Want to talk to kids about January 6th?
Paperback: 979-8-9894934-4-9
Ebook: 979-8-9894934-5-6
REVIEWS: From Members of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol:
“I’ll never forget living through that historic day, watching as our democracy was attacked from within. It’s so important to teach our children the truth about January 6th so that history doesn’t repeat itself. Consider this a useful tool in the defense of our shared nation.
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“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.
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Losing is Democratic:
a Fina Mendoza novella
by Kitty Felde
In this novella, it's January 5, 2021, the middle of the pandemic, when Fina and her classmates are remote learning at home. Fina’s fourth grade class has challenged the fifth grade to a reading competition. But the losing class refuses to admit defeat and manages to steal the pizza that was supposed to go to the winners. Fina is determined to find out who stole the pizza.
Fina consults her Dr. Watson, a huge orange dog. But her investigation is interrupted on January 6th.
Fina and her classmates on Zoom react in real time to the news from the Capitol, a place where many of their parents work. Later that night, Fina’s father returns home safely, but explains to Fina that it’s his job to return to the Capitol to cast his vote to certify the election.
Back at school in their Zoom classroom, Fina’s teacher helps her students talk about their fears, but then she leads them in a history lesson. The kids talk about George Washington, who didn’t want to be a king, and about John Adams’ lingering anger and jealousy after losing his reelection to Thomas Jefferson. They talk about how Adams and Jefferson healed the breach through letters.
Fina reflects on winning and losing: whether it’s a reading competition, the World Series, or an election, you need both winners and losers. Her class learns how to be gracious losers.
Click here to listen to the podcast version of Losing is Democratic for FREE.
Writer Kitty Felde with her Next Generation Indie Book Award medal
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What kids have to say about Losing is Democratic:
“It’s a good way to learn about January 6th. And I liked the mystery.
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“I can’t believe this event happened, right in our backyard!
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“This book encouraged me to watch the news more with my family!
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“You should read this book because you can learn about politics and the elections.”
What an IBPA Award judge has to say about Losing is Democratic:
“Losing Is Democratic is informational, educational, and a fun read. Felde knows her audience, ages 7-12, and knows how to tell a good story. She does a great job of combining history with current events. Her characters are believable and young readers will see themselves in each character. Readers will be able to relate to the young students in the book. Word choice and presentation is perfect. Felde does a good job of hooking her young audience while involving them with what happened on January 6.
This works two ways--the book teachers can read to their classes after lunch or as a book teachers can use to teach their students about American politics, about democracy, and about something that happened on January 6.
It's something I haven't seen anywhere else. Given the current administration, it would probably be banned, so for that reason, it's important to get it out in classrooms. It is more important than ever to have respectful classroom discussions about democracy and fair play. The questions, research, additional resources and vocabulary are all helpful. Also, for kids who like to read books in a series, this is a good lead-in for them.
— IBPA Award Judge
A Note from the Author:
How do we talk to kids about the events of January 6th without scaring them to death? Can we use the events of that day as a way to further civics education and perhaps even inspire the next generation to consider public service?
I covered Capitol Hill for Southern California Public Radio for nearly a decade. Back then, I explained how government works to grownups. Now I explain it to kids. That’s the purpose of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries books and podcast.
I wanted to help parents and teachers explain what happened in a way that makes sense to kids. I talked to teachers on Capitol Hill, asking them how they talked to their students about the attack on the Capitol. Their answers inspired Losing is Democratic.
