For grades 8 & 9, my son is reading Richard Haliburton Book of Marvels as a spine. I added living books with it that are more modern. And I ask for a weekly written narration.
We also play a geography game weekly. 10 Days in Europe and 10 Days in Africa. These are oop now, but a fun way to learn the maps of the continents, if you can find one at a decent price. I wish we also had 10 Days in Asia. Any one want to sell me theirs?
There are other world geography games you could play in place of map drills. We also work geopuzzles periodically.