Maps and Geography (Ken Jennings’ Junior Genius Guides)
#1 in Ken Jennings’ Junior Genius Guides Series
What’s inside...
Ken Jennings, famed Jeopardy! champion, turns tour-guide in this first Junior Genius Guide, leading readers through the fascinating world of cartography, extreme locales, and global trivia. Packed with jokes, sidebars, and lively illustrations by Mike Lowery, the book explains map keys, ancient charts, GPS satellites, and record-breaking places while encouraging children to think like explorers. The result is an engaging, fact-rich journey that turns geography class into globe-trotting fun and empowers kids to decode the world around them.
Discussion points
Which extreme location would you most like to visit and why?
How do political borders affect the people who live near them?
What surprises you most about ancient maps compared to modern GPS?
How can we use maps to solve problems in our community?
Tip: Role play these questions
Spread a world map on the table and locate relatives' countries.
Plan an imaginary journey using the book's map skills.
Compare weather across continents to highlight climate zones.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Curiosity drives discovery
Explanation: Every chapter begins with a question that launches a new exploration.
Real-World Application: Kids can ask questions about their own neighborhood and research answers.
Example Lesson: Tools make tasks easier
Explanation: The book shows how GPS revolutionized navigation.
Real-World Application: Children learn to use map apps responsibly and critically.
Example Lesson: The Earth is interconnected
Explanation: Climate, culture, and borders appear in relation to each other on maps.
Real-World Application: Promotes empathy toward people living in different environments.
Example Lesson: Practice builds expertise
Explanation: DIY mapping exercises let kids improve with repetition.
Real-World Application: Encourages persistence in mastering new school subjects.