What people are saying about Snake in the Grass:
“Snake in the Grass” isn't just a fun mystery full of endearing characters; it's also a great primer on how our government works (and how, maybe, it could work a little bit better). Kitty Felde weaves an entrancing story! — Stuart Gibbs, author of the Spy School series
Pairing the allure of Washington, DC, with an animal misadventure, Snake in the Grass is a robust series mystery novel. — Foreword Reviews
For decades, Kitty Felde explained Congress and government to grown-ups, and she has made a masterful turn to explaining it to kids in this fun and engaging series. Fina is smart, curious, and spunky with a child’s innate sense of right and wrong. Through her eyes, it is clear what is wrong with hyperpartisan politics and what we should celebrate about those who go to Washington to make a difference in people’s lives. I could have used a friend like Fina when I was in Congress. — Former Congresswoman Janice Hahn (D)
Author Kitty Felde’s writing captivates and keeps you guessing until the very last page, making this book an engaging read from start to finish. — Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (R)
Fina’s adventures are invaluable in that they entertain while sparking a young reader’s interest in what is happening in the US Capitol. This kind of early exposure can lead to a lifelong interest in civic affairs. — Nancy Boyarsky, author of the Nicole Graves Mysteries
COMING APRIL 2025
PRE-ORDER NOW!
hardback: 979-8-9894934-3-2
ebook: 979-8-9894934-1-8
It’s The West Wing meets Nancy Drew.
Everybody’s mad at everybody on Capitol Hill. Members call each other names on the floor of the House of Representatives. A former Speaker of the House elbows a fellow lawmaker. And anybody who dares to work with someone in the other political party is punished. Now somebody’s putting snakes in lawmaker gym bags and trash cans. It’s up to 10-year-old Fina Mendoza, the daughter of a congressman, to find the real snake in the grass.
A great book and series for CIVICS EDUCATION!
Snake in the Grass features a 10-year-old Latina protagonist of spunk and smarts. As the daughter of a congressman, she solves mysteries after school in the U.S. Capitol with the help of a big orange dog… and introduces civics to kids.
Teachers, Librarians, and Homeschoolers:
THE FINA MENDOZA MYSTERIES SERIES of Books, Podcasts, Teacher’s Guides, and "Facts Behind the Fiction" newsletter/blog provide a multidisciplinary approach to civics education for elementary school readers. As our amateur detective solves mysteries on Capitol Hill, she and your students learn about American democracy with an emphasis on the legislative process, the role of party leadership, the toxicity of partisan politics, and the annual congressional charity baseball game.
DID YOU KNOW?
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.”
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.