The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysteries in the U.S. Capitol.

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.

Abuelita wants is a picture with that statue of Ronald Reagan. He was the president who signed into law IRCA, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 - the last time Congress passed major immigration reform. “It’s because of him that I became an American citizen and your father became a congressman,” she says.

What is IRCA?

Click HERE to read more about the 1986 immigration reform bill in our Facts Behind the Fiction blog.

The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are written and produced by Kitty Felde.

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.

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