STATE OF THE UNION

A girl searches for an elusive bird of myth in the nation’s Capitol building in this sequel.

After solving the truth behind the “Demon Cat of Capitol Hill” in Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza (2020), the first volume of this middle-grade series by veteran public radio journalist Felde, preteen detective Fina Mendoza finds herself embroiled in another mystery. Has the trickster Chickcharney bird of Bahamian folklore taken up residence in the Capitol building? It is some months since 10-year-old Fina and her teenage sister, Gabby, moved from California to the nation’s capital with their father, a member of the United States Congress. Busy Papa isn’t keen on Fina continuing her sleuthing, but she can’t say no to investigating whether the bird roosting in the Capitol building is indeed the Chickcharney, a long-legged, owllike creature from her friend Monica’s native island in the Caribbean. Monica is convinced that the bird has an important message for her, and Fina hopes it might have one for her, too, from her deceased mother. But what message did the bird send when it pooped on the president’s head during his State of the Union address—an event that so dominated the news cycle it eclipsed what the leader said? (According to Papa’s legislative analyst, the State of the Union reminds Congress of all the good things the president did and all the things he wants the branch to do, and then “somebody from the other party goes on TV to complain about everything the president just said.”) This year, Papa delivers the Spanish-language rebuttal and takes on immigration reform, with repercussions when Fina’s strong-minded Abuelita gets involved. Felde, executive producer of the podcasts Book Club for Kids and The Fina Mendoza Mysteries, combines her knowledge of the behind-the-scenes workings of Congress and Capitol Hill’s historic locales with suspense, humor, and a young, first-person Latina protagonist who is alive with realistic curiosity, empathy, and determination. Woven into the plot, with a light but meaningful touch, are political differences, immigration issues, Fina’s eventful approach to inquiry and research, and a strong, loving family still adjusting to loss and change.  

A lively, diverse mystery with enjoyable, informative plotting and a relatable young female protagonist.