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 the scary-looking man neighbors call the Bear.
A brush fire ignites during the July 4th fireworks and fear and suspicion sweep through the community. Neighbors are quick to point fingers at the Bear, but the curious detective suspects a deeper mystery. Fina learns the man is a military veteran and an artist — not the monster everyone assumes.
With her own aunts and grandmother pressuring City Hall to take action, time is running out. Fina investigates with courage and compassion and believes the real troublemaker has paws and claws. She knows she must do what’s right and stand up for the vulnerable veteran in her 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
This fourth book in the series is more than a mystery story:
It’s THE WEST WING meets NANCY DREW — this time, at CITY HALL
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TEACHERS, LIBRARIANS, and HOMESCHOOLERS: as The United States celebrates 250 years, The Fina Mendoza Mysteries series (books, podcasts, teacher’s guides, and “Facts Behind the Fiction” blog/newsletter) is perfect for social studies units on American democracy, the electoral process, and the legislative branch. This book also features LOCAL GOVERNMENT & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT as themes.
FREE DOWNLOADABLE TEACHER’S GUIDE AVAILABLE:
– Build reading skills while teaching integrated lessons
– ELA, Social Studies, and History for grades 3-5 Common Core
– NCSS curriculum standards, C3 Social Studies Readiness
– California Public Schools’ History-Social Science content standards
FREE MULTIMEDIA SOURCES:
– Address students’ diverse learning needs
– Support the use of technology in the classroom
– Dramatic podcast based on the books and current events
– Facts Behind the Fiction blog and newsletter offer historical context on current events as related to the books and podcast
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THE FINA MENDOZA MYSTERIES SERIES:
Book 1 – Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza
Book 2 – State of the Union
Book 3 – Snake in the Grass
Book 5 – Let Kids Vote!
Libro 1 – Bienvenida a Washington Fina Mendoza
Libro 2 – Estado de la Uni?n
Libro 3 – Serpiente en el C?sped
Libro 4 – Hogar de los Valientes
Libro 5 – Deja que los Ni?os Voten
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For fans of:
The Secret Lake
Greenglass House
White House Clubhouse series
The Mysterious Benedict Society
National Park Mystery Series
The Westing Game
The Boxcar Children
Encyclopedia Brown
The Virginia Mysteries
Hardy Boys
Author: Kitty Felde
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Chesapeake Press
Published: 07/14/2026
Series: The Fina Mendoza Mysteries
Pages: 224
ISBN: 9798999286413
Language: English
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