Break-ins, vandalism, fires -- everyone blames a homeless man they call the Bear. Everyone except 11-year-old detective Fina Mendoza. Solving this mystery will take bravery she didn't know she had.

Fina and her sister Gabby are back in Los Angeles for the summer. While their congressman father campaigns for reelection, they reunite with their large, close-knit Mexican American family to share the food and traditions that make the city feel like home. But when Fina reconnects with her best friend, she discovers something rotten in her old neighborhood. Amid the new megamansions and an explosion of electric cars, she sees a battered old RV and a scary-looking man neighbors call "The Bear."

A brush fire ignites during July 4th fireworks and fear and suspicion sweep through the community. Neighbors are quick to point fingers at The Bear, but the curious detective taps her inside-the-Beltway experience to uncover a deeper mystery involving strange paintings, a military veteran, and urban wildlife.

With her own aunts and grandmother pressuring City Hall to take action, time is running out for the homeless man. Fina looks for the facts and suspects the real troublemaker might have paws and claws. She investigates with courage and compassion, standing up for a vulnerable veteran in a gentrifying neighborhood.

This heartwarming whodunit explores family, belonging, and the power of one brave girl to challenge stereotypes and find a "home" for everyone.

"A SWEET STORY ROOTED IN RELEVANT SOCIAL ISSUES." --Kirkus Reviews

The West Wing meets Nancy Drew -- this time, at City Hall. Ideal for social studies units on local government as America turns 250.

Also available in Spanish in January, 2027! Look for: Hogar de los Valientes by Kitty Felde, translated by Jorge Flores González.

Introduce civics to your students with "The Fina Mendoza Mysteries" series!

Build reading skills while teaching integrated lessons:

• ELA, social studies, and history designed for grades 3-5 Common Core Standards
• NCSS curriculum standards, C3 Social Studies Readiness
• California Public Schools' History-Social Science content standards
• Designed for elementary school teachers, librarians, parents, homeschoolers, scout leaders, and other community educators.

Help address students' diverse learning needs:

• FREE downloadable Teachers Guide
• Dramatic podcast based on the books and current events
• Facts Behind the Fiction newsletter/blog with ongoing historical and civics context for the series

THE FINA MENDOZA MYSTERIES SERIES: Book 1 - Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza Book 2 - State of the Union: A Fina Mendoza Mystery Book 3 - Snake in the Grass Book 4 - Home of the Brave Book 5 - Let Kids Vote!

Novella - Losing is Democratic: How to Talk to Kids About January 6th

Podcast - The Fina Mendoza Mysteries Newsletter & Blog - Facts Behind the Fiction

ALSO AVAILABLE IN SPANISH: Libro 1 - Bienvenida a Washington Fina Mendoza Libro 2 - Estado de la Unión Libro 3 - Serpiente en el Césped Libro 4 - Hogar de los Valientes Libro 5 - Dejen a los Niños Votar!

For fans of: The Secret Lake Greenglass House The Mysterious Benedict Society National Park Mystery Series White House Clubhouse Series