NEW ONLINE BOOK CLUB LAUNCHED FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL READERS

WASHINGTON—The National Geographic Society has announced the launch of an online book club, National Geographic Book Club for Kids, as part of its new, nonfiction literacy campaign for students in grades 3-6.

The site at www.nationalgeographic.com/bookclub, made possible by a grant from MasterCard International, is a virtual resource center for National Geographic’s new nonfiction “Reading Expeditions” book series and many other books. It offers downloadable study guides, book previews, interactive teacher forums and book reviews written by children from around the world.

“Our goal in going online is to encourage children to build their reading skills and better comprehend social studies so that they can become informed citizens of the world,” said Ericka Markman, senior vice president of School Publishing at the Society. “MasterCard is helping us extend the reach of ‘Reading Expeditions’ to classrooms across the country.”

“National Geographic’s global, Web-based literacy initiative embraces our philanthropic focus on youth, education and technology,” said David Ruth, senior vice president, Global Communications at MasterCard International. “We’re also proud to support our local communities in encouraging students’ lifelong interest in reading and discovering the world.”

National Geographic Book Club for Kids encourages young people to have fun reading while providing them with solid educational materials. Students who join the club discover real-life adventures, exotic places and natural history through the pages of more than 50 books. Included are stories from National Geographic’s 30-title series, “Reading Expeditions,” as well as more than 20 well-known trade books on topics ranging from adventurous explorers to history buffs to world travelers, by authors such as John Hersey and Laura Ingalls Wilder. A further 30 titles will be added to the “Reading Expeditions” series next year.

The book club also gives students opportunities to create bookmarks and to submit book reviews to the Web site’s “Be a Star Reviewer” section. In addition, the site offers an online forum where educators can exchange teaching ideas and discuss innovative ways to incorporate new lesson plans into the classroom. The site links to additional interactive educational features and resources, such as the National Geographic Bee.

In addition to funding the site, MasterCard’s contribution also supports a pilot rollout of hardcover versions of “Reading Expeditions” in select classrooms in Westchester County, N.Y., Fairfield County, Conn., and St. Louis and its suburbs. The books will be used in conjunction with the online study guides available on the Web site.

The 113-year-old National Geographic Society, one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations, reaches nearly 200 million people each month through its magazines, books, maps, television and interactive media. The Society has funded more than 7,000 scientific research projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy.

MasterCard International has a comprehensive portfolio of well-known, widely accepted payment brands including MasterCard®, Cirrus® and Maestro®. More than 1.7 billion MasterCard, Cirrus and Maestro logos are present on credit, charge and debit cards in circulation today. An association comprised of more than 20,000 member financial institutions, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses, both large and small, in 210 countries and territories.

MasterCard is a leader in quality and innovation, offering a wide range of payment solutions in the virtual and traditional worlds. MasterCard’s award-winning Priceless® advertising campaign is now seen in 80 countries and in more than 36 languages, giving the MasterCard brand a truly global reach and scope. With more than 22 million acceptance locations, no card is accepted in more places and by more merchants than MasterCard. At June 30, 2001, gross dollar volume exceeded US$458 billion. MasterCard can be reached through its World Wide Web site at www.mastercard.com.

CONTACT:

Elisabeth Philippe
MasterCard International
(914) 249-1421
elisabeth_philippe@mastercard.com

Gabrielle Torello
(212) 431-6623
gab@rothenberg-pr.com

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