Episódios
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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.
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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
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Estão a faltar episódios?
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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
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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. Fina and her sister get a very special opportunity to light the Capitol Christmas Tree. Find out more about the cast at the website.
The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the books Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza and State of the Union, by Kitty Felde, published by Chesapeakepress.org.
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.
Coming in December: Losing is Democratic: How to Talk to Kids About January 6th in paperback.
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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 Bienvenida a Washington Fina Mendoza by Kitty Felde, published by Chesapeake Press is available wherever great books are sold. It's the Spanish language version of Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza.
Get your copy now!
You can find out more at our website.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 MendozaMonica 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.
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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 MendozaMonica 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.
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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.
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 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.
Sign up for the Facts Behind the Fiction newsletter and get the free teacher's guide to Fina Mendoza at the website chesapeakepress.org.
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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.
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 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.
Sign up for the Facts Behind the Fiction newsletter and get the free teacher's guide to Fina Mendoza at the website chesapeakepress.org.
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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.
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 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.
Sign up for the Facts Behind the Fiction newsletter and get the free teacher's guide to Fina Mendoza at the website chesapeakepress.org.
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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.
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 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.
Sign up for the Facts Behind the Fiction newsletter and get the free teacher's guide to Fina Mendoza at the website chesapeakepress.org.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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 MendozaMonica 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.
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