winner and never a sore loser.
Oh, and I did solve the mystery of the missing pizza.
FREE curriculum for this episode available HERE.
A paperback version of this episode is available as a novella HERE.
“Our democracy is still very much in danger, and if elections are only considered valid if your side wins, our future is indeed dim. Kitty Felde helps us convey to children that our democracy depends on all sides of an election putting their allegiance to country above party, and her book helps open the door to a discussion about the perilous events on January 6th, how to find common ground, rebuild trust, and reach across the aisle, er, playground.”
— Congressman Adam Schiff
January 6th is the three year anniversary of the attack on the U.S. Capitol. More than a thousand people have been arrested, trials continue around the country, and the events of that day still echo during the upcoming election season.
So how do we talk to kids about January 6th? Let Fina help.
MY NAME IS FINA MENDOZA. My Papa works in the U.S. Capitol. He’s a congressman. Me? I solve mysteries. I had a new case: trying to find out who stole the class pizza.
But everything changed on January 6th.
While Papa was voting to certify the presidential election, a bunch of angry people broke into the Capitol. They believed that someone had stolen the election. They were really, really mad. I was really, really scared. My Papa was in that building. So were the parents of a lot of my classmates. Would the angry people hurt them? Why did this happen? Would it happen again?
We talked about it in class, about how angry John Adams was when he lost the election to Thomas Jefferson and what happened next. We learned how important losing is in baseball and class competitions and elections. And how to be a gracious winner and never a sore loser.
Oh, and I did solve the mystery of the missing pizza.
FREE curriculum for this episode available HERE.
A paperback version of this episode is available as a novella HERE.
“Our democracy is still very much in danger, and if elections are only considered valid if your side wins, our future is indeed dim. Kitty Felde helps us convey to children that our democracy depends on all sides of an election putting their allegiance to country above party, and her book helps open the door to a discussion about the perilous events on January 6th, how to find common ground, rebuild trust, and reach across the aisle, er, playground.”
— Congressman Adam Schiff
Fina ties up loose ends in the case of the mystery of the Demon Cat of Capitol Hill and experiences her first Christmas in Washington, DC.
Writer/Producer - Kitty Felde
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Raul Garza - Papa
Laura Stegman - Congresswoman Mitchell
Imelda Hinojosa - Tia Catalina
Steve Gamber - John the Staffer
Linda Graves - Claudia
Paul Cummings - Carl Jefferson
Wenzel Jones - Statue of Caesar Rodney
Elizabeth Logun - DC the Cat
Terry Marks Tarlow - Mistress of Ceremonies
Steve DeVorkin - Speaker of the House and Senator Something
One more thank you to one of our carolers Melanie Newkirk. Melanie passed away shortly after we taped this scene and we wanted to dedicate this episode to her.
Associate Producer - Hannah Matzecki
Associate Sound Designer - Hunter Felde
Music Composed and Performed - Andrew Barkan
Logo Designer - Imelda Hinojosa
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the award-winning book series. You can purchase an autographed copy of Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza or the Spanish language version Bienvenida a Washington Fina Mendoza from our friends at Village Well Books & Coffee by clicking HERE.
You can find out more at the website chesapeakepress.org.
Sign up for our FREE Facts Behind the Fiction blog with real information about the facts in the story HERE.
The Mendoza family heads to Los Angeles to celebrate Thanksgiving. Fina worries that the curse of the Demon Cat will follow them to California.
Writer/Producer - Kitty Felde
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Raul Garza - Papa
Christine Avila - Abuelita
Imelda Hinojosa - Tia Catalina
Rachel Desztich - Tia Margarita
Brian Bland - Veteran
Steve DeVorkin - Senator Something
Associate Producer - Hannah Matzecki
Associate Sound Designer - Hunter Felde
Music Composed and Performed - Andrew Barkan
Logo Designer - Imelda Hinojosa
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the award-winning book series. You can purchase an autographed copy of Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza or the Spanish language version Bienvenida a Washington Fina Mendoza from our friends at Village Well Books & Coffee by clicking HERE.
You can find out more at the website chesapeakepress.org.
Sign up for our FREE Facts Behind the Fiction blog with real information about the facts in the story HERE.
Fina continues to investigate the history of cats in the U.S. Capitol. Papa returns to Washington for a family meal. But then catastrophe strikes. Can the Demon Cat be to blame?
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is written and produced by Kitty Felde
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Raul Garza - Papa
Mat Kaplan - House Historian
Steve Gamber - John the Staffer
Brian Bland - Capitol Tour Guide
Rosalie Fox - Veterinarian
Steve DeVorkin - Senator Something
Our tour kids are Michael Beemer, India Scaglione, and Myca Scaglione
Associate Producer - Hannah Matzecki
Associate Sound Designer - Hunter Felde
Music Composed and Performed - Andrew Barkan
Logo Designer - Imelda Hinojosa
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the award-winning book series. You can purchase an autographed copy of Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza or the Spanish language version Bienvenida a Washington Fina Mendoza from our friends at Village Well Books & Coffee by clicking HERE.
You can find out more at the website chesapeakepress.org.
Sign up for our FREE Facts Behind the Fiction blog with real information about the facts in the story HERE.
Fina and Gabby join Claudia at the National Zoo where Fina gathers clues. The Mendoza sisters also celebrate Dia de los Muertos - the Day of the Dead. And Fina comes up with a plan.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is written and produced by Kitty Felde
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano as Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil as Gabby
Linda Graves as Claudia
Christine Avila as Abuelita
And Steve DeVorkin as Senator Something
Associate Producer - Hannah Matzecki
Associate Sound Designer - Hunter Felde
Music Composed and Performed - Andrew Barkan
Logo Designer - Imelda Hinojosa
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the award-winning book series. You can purchase an autographed copy of Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza or the Spanish language version Bienvenida a Washington Fina Mendoza from our friends at Village Well Books & Coffee by clicking HERE.
You can find out more at the website chesapeakepress.org.
It's the return of Fina Mendoza!
To celebrate the re-release of the book that inspired the podcast: Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza (Chesapeake Press) in English AND Spanish, listen to how it all began. Here's a hint of what's to come.
And as a special thank you to listeners of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast, Chesapeake Press is offering a 20% discount on the paperback. Just go to IPGBook.com and enter the promo code Fina2023 at checkout. Here's the link.
It's the return of Fina Mendoza!
To celebrate the re-release of the book that inspired the podcast: Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza (Chesapeake Press) in English AND Spanish, listen to how it all began. Here's a hint of what's to come.
And as a special thank you to listeners of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast, Chesapeake Press is offering a 20% discount on the paperback. Just go to IPGBook.com and enter the promo code Fina2023 at checkout. Here's the link.
It's the return of Fina Mendoza!
To celebrate the re-release of the book that inspired the podcast: Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza (Chesapeake Press) in English AND Spanish, listen to how it all began. Here's a hint of what's to come.
And as a special thank you to listeners of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast, Chesapeake Press is offering a 20% discount on the paperback. Just go to IPGBook.com and enter the promo code Fina2023 at checkout. Here's the link.
It's the return of Fina Mendoza!
To celebrate the re-release of the book that inspired the podcast: Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza (Chesapeake Press) in English AND Spanish, listen to how it all began. Here's a hint of what's to come.
And as a special thank you to listeners of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast, Chesapeake Press is offering a 20% discount on the paperback. Just go to IPGBook.com and enter the promo code Fina2023 at checkout. Here's the link.
It's the return of Fina Mendoza!
To celebrate the re-release of the book that inspired the podcast: Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza (Chesapeake Press) in English AND Spanish, listen to how it all began. Here's a hint of what's to come.
And as a special thank you to listeners of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast, Chesapeake Press is offering a 20% discount on the paperback. Just go to IPGBook.com and enter the promo code Fina2023 at checkout. Here's the link.
On Tuesday night, February 7th, members of Congress from the House and Senate will hear a speech from President Biden about the State of the Union. Our Founding Fathers thought the annual speech to Congress was so important, they put it in the Constitution.
But what IS the State of the Union address? And what's it like to be inside the U.S. Capitol, sitting in the House Gallery, above the lawmakers and Supreme Court Justices and the cabinet?
In this special bonus episode of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries, we take you to the State of the Union address where a mysterious bird disrupts the speech.
Want to know more about the history of the State of the Union address? Or the rebuttal speech? Check out our Facts Behind the Fiction blog.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysteries in the U.S. Capitol.
Kitty Felde is writer producer.
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
How do you explain the events of January 6th to children?
This special Fina Mendoza Mysteries episode is designed to help parents and teachers talk to young people about the attack on the U.S. Capitol two years ago and what larger lessons can be learned.
FREE curriculum for this episode can be downloaded here.
There is a NEW e-book version of Losing is Democratic available for 99 cents on Amazon.
The episode takes place on January 6th, 2021, in a zoom classroom, meeting remotely because of the pandemic. Our 10-year-old detective Fina Mendoza, the daughter of a congressman, has a new mystery to solve: who stole the 5th grade's pizza, a prize for the winner of a reading competition with the 4th grade?
Fina and her classmates have parents who work in the U.S. Capitol and they learn of the attack during class. Their teacher, Miss Greenwood, helps them understand the events in a larger context. They discuss the electoral process, George Washington's decision not to run for a third term, traditional post-game high fives in baseball, and how John Adams and Thomas Jefferson found a way to reconciliation after a particularly nasty election.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are based on a series of novels by Kitty Felde, including Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza and State of the Union, published by Chesapeake Press and can be ordered at your local library, Amazon, or your favorite indie bookstore.
KItty Felde covered Capitol Hill for public radio for nearly a decade. She used to explain how Congress works to grownups. Now, she explains it to children.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysterious animals in the U.S. Capitol.
It's Christmas in Washington, a time to remember family traditions and Capitol Hill traditions.
Find out more about the cast at the website.
Find out the facts behind the fiction in The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast.
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.
Want the Facts Behind the Fiction in The Fina Mendoza Mysteries? Sign up for our free newsletter. This month, it's the facts behind the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.
We celebrate Thanksgiving with Fina and the Mendoza family as they leave Washington to visit relatives in Los Angeles. Fina worries that the curse of the Demon Cat will follow them to California.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysterious animals in the U.S. Capitol.
Writer/Producer - Kitty Felde
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Raul Garza - Papa
Christine Avila - Abuelita
Imelda Hinojosa - Tia Catalina
Rachel Desztich - Tia Margarita
Brian Bland - Veteran
Steve DeVorkin - Senator Something
Associate Producer - Hannah Matzecki
Associate Sound Designer - Hunter Felde
Music Composed and Performed - Andrew Barkan
Logo Designer - Imelda Hinojosa
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the award-winning book series. The latest title State of the Union, published by Chesapeake Press is available wherever great books are sold.
You can find out more at our website finamendozamysteries.com.
Find out in The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast.
Want to know the facts behind the fiction in The Fina Mendoza Mysteries? Sign up for our newsletter.
Looking for your next great read? Students at Malxolm X Elementary School in Washington, DC have some suggestions for books that will inspire you or scare you or make you laugh. Kitty Felde is host.
And if you’d like to talk to your kids about the upcoming elections, check out our other podcast THE FINA MENDOZA MYSTERIES and listen to our LET KIDS VOTE episodes. Fina and her classmates put Congressman Mark Takano from California in the hot seat as the try to persuade him to sponsor a bill that would lower the voting age to 10. There’s free curriculum to go with the episode as well with links in the show notes. That’s the Fina Mendoza Mysteries wherever you listen to podcasts. I’m KF, thanks for listening.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysterious animals in the U.S. Capitol.
Join the Mendoza family as they celebrate not only Halloween, but also Dia de los Muertos.
Here's a link to curriculum for the episode.
You'll find more eductional materials on our Facts Behind the Fiction blog at the website.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are written and produced by Kitty Felde.
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil - Monica
Christine Avila - Abuelita
Hannah Matzecki is our associate producer. Our music is by composer and musician Andrew Barkan. Our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are based on the books State of the Union and Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza by Kitty Felde.
Don't forget to rate and review!
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysterious animals in the U.S. Capitol.
It’s a new school year for Fina Mendoza, another year of distance learning. Her teacher assigns a Genius Project, letting students pick the topic they’d like to research and present to the class. Since it's an election year and Fina’s congressman father is back in California campaigning for re-election, Fina decides to research voting. Specifically, letting kids younger than 18 cast a ballot.
Real-life Congressman Mark Takano of Riverside, California zooms with the class to answer questions about youth voting.
There is also a mystery to be solved: who broke into their classroom, ransacking the backpacks and rifling the teacher’s desk. Fina consults with her detecting partner, a giant orange dog named Senator Something, and talks her sister into accompanying her on a field trip to see if her hunch about the culprit is correct.
There is FREE curriculum for this episode. And if you want to know the history of lowering the voting age, check out our Facts Behind the Fiction blog.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are written and produced by Kitty Felde
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano as Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil as Gabby
Susan Valot appears as Ms. Greenwood
India Scalione plays Becka
Eddie Pike plays Michael and
Myka Scalione plays Margaret
Laura Stegman appears as Congresswoman Mitchell
And Steve DeVorkin is Senator Something
Hannah Matzecki is our associate producer. Our music is by composer and musician Andrew Barkan. Our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are based on the books State of the Union and Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza by Kitty Felde.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysterious animals in the U.S. Capitol.
It’s a new school year for Fina Mendoza, another year of distance learning. Her teacher assigns a Genius Project, letting students pick the topic they’d like to research and present to the class. Since it's an election year and Fina’s congressman father is back in California campaigning for re-election, Fina decides to research voting. Specifically, letting kids younger than 18 cast a ballot.
Real-life Congressman Mark Takano of Riverside, California zooms with the class to answer questions about youth voting.
There is also a mystery to be solved: who broke into their classroom, ransacking the backpacks and rifling the teacher’s desk. Fina consults with her detecting partner, a giant orange dog named Senator Something, and talks her sister into accompanying her on a field trip to see if her hunch about the culprit is correct.
There is FREE curriculum for this episode. And if you want to know the history of lowering the voting age, check out our Facts Behind the Fiction blog.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are written and produced by Kitty Felde
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano as Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil as Gabby
Susan Valot appears as Ms. Greenwood
India Scalione plays Becka
Eddie Pike plays Michael and
Myka Scalione plays Margaret
Laura Stegman appears as Congresswoman Mitchell
And Steve DeVorkin is Senator Something
Hannah Matzecki is our associate producer. Our music is by composer and musician Andrew Barkan. Our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are based on the books State of the Union and Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza by Kitty Felde.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysterious animals in the U.S. Capitol.
It’s a new school year for Fina Mendoza, another year of distance learning. Her teacher assigns a Genius Project, letting students pick the topic they’d like to research and present to the class. Since it's an election year and Fina’s congressman father is back in California campaigning for re-election, Fina decides to research voting. Specifically, letting kids younger than 18 cast a ballot.
Real-life Congressman Mark Takano of Riverside, California zooms with the class to answer questions about youth voting.
There is also a mystery to be solved: who broke into their classroom, ransacking the backpacks and rifling the teacher’s desk. Fina consults with her detecting partner, a giant orange dog named Senator Something, and talks her sister into accompanying her on a field trip to see if her hunch about the culprit is correct.
There is FREE curriculum for this episode. And if you want to know the history of lowering the voting age, check out our Facts Behind the Fiction blog.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are written and produced by Kitty Felde
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano as Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil as Gabby
Susan Valot appears as Ms. Greenwood
India Scalione plays Becka
Eddie Pike plays Michael and
Myka Scalione plays Margaret
Laura Stegman appears as Congresswoman Mitchell
And Steve DeVorkin is Senator Something
Hannah Matzecki is our associate producer. Our music is by composer and musician Andrew Barkan. Our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are based on the books State of the Union and Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza by Kitty Felde.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysterious animals in the U.S. Capitol.
It’s a new school year for Fina Mendoza, another year of distance learning. Her teacher assigns a Genius Project, letting students pick the topic they’d like to research and present to the class. Since it's an election year and Fina’s congressman father is back in California campaigning for re-election, Fina decides to research voting. Specifically, letting kids younger than 18 cast a ballot.
Real-life Congressman Mark Takano of Riverside, California zooms with the class to answer questions about youth voting.
There is also a mystery to be solved: who broke into their classroom, ransacking the backpacks and rifling the teacher’s desk. Fina consults with her detecting partner, a giant orange dog named Senator Something, and talks her sister into accompanying her on a field trip to see if her hunch about the culprit is correct.
There is FREE curriculum for this episode. And if you want to know the history of lowering the voting age, check out our Facts Behind the Fiction blog.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are written and produced by Kitty Felde
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano as Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil as Gabby
Susan Valot appears as Ms. Greenwood
India Scalione plays Becka
Eddie Pike plays Michael and
Myka Scalione plays Margaret
Laura Stegman appears as Congresswoman Mitchell
And Steve DeVorkin is Senator Something
Hannah Matzecki is our associate producer. Our music is by composer and musician Andrew Barkan. Our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are based on the books State of the Union and Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza by Kitty Felde.
Just in time for the November elections, we're re-releasing our special 2-part election episode of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries. It's called "Let Kids Vote."
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysterious animals in the U.S. Capitol.
Free curriculum for this episode.
Just in time for the November elections, we're re-releasing our special 2-part election episode of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries. It's called "Let Kids Vote."
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysterious animals in the U.S. Capitol.
Free curriculum for this episode.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysterious animals in the U.S. Capitol.
Actor Steve DeVorkin channels our big orange dog Senator Something on the show. But this season, he also tackles another role: the House Chaplain Fr. Andrew.
Find out more about the cast at the website.
Find out the facts behind the fiction in The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast.
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. That newsletter includes the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysterious animals in the U.S. Capitol.
Actor Steve DeVorkin channels our big orange dog Senator Something on the show. But this season, he also tackles another role: the House Chaplain Fr. Andrew.
Find out more about the cast at the website.
Find out the facts behind the fiction in The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast.
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. That newsletter includes the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysterious animals in the U.S. Capitol.
Actress Amy Solano plays Fina Mendoza. And here's a secret: she's not really a 10-year-old girl.
Find out more about the cast at the website.
Find out the facts behind the fiction in The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast.
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. That newsletter includes the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysterious animals in the U.S. Capitol.
In real life, actress Monica Vigil is a brand new third grade teacher. On The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast, she plays Fina Mendoza's older sister Gabby. Monica talks about her character in Season 2 and her real-life relationship with actress Amy Solano who plays Fina.
Find out more about the cast at the website.
Find out the facts behind the fiction in The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast.
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. That newsletter includes the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysterious animals in the U.S. Capitol.
Steven Cuevas spends much of his time as a public radio journalist, interviewing politicians. In The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast, he plays a politician, Congressman Arturo Mendoza of California's 34th congressional district. Steven talks to writer/producer Kitty Felde about his character and real-life politicians LA City Attorney Mike Feuer and LA Mayor Eric Garcetti.
Want to know the Facts Behind the Fiction in The Fina Mendoza Mysteries? Check out our 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.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysterious animals in the U.S. Capitol.
There are two Fina in the Mendoza household: Fina, the 10-year-old detective in the U.S. Capitol, and her grandmother Abuelita. Actress Christine Avila brings Abuelita to life. Meet her in this bonuse episode.
Want to know the Facts Behind the Fiction in The Fina Mendoza Mysteries? Check out our 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.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysterious animals in the U.S. Capitol.
In Episode 18, all of Washington is talking about the capture of the Burrowing Owl that pooped on the president during the State of the Union address. But not about Fina. Papa's political fundraiser with LA food trucks seems to be a huge success. And Fina gets a very special letter.
Want to know the Facts Behind the Fiction in this episode? This week, we highlight some of the more creative political fundraising events over the years.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are written and produced by Kitty Felde.
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Christine Avila - Abuelita
Steven Cuevas - Congressman Arturo Mendoza
Tamika Katon Donegal - Monica
Waiter - Wenzel Jones
Andrea Felix-Cervantes is our stage manager. Our music is written and performed by Andrew Barkan, and our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa.
Season 2 of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the book State of the Union, by Kitty Felde, published by Chesapeake Press. Autographed copies of State of the Union are available for purchase 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. That newsletter includes the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysterious animals in the U.S. Capitol.
In Episode 18, all of Washington is talking about the capture of the Burrowing Owl that pooped on the president during the State of the Union address. But not about Fina. Papa's political fundraiser with LA food trucks seems to be a huge success. And Fina gets a very special letter.
Want to know the Facts Behind the Fiction in this episode? This week, we highlight some of the more creative political fundraising events over the years.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are written and produced by Kitty Felde.
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Christine Avila - Abuelita
Steven Cuevas - Congressman Arturo Mendoza
Tamika Katon Donegal - Monica
Waiter - Wenzel Jones
Andrea Felix-Cervantes is our stage manager. Our music is written and performed by Andrew Barkan, and our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa.
Season 2 of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the book State of the Union, by Kitty Felde, published by Chesapeake Press. Autographed copies of State of the Union are available for purchase 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. That newsletter includes the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysterious animals in the U.S. Capitol.
In Episode 17, Fina and her loyal canine companion Senator Something track down Chickcharney in one of the U.S. Capitol's parking garages. But will Fina learn the bird's secret message?
Want to know the Facts Behind the Fiction in this episode? This week, we explain what's up with the construction in the Rayburn Garage.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are written and produced by Kitty Felde.
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Christine Avila - Abuelita
Steven Cuevas - Congressman Arturo Mendoza
Tamika Katon Donegal - Monica
Construction Worker - Daniel Leslie
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.
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.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysterious animals in the U.S. Capitol.
In Episode 16, Fina's investigation takes her to the National Zoo where she finds out more about the Burrowing Owls. But Fina's client Monica suffers a major setback.
Want to know the Facts Behind the Fiction in this episode? This week, we explain Congressional Subpeonas.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are written and produced by Kitty Felde.
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Steven Cuevas - Congressman Arturo Mendoza
Linda Graves - Claudia
Elizabeth Logun - Bird Lady
Tamika Katon Donegal - Monica
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.
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.
Fina uses her detecting skills to help her father find her grandmother who has run away from home. Their search takes them to a church basement kitchen.
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Steven Cuevas - Papa
Christina Avila - Abuelita
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Imelda Hinojosa - Tia Catalina
Steve Devorkin - Father Andrew
Andrea Felix-Cervantes is our stage manager. Our music is written and performed by Andrew Barkan, and our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa.
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.
Fina discovers some important clues about the mysterious bird that pooped on the president. Her teacher helps her solve some difficult math problems. And Fina tries to solve the mysteries of dogs.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are written and produced by Kitty Felde.
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Susan Valot - Ms. Greenwood
India Scalione - Becka
Ian Muchuri - Michael
Mark Muchuri - Brian
Myka Scalione - Margaret
Leo Schodorf - Mason
Isla Schodorf - Cara
Laura Stegman - Congresswoman Mitchell
Elizabeth Logun - St. Sebastian
Steve DeVorkin - Father Andrew and 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.
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.
Fina's father and grandmother have an enormous fight with serious consequences. And there's nothing Fina can do about it.
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Christine Avila - Abuelita
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Imelda Hinojosa - Tia Catalina
Steven Cuevas - Papa
Andrea Felix-Cervantes is our stage manager. Our music is written and performed by Andrew Barkan, and our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa.
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.
Fina's grandmother takes her to a meeting where an immigration reform protest is being organized. Her grandmother may have taken a step too far in her activism.
Cast:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Christine Avila - Abuelita
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Adolfo Guzman Lopez - Flip
Claudi Peschuita - Vicki
Bill Chappelle - Protest Coach
Alexandra Bank - TV Reporter
Steve DeVorkin - Fr. Andrew and 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.
Season 2 of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the book State of the Union, by Kitty Felde, published by Chesapeake Press. Autographed copies available through the website Chesapeakepress.org. That’s also where you can find out more about the cast and crew of the Fina Mendoza Mysteries. It’s also where you can find a free download of the 56-page Teacher’s Guide to the book and the podcast just by signing up for our newsletter which includes the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries. It’s also a sneaky way to introduce civics education to elementary school students.
Fina is on the hunt for Chickcharney in the basement of the U.S. Capitol, but the hunt leads to some serious consequences.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are written and produced by Kitty Felde.
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Tamika Katanon-Donegal - Monica
Melanie Macqueen - the policewoman
Gordon brooks and Joanie Anglin - staffers
Andrea Felix-Cervantes is our stage manager. Our music is written and performed by Andrew Barkan, Our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa.
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 pick up a copy at your local bookstore or ask your local public library to order a copy to add to their collection.
And if you want an autographed copy of State of the Union, check out the website Chesapeakepress.org. That’s also where you can find out more about the cast and crew of the Fina Mendoza Mysteries. It’s also where you can find 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. This week, it’s the Congressional Art Competition and we’ll tell you how your high schooler can have their work displayed in the U.S. Capitol.
The Mendoza family finally find a church that feels like home. And Abuelita finds a new community of activists. And Gabby gets her phone back.
Meanwhile, Fina is not happy with her new detecting partner St. Sebastian. He's a bird dog and easily distracted. But Fina has a breakthrough in her investigation of the bird that pooped on the head of the President.
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Christine Avila - Abuelita
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Steven Cuevas - Papa
Linda Graves - Claudia
Steve DeVorkin - Fr. Andrew
Andrea Felix-Cervantes is our stage manager. Our music is written and performed by Andrew Barkan, and our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa. The song “All Are Welcome” by Marty Haugen is used by permission of GIA Publications. Our church choir was led by Rosalie Huntington and Julie Pritikin. And special thanks to Katherine LaVictoire for her clarinet contribution.
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 pick up a copy at your local bookstore or ask your local public library to order a copy to add to their collection. And if you want an autographed copy of State of the Union, check out the website Chesapeakepress.org. That’s also where you can find out more about the cast and crew of the Fina Mendoza Mysteries. It’s also where you can find a free download of the 56-page Teacher’s Guide to the book and the podcast just by signing up for our newsletter which includes the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries. It’s also a sneaky way to introduce civics education to elementary school students.
After the attack on the Capitol on January 6th of last year, we saw the need to help parents and teachers talk to kids about what happened – without scaring them half to death, and to put the insurrection in some sort of historic context that kids could understand. We created a special episode called LOSING IS DEMOCRATIC with FREE curriculum that can be used in the classroom. We taped the episode during the pandemic when kids were learning remotely.
Now with the televised congressional hearings looking at the January 6th attack, we’ve again heard from parents looking for ways to have a conversation about January 6th with their kids. We're re-releasing the episode now.
Fina enlists the help of an expert as she continues the search for the bird that pooped on the President: a bird dog. Meanwhile, Gabby's in the doghouse for posting selfies on Instagram.
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Christine Avila - Abuelita
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Steven Cuevas - Papa
Elizabeth Logun - St. Sebastian
Mindy Shaw - the zoo intern
Steve DeVorkin - Fr. Andrew and 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.
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 pick up a copy at your local bookstore or ask your local public library to order a copy to add to their collection. And if you want an autographed copy of State of the Union, check out the website Chesapeakepress.org. That’s also where you can find out more about the cast and crew of the Fina Mendoza Mysteries. It’s also where you can find a free download of the 56-page Teacher’s Guide to the book and the podcast just by signing up for our newsletter which includes the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries. It’s also a sneaky way to introduce civics education to elementary school students.
All of Washington is shut down for the storm of the century. Meanwhile, Californians Fina and her sister Gabby learn the joys...and the downsides of snow.
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Steven Cuevas - Papa
Christine Avila - Abuelita
Laura Segal - Congresswoman Mitchell
Mindy Shaw - the voice on the zoo recording
Susan Valot - Ms. Greenwood
India Scalione - Becka
Ian Muchiri - Michael
Mark Muchiri - Brian, Mica Scalione - Margaret
Leo Schodorf - Mason
Isla Schodorf - Cara
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. And special thanks to Katherine LaVictoire for her clarinet contribution and Steven Leigh Morris for the sounds of snow.
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 pick up a copy at your local bookstore or ask your local public library to order a copy to add to their collection. And if you want an autographed copy of State of the Union, check out the website Chesapeakepress.org. That’s also where you can find out more about the cast and crew of the Fina Mendoza Mysteries.
Get your free download of the 56-page Teacher’s Guide to the book and the podcast just by signing up for our newsletter which includes the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries. It’s also a sneaky way to introduce civics education to elementary school students.
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.
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.
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 pick up a copy at your local bookstore or ask your local public library to order a copy to add to their collection. And if you want an autographed copy of State of the Union, check out the website Chesapeakepress.org. That’s also where you can find out more about the cast and crew of the Fina Mendoza Mysteries and also where you can find a free download of the 56-page Teacher’s Guide to the book and the podcast just by signing up for our newsletter. That newsletter highlights the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries. The podcast and the book are designed to introduce civics education to elementary school students.
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.
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 podcast is based on the book State of the Union, by Kitty Felde, published by Chesapeake Press. If you want an autographed copy of State of the Union, check out the website Chesapeakepress.org. That’s also where you can find out more about the cast and crew of the Fina Mendoza Mysteries and also where you can find a free download of the 56-page Teacher’s Guide to the book and the podcast just by signing up for our newsletter. That newsletter highlights the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries. This week, it’s the history of the rebuttal speech. The podcast and the book are designed to introduce civics education to elementary school students.
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.
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.
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 pick up a copy at your local bookstore or ask your local public library to order a copy to add to their collection.
Download the free 56-page Teacher's Guide to The Fina Mendoza Mysteries here.
And if you want an autographed copy of State of the Union, check out the website. That’s also where you can find out more about the cast and crew of the Fina Mendoza Mysteries and also sign up for our "Facts Behind the Fiction" newsletter that highlights the real stories behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries. This week, it’s the story of eagles in the U.S. Capitol.
That 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.
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.
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 pick up a copy at your local bookstore or ask your local public library to order a copy to add to their collection. And if you want an autographed copy of State of the Union, check out the website Chesapeakepress.org. That’s also where you can find out more about the cast and crew of the Fina Mendoza Mysteries and also where you can find a free download of the 56-page Teacher’s Guide to the book and the podcast just by signing up for our newsletter. That newsletter highlights the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries. This week, it’s the history of the rebuttal speech. The podcast and the book are designed to introduce civics education to elementary school students.
Fina decides to take the case of the mysterious Chickcharney... maybe it has a secret message for her!
Amy Solano as Fina Mendoza, Tamika Katon-Donegal as Monica, Steven Cuevas as Papa, Monica Vigil as Gabby. And Steve DeVorkin is 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.
Download the free, 56-page Teacher's Guide at finamendozamysteries.com.
Fina's grandmother finally arrives in Washington, but she seems more excited about seeing a statue of her hero: Ronald Reagan. Meanwhile, Fina enlists the talents of her detecting partner, a big orange dog named Senator Something.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are written and produced by Kitty Felde.
Cast:
Fina - Amy Solano
Papa - Steven Cuevas
Gabby - Monica Vigil
Abuelita - Christine Avila
Driver - Paul Cummings
Becka - India Scalione
Michael - Ian Kinuthia
Congresswoman Mitchell - Laura Stegman
John the Staffer - Steve Gamber
Senator Something - Steve DeVorkin
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 pick up a copy at your local bookstore or ask your public library to add it to their collection. Autographed copies and a free 65 page Teacher's Guide to the series available at chesapeakepress.org. It’s a great way to introduce civics to kids.
More info about cast and crew of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries at www.chesapeakepress.org.
It's season 2 of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries and Fina has a new case: find the mysterious Chickcharney, a mythical bird from the Caribbean, for her friend Monica who works in the snack bar.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are written and produced by Kitty Felde.
Cast:
Fina - Amy Solano
Papa - Steven Cuevas
Monica - Tamika Katon-Donegal
Claudia - Linda Graves
John the Staffer - Steve Gamber
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 pick up a copy at your local bookstore or ask your public library to add it to their collection. Autographed copies and a free 65 page Teacher's Guide to the series available at chesapeakepress.org. It’s a great way to introduce civics to kids.
More info about cast and crew of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries at www.chesapeakepress.org.
Season 2 begins Tuesday, May 3rd.
But we have one more sneak preview for you. It's an introduction to snow to those who live in places where snow is a rare event. Our California heroines Fina and her older Sister Gabby try to figure out how you prepare for a blizzard.
Hey! Somebody stole our plot!
Last week, social media went crazy over a bit of corn chaff that fell on President Biden's lapel. It looked like bird poop. Which is exactly what happens in Season Two of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast. And in the book State of the Union: A Fina Mendoza Mystery by Kitty Felde.
Give a listen to this sneak preview of "the morning after" scene.
Season Two of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries launches May 3rd.
There are more animals on Capitol Hill than you might think. Last week, a fox bit more than half a dozen people outside the U.S. Capitol - including a U.S. Congressman.
On this week's sneak preview of Season 2 of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries, we learn about the Bald Eagle's relationship to Capitol Hill.
There's a free 56-page Teacher's Guide to The Fina Mendoza Mysteries that you can download by signing up for our newsletter at www.finamendozamysteries.com. It's also available for purchase at Amazon.
Season 2 begins on May 3rd.
You can't do a political show in Washington DC without a political pundit. We have two of them on State of the Union: Season 2 of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast. One of them is real: the host of Ken Rudin's Political Junkie, public radio's Ken Rudin. He's joined by actor Garrett M. Brown (Sisters) as his partner in punditry.
Ken and Garrett were asked to riff on the events at the State of the Union address. Their conversation becomes the background of one of Season 2's episodes. But we thought it would be fun to hear the entire conversation. As a sneak preview of Season 2, we're sharing their punditry.
Season 2 launches on May 3.
Sometimes Fina and her older sister Gabby are not crabbing at each other. Sometimes. Here's a short scene from Season 2 with our favorite Mendoza sisters.
We respond to Olivia Lily, who comments on The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast with a complaint about the way we treat cats. We also introduce you to yet ANOTHER dog in Season 2!
Season 2 begins in May, but we're having so much fun finishing up the show, we wanted to share some sneak previews of State of the Union.
Season 2 is based on book 2 in The Fina Mendoza Mysteries series of books, called State of the Union, by Kitty Felde, published by Chesapeake Press. Can't wait for the podcast to begin? Order a copy of the book at your local library or bookstore.
How do you explain the events of January 6th to children?
This special 2-part episode is designed for teachers and parents to talk to young people about what happened and why and what larger lessons can be drawn from the attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Free curriculum for this episode can be downloaded here.
The episode takes place on January 6th, 2021, in a classroom meeting on zoom because of the pandemic. Our 10-year-old detective Fina Mendoza, the daughter of a congressman, has a new mystery to solve: who stole the 5th grade's pizza, a prize for the winner of a reading competition with the 4th grade?
Fina and her classmates have parents who work in the U.S. Capitol and they learn of the attack on that workplace during class. Their teacher, Miss Greenwood, helps them understand the events in a larger context. They discuss the electoral process, George Washington's decision not to run for a third term, high fives in baseball, and how John Adams and Thomas Jefferson found a way to reconciliation after a particularly nasty election.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are based on a series of novels by Kitty Felde, including Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza and State of the Union, published by Chesapeake Press and can be ordered at your local library, Amazon, or your favorite indie bookstore.
How do you explain the events of January 6th to children?
This special 2-part episode is designed for teachers and parents to talk to young people about what happened and why and what larger lessons can be drawn from the attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Free curriculum for this episode can be downloaded here.
The episode takes place on January 6th, 2021, in a classroom meeting on zoom because of the pandemic. Our 10-year-old detective Fina Mendoza, the daughter of a congressman, has a new mystery to solve: who stole the 5th grade's pizza, a prize for the winner of a reading competition with the 4th grade?
Fina and her classmates have parents who work in the U.S. Capitol and they learn of the attack on that workplace during class. Their teacher, Miss Greenwood, helps them understand the events in a larger context. They discuss the electoral process, George Washington's decision not to run for a third term, high fives in baseball, and how John Adams and Thomas Jefferson found a way to reconciliation after a particularly nasty election.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are based on a series of novels by Kitty Felde, including Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza and State of the Union, published by Chesapeake Press and can be ordered at your local library, Amazon, or your favorite indie bookstore.
Every family celebrates the holidays in their own special way. This year, we spend time with the Mendoza family during their first December in Washington, D.C. as they remember past celebrations and experience new traditions.
We are busy taping Season Two of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries State of the Union which premieres in early 2022.
The podcast series is based on a series of books by Kitty Felde in The Fina Mendoza Mysteries series. Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza and State of the Union are both available from Chesapeake Press in hardback, paperback, and ebook wherever you buy your books (or borrow them from the library.)
There is curriculum and free Teacher's Guides at the website.
To thank you this Thanksgiving week, we're reprising our Thanksgiving episode of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast. Thank you for listening. Season two begins in late January.
Halloween isn't the only holiday celebrated at this time of year. In the Mexican Catholic tradition, families celebrate Dia de los Muertos - Day of the Dead - on All Saints and All Souls day with sugar skulls and picnics at the cemetery.
Join Fina and Gabby Mendoza and their grandmother as they remember their late mom.
Curriculum available at the website www.finamendoza.com.
We know you're impatient for more Fina Mendoza Mysteries. We're working hard on Season Two, but we wanted to share a sneak preview of the coming season called State of the Union. It's based on The Fina Mendoza Mysteries series of novels published by Chesapeake Press. Book 2 in the series State of the Union is available NOW at your local indie bookstore, Barnes & Noble or Amazon, or you can ask your local public library to order the book.
FYI, Book 1 in the series Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza is also available to read! And if you want an autographed bookplate and bookmark for the books, check out the website chesapeakepress.org.
Fina Mendoza has a mystery to solve: who sent her classmates pizza? Her teacher has a challenge of her own: how to teach her 4th grade students about the attack on the U.S. Capitol. She looks to John Adams for inspiration.
Free curriculum available at the website finamendozamysteries.com
Fina Mendoza, the ten-year-old daughter of a congressman from California, solves mysteries on Capitol Hill. Fina has a new mystery on her hands. Her entire fourth grade is competing with fifth graders in a reading competition to see who can read the most pages. The prize: free pizza. Unfortunately, her class loses the contest. But pizza mysteriously appears anyway at the front door of all the fourth graders. How did that happen?
Meanwhile, Fina’s father and the parents of nearly everybody else in her class is working in the U.S. Capitol on January 6th to certify the election results. News of the insurrection reaches Fina and her classmates in the middle of a geography lesson. Fina’s father, Congressman Arturo Mendoza, arrives home safe and sound and tries to explain why people were angry, comparing it to the anger Fina herself felt when her beloved Dodgers discovered that the Houston Astros were cheating by stealing pitching signs.
In class the next day, students discuss the events of January 6th and also the mysterious pizza delivery. They talk about the role of losing in a democracy, how John Adams was angry that he lost his election, and how he stayed angry for many years with the man who won, Thomas Jefferson.
Fina solves the pizza mystery with the help of her clarinet-playing sister Gabby and the congressional dog she walks named Senator Something. Fina also suggests that 4th graders can be gracious losers by writing letters to the 5th grade, the way Adams and Jefferson did, becoming perhaps not friends, but at least opening a door to reconciliation.
This episode has free curriculum at finamendozamysteries.com
In this year of upended traditions, we check in with the Mendoza family as they remember their own favorite Christmas past. And we celebrate a Capitol Hill tradition: the lighting of the Capitol Christmas tree.
Here's a link to the 2020 Capitol Christmas Tree celebration.
I’ll bet you didn’t get to ride in a parade or spend Thanksgiving with your congressman dad answering questions at a Veteran’s hall. That’s how Fina's spending her Thanksgiving on a return visit to California.
www.finamendozamysteries.com
This Sunday and Monday, the first and second of November, are the Mexican holiday known as Dia de los Muertos – the Day of the Dead. It’s a celebration we include in The Fina Mendoza Mysteries as Fina and her older sister Gabby try to come to terms with moving across the country from California to Washington after the death of their mom. To honor all of our moms and other loved ones who are no longer with us on this earth, we’re sharing this short scene from the podcast.
By the way, we have a curriculum sheet for Dia de los Muertos at our website, finamendozamysteries.com. You can also get an autographed copy of the book that inspired the series: WELCOME TO WASHINGTON FINA MENDOZA.
It’s a new school year for Fina Mendoza, another year of distance learning. Her teacher assigns a Genius Project, letting students pick the topic they’d like to research and present to the class. Since it's an election year and Fina’s congressman father is back in California campaigning for re-election, Fina decides to research voting. Specifically, letting kids younger than 18 cast a ballot.
Real-life Congressman Mark Takano of Riverside, California zooms with the class to answer questions about youth voting.
There is also a mystery to be solved: who broke into their classroom, ransacking the backpacks and rifling the teacher’s desk. Fina consults with her detecting partner, a giant orange dog named Senator Something, and talks her sister into accompanying her on a field trip to see if her hunch about the culprit is correct.
There is FREE curriculum for this episode at the website: finamendozamysteries.com.
THE FINA MENDOZA MYSTERIES is based on the award-winning book "Welcome to Washington, Fina Mendoza" by Kitty Felde.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are written and produced by Kitty Felde
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano as Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil as Gabby
Susan Valot appears as Ms. Greenwood
India Scalione plays Becka
Eddie Pike plays Michael and
Myka Scalione plays Margaret
Laura Stegman appears as Congresswoman Mitchell
And Steve DeVorkin is Senator Something
Hannah Matzecki is our associate producer. Our music is by composer and musician Andrew Barkan. Our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are based on the book "Welcome to Washington, Fina Mendoza" by Kitty Felde. You can get an autographed copy of the book at our website finamendozamysteries.com.
It’s a new school year for Fina Mendoza, another year of distance learning. Her teacher assigns a Genius Project, letting students pick the topic they’d like to research and present to the class. Since it's an election year and Fina’s congressman father is back in California campaigning for re-election, Fina decides to research voting. Specifically, letting kids younger than 18 cast a ballot.
Real-life Congressman Mark Takano of Riverside, California zooms with the class to answer questions about youth voting.
There is also a mystery to be solved: who broke into their classroom, ransacking the backpacks and rifling the teacher’s desk. Fina consults with her detecting partner, a giant orange dog named Senator Something, and talks her sister into accompanying her on a field trip to see if her hunch about the culprit is correct.
There is FREE curriculum for this episode at the website: finamendozamysteries.com.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are written and produced by Kitty Felde
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano as Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil as Gabby
Susan Valot appears as Ms. Greenwood
India Scalione plays Becka
Eddie Pike plays Michael and
Myka Scalione plays Margaret
Laura Stegman appears as Congresswoman Mitchell
And Steve DeVorkin is Senator Something
Hannah Matzecki is our associate producer. Our music is by composer and musician Andrew Barkan. Our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are based on the book "Welcome to Washington, Fina Mendoza" by Kitty Felde. You can get an autographed copy of the book at our website finamendozamysteries.com.
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 related to the episode at the website finamendozamysteries.com.
Fina Mendoza, the 10-year-old detective who lives on Capitol Hill, is stuck at home with her older sister Gabby and her father, a U.S. Congessman. Fina's class assignment is to keep an audio diary as a primary source for future historians, recording what it was like to live through the coronavirus pandemic. Fina checks in by phone with her favorite dog Senator Something and solves the mystery of the missing TV remote control. We also learn about what Congress is doing.
Free curriculum and a downloadable worksheet for keeping your own coronavirus diary is available at the website finamendozamysteries.com.
The podcast is based on the award-winning book "Welcome to Washington, Fina Mendoza" by Kitty Felde.
Journalist Susan Valot interviews writer/producer Kitty Felde about the creative choices behind THE FINA MENDOZA MYSTERIES.
The podcast is based on the award winning book "Welcome to Washington, Fina Mendoza" by Kitty Felde. More information at the website finamendozamysteries.com.
We asked the cast of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast to tell us a little more about their characters.
The podcast is based on the award-winning book "Welcome to Washington, Fina Mendoza" by Kitty Felde. More information at the website finamendozamysteries.com.
Fina ties up loose ends in the case of the mystery of the Demon Cat of Capitol Hill and experiences her first Christmas in Washington, DC.
The podcast is based on the award winning book "Welcome to Washington, Fina Mendoza" by Kitty Felde. More details at the website finamendozamysteries.com.
The Mendoza family heads to Los Angeles to celebrate Thanksgiving. Fina worries that the curse of the Demon Cat will follow them to California.
Writer/Producer - Kitty Felde
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Raul Garza - Papa
Christine Avila - Abuelita
Imelda Hinojosa - Tia Catalina
Rachel Desztich - Tia Margarita
Brian Bland - Veteran
Steve DeVorkin - Senator Something
Associate Producer - Hannah Matzecki
Associate Sound Designer - Hunter Felde
Music Composed and Performed - Andrew Barkan
Logo Designer - Imelda Hinojosa
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the award-winning book “Welcome to Washington, Fina Mendoza.”
You can find out more at our website finamendozamysteries.com
Fina continues to investigate the history of cats in the U.S. Capitol. Papa returns to Washington for a family meal. But then catastrophe strikes. Can the Demon Cat be to blame?
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is written and produced by Kitty Felde
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Raul Garza - Papa
Mat Kaplan - House Historian
Steve Gamber - John the Staffer
Brian Bland - Capitol Tour Guide
Rosalie Fox - Veterinarian
Steve DeVorkin - Senator Something
Our tour kids are Michael Beemer, India Scaglione, and Myca Scaglione
Associate Producer - Hannah Matzecki
Associate Sound Designer - Hunter Felde
Music Composed and Performed - Andrew Barkan
Logo Designer - Imelda Hinojosa
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the award-winning book “Welcome to Washington, Fina Mendoza.”
You can find out more at our website finamendozamysteries.com
Fina and Gabby join Claudia at the National Zoo where Fina gathers clues. The Mendoza sisters also celebrate Dia de los Muertos - the Day of the Dead. And Fina comes up with a plan.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is written and produced by Kitty Felde
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano as Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil as Gabby
Linda Graves as Claudia
Christine Avila as Abuelita
And Steve DeVorkin as Senator Something
Associate Producer - Hannah Matzecki
Associate Sound Designer - Hunter Felde
Music Composed and Performed - Andrew Barkan
Logo Designer - Imelda Hinojosa
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the award-winning book “Welcome to Washington, Fina Mendoza.”
You can find out more at our website finamendozamysteries.com
Fina and Gabby get ready for Halloween without Papa and Abuelita. Fina discovers some of the backstory of the Demon Cat of Capitol Hill.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is written and produced by Kitty Felde.
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Christine Avila - Abuelita
Raul Garza – Papa
Elizabeth Logun - Librarian
Imelda Hinojosa - Tia Catalina
Associate Producer - Hannah Matzecki
Associate Sound Designer - Hunter Felde
Music Composed and Performed - Andrew Barkan
Logo Designer - Imelda Hinojosa
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the award-winning book “Welcome to Washington, Fina Mendoza.”
You can find out more at our website finamendozamysteries.com
Bad luck seems to haunt the Mendoza family. Fina is convinced that the mythical Demon Cat of Capitol Hill is to blame. Fina starts detecting and discovers an important clue.
Writer/Producer - Kitty Felde
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Raul Garza - Papa
Susan Valot - Ms. Greenwood
Linda Graves - Claudia
India Scaglione - Becka
William Beemer - Michael
Susan Valot - Ms. Greenwood
Steve Gamber - John the Staffer
Steve DeVorkin - Senator Something
Associate Producer - Hannah Matzecki
Associate Sound Designer - Hunter Felde
Music Composed and Performed - Andrew Barkan
Logo Designer - Imelda Hinojosa
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the award-winning book “Welcome to Washington, Fina Mendoza" by Kitty Felde.
You can find out more at our website finamendozamysteries.com
Fina meets a new friend and gets a new job and a new identity: lady detective.
Writer/Producer - Kitty Felde
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Monica Vigil - Gabby
Raul Garza - Papa
Linda Graves - Claudia
India Scaglione - Becka
William Beemer - Michael
Susan Valot - Ms. Greenwood
Steve Gamber - John the Staffer
Steve DeVorkin - Senator Something
Associate Producer - Hannah Matzecki
Associate Sound Designer - Hunter Felde
Music Composed and Performed - Andrew Barkan
Logo Designer - Imelda Hinojosa
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the award-winning book “Welcome to Washington, Fina Mendoza” by Kitty Felde.
You can find out more at our website finamendozamysteries.com
Meet Fina Mendoza. She spends her after school hours in the U.S. Capitol where her father is a congressman. While hunting down a lost sweatshirt in the Capitol Crypt, Fina stumbles over a mysterious creature. Is it the ghost of George Washington? Or perhaps the Demon Cat of Capitol Hill?
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is written and produced by Kitty Felde.
Our cast includes:
Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza
Raul Garza – Papa
Christine Avila - Abuelita
Linda Graves - Claudia
Melanie MacQueen - Capitol Policewoman
Wenzel Jones - Statue of Caesar Rodney
Elizabeth Logun - Demon Cat
Members of Congress - Alan Canterbury, Stephanie Zielonka, Joanie Anglin, and Tad Daley
Associate Producer - Hannah Matzecki
Associate Sound Designer - Hunter Felde
Music Composed and Performed - Andrew Barkan
Logo Designer - Imelda Hinojosa
Special thanks this week to Matt Lazlo and his interns Ben Morse and Eva Hofman. And thanks to Village Green.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the award-winning book “Welcome to Washington, Fina Mendoza.”
You can find out more at our website finamendozamysteries.com
There’s a legend in Washington, D.C. Anyone who sees the Demon Cat of Capitol Hill will be cursed. Fina Mendoza, the daughter of a congressman, just saw it. Can she save her family from “cat”astrophe?
These are the Fina Mendoza Mysteries.
Season One is based on the award-winning book "Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza" by Kitty Felde, published by Chesapeake Press. There is a 32 page Teacher's Guide to the book and podcast at Amazon.
www.finamendozamysteries.com