Children’s Book Review: How to Ace the National Geographic Bee By Stephen F. Cunha

Each year more than 100,000 Americans actively participate in Geography Awareness Week (GeoWeek). Established by presidential proclamation more than 25 years ago, this annual public awareness program organized by National Geographic Education Programs (NGEP) encourages citizens young and old to think and learn about the significance of place and how we affect and are affected by it. Each third week of November, students, families and community members focus on the importance of geography by hosting events; using lessons, games, and challenges in the classroom; and often meeting with policymakers and business leaders as part of that year’s activities. Geography Awareness Week is supported by year-long access to materials and resources for teachers, parents, community activists and all geographically minded global citizens.

For more information about Geography Awareness Week, click HERE

Students in grade 4-8 from over 10,000 schools across our nation compete every year in the National Geographic Bee. The deadline to register your school for the state bee is January 26, 2018, with the State Bees being held April 6, 2018. Winners then travel to Washington D.C. for the National Geographic Bee from May 20-23, 2018, its 30th year in existence. Our school has never participated in this, but I know it is something our kids would have done if they had offered it.

Even if you aren’t interested or don’t have an opportunity to participate in a Geographic Bee, this is still a great book to have in your school or home library. This book can be used at the dinner table for discussion or for studying in your homeschool. Kids that like trivia books or learning about various countries and world demographics will enjoy reading and answering the questions in the book.

The book begins with laying out how the Geographic Bee works and some study tips. It offers maps and tips for learning various landscapes, populations, languages, and other physical features of various continents. The next sections offer questions much like the Geographic Bee would ask. Numerous pages of various book and online resources are shared for further study. The end of the book includes a map of each continent with all the countries marked and then basic stats about each country. 

In my quick skim through the questions, I did ok with the questions about the United States. But, once the questions asked about what country borders the Adriatic Sea or do the snow egrets or chimpanzees live in the mangrove forests, I knew I was not as knowledgeable about our world as I should be. I think this book will encourage kids and adults to learn more about habitats, countries, and nature and encourage kids to research when a question piques their interest. It has certainly given me some motivation to throw some of these questions out to our kids (7th grader, 11th grader, and 12th grader) to see what they know.

Maybe you will enjoy this book enough to get your school to start hosting a Geographic Bee! If nothing else, it will encourage an interest in learning more about the world we live and interact in.

Geographer, educator, and author Stephen F. Cunha spent ten years as a national park ranger in Yosemite and Alaska. Now a geography professor at California’s Humboldt State University, he studies diverse landscapes around the world. He is the author of National Geographic’s Our Fifty States and How to Ace the National Geographic Bee: The Official Study Guide. For more than a decade, he directed the California Geographic Alliance, which promotes geographic education and literacy among California teachers, students, and the public. Stephen spent four years developing the Pamir National Park in eastern Tajikistan, which was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. He recently received the California State University system’s highest award for exemplary contributions and achievements in the Social and Behavioral Sciences and Public Service.

To purchase a copy of HOW TO ACE THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BEE, click the photo below:

I will be linking up this review on Booking Mama’s regular Saturday feature, Kid Konnection. This is a place for bloggers to share posts related to children’s and YA books. You will find spotlights, reviews, and sometimes even giveaways by clicking HERE, every Saturday.

Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase the book through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com.