I was happy to see the release of a new installment of the Fina Mendoza mysteries, Snake in the Grass. The series is aimed at children aged eight to ten, the point when they’re into chapter books with well-developed plots and characters.

Fina’s adventures are an entertaining mix of mysterious happenings and lessons in government. They take a look at Congress, the US Capitol, and those who serve there. Better yet, these people are bought to life as three-dimensional characters, such as Fina’s congressman father.

The book takes place in Washington, DC and explains how Congress works in the real world. In the past, the top level of government hasn’t been the focus of social studies in elementary schools. 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.