A lively mystery with a touch of spookiness, an intriguing setting, an appealing family dynamic, and an enterprising Latina heroine.

Kirkus Reviews

Fina's lively first-person observations of Washington, DC, are perceptive without being too precocious, and her relationships with her father and sister ring true. The characters are convincing and well rounded, especially Gabby, who takes big sisterhood to a mercurial level, and Michael, a soft-spoken and seriously overscheduled classmate. Felde's novel weaves together the themes of mystery, change, family, and grief into a resolution that satisfies on all levels.

Booklist

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“9.5 out of 10”

Plot/Idea: In this delightful, age-appropriate tale of overcoming challenges, the mystery of a demon cat and a wholly charming young protagonist will pull readers in.

Prose: The prose is clear and smooth; the author has a knack for catchy descriptions and captures Fina's experiences in a relatable way.

Originality: The subtle layering of family traditions, growing pains, loss, and mystery -- set in the heart of DC -- makes for a fun, absorbing, and original story.

Character/Execution: Portrayed in a way that will be relatable to young readers, Felde lets readers into Fina's mind and shows her fears, challenges, and growth in a compelling manner. The book is filled with other characters who light up the story and make it come to life.

Blurb: As if losing her mother and having to move across the country weren't bad enough, things get worse for Fina Mendoza when she has a mysterious encounter in the Capitol Crypt of the US Capitol building. Was it really the famed Demon Cat of Capitol Hill? Young readers will enjoy solving the mystery along with Fina in Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza.

BookLife Prize Quarter Finalist

More Praise for Fina:

  • “Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza” is the perfect book for upper elementary - middle school students looking for an engaging text that delivers adventure and intrigue in the nation's capital. Readers from DC will appreciate the references to life in the city and various DC neighborhoods and landmarks. All readers will be able to relate to Fina's curiosity to know more about the mystery and history of the Capitol as she navigates adjusting to big life changes. Angela Falkenberg,

    School Librarian, Columbia Heights Education Campus, DC

  • Fina Mendoza is the kind of bright, lively, curious, loving little girl you want for a best friend forever. The book is a marvelous introduction to the workings of government, and of a young lady of spunk and smarts.  Susan Stamberg, NPR

  • Readers like me, old and young, will love learning about the customs and eccentricities in the halls of power that are interwoven into a moving comedy/drama of two sisters adjusting to the loss of their mother, of a congressman coping as a single parent, and of an abuelita protecting her grandchildren. And they’ll laugh out loud at the antics of the goofy orange dog, Senator Something. This patriotic and nonpartisan whodunit is both timely and welcome!     Gail Carson Levine, author of Ella Enchanted

  • Fina Mendoza is the kind of friend you want whether you walk on two legs or four, and “Welcome to Washington, Fina Mendoza” is the kind of book you’ll love to read! Leah Henderson, author of One Shadow on the Wall

  • With an engaging combination of mystery and history, Fina Mendoza takes readers on an insider’s tour of Capitol Hill while warding off the curse of the Demon Cat. You'll never look at DC the same way again. Wendy Wan-Long Shang, author of The Great Wall of Lucy Wu

  • Funny, spooky, moving and simply delightful. Felde’s insider look at D.C. through the eyes of Fina was a fascinating bonus.

    Sherri L. Smith, author of Flygirl                      

Kitty chats with LA Public Librarian Lauren Kratz

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It’s The West Wing meets Nancy Drew.

Legend has it: anyone who sees the Demon Cat of Capitol Hill will be cursed with bad luck. 10-year-old Fina Mendoza just saw it. And the last thing her family needs right now is more bad luck. Fina just moved to Washington, D.C. to live fulltime with Papa, a congressman from California. She encounters a mysterious cat and disaster follows. The only way for Fina to save her family from future “cat”astrophe is to solve the mystery of the Demon Cat of Capitol Hill.

Fina was inspired by a young woman Kitty mentored for many years. But are the politicos based on real people? “No comment,” Kitty says. “I was always more interested in the human side of politics, something that didn’t always fit into a news story. Telling the story of Fina allowed me to describe the real Capitol Hill.”  A mysterious bird poops on the head of the president during the State of the Union address. Can Fina Mendoza, the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman outsmart the Secret Service, the Capitol Police, and most of Capitol Hill and find that bird?

NOW AVAILABLE IN SPANISH!


What Washington is Saying About Fina:

  • Told with unerring accuracy, my son and I recognized the perfect descriptions of the Capitol Dome and Fina’s rich cultural traditions. Refreshing and unique, it is already a family favorite.

    U.S. Congresswoman Linda Sanchez

  • A fun read disguised as a book for grade schoolers, it gives keen insight into the everyday workings of the U. S. Capitol and its inhabitants.

    U.S. Congressman David Dreier, former Chair of the House Rules Committee

  • This heartwarming story about life’s obstacles, taking responsibility for your actions, and overcoming fears also serves as a tender reminder to children and adults alike, that even when parents seem busy, they are always paying attention.

    U.S. Congressman David G. Valadao

  • Embracing true Mexican traditions and family values, she captures a child’s imagination from the viewpoint of Washington’s multi-faceted world while providing insight into Los Angeles’ culture. Great read. I could not put the book down. U.S. Congresswoman Grace Napolitano

  • A delightful perspective on the familiar, turning a cross-cultural, bi-coastal mixture into a tasty bit of fluff as a children’s book. Steve Livengood, U.S. Capitol Historical Society

Kitty Felde

ABOUT THE WRITER: Award-winning public radio journalist Kitty Felde hosts the award-winning Book Club for Kids podcast – named one of the top 10 kidcasts in the world by The Times of London. Kitty looked for the Demon Cat while covering Congress for public radio. She found the paw prints, but not the cat.