Summary
Gregor and his young sister, called Boots,
are spending an average afternoon washing clothes in the laundry room when
Boots disappears into the vent. Gregor follows to get her back.
Somehow they both fall into another place. They are led by
crawlers, or roaches, to meet the underlanders. The underlanders feel
that Gregor was sent to them to fulfill a prophecy. Once Gregor finds out
that his father is possibly being held captive by rats.
Eventually they are able to rescue their long lost father and return
home, but not until defeating evil rats and saving other underland characters.
Bibliographic
Citation
Collins, S. (2004). Gregor the overlander.
Scholastic.
Personal
Impressions
While I usually don't enjoy
fantasy this book was a great read. The plot had many subplots but
by the end they all wrapped up together. The reader was really
drawn into the relationships established throughout the story,
especially that of Boots and the cockroaches. Her ability to change the
entire mission by remembering the roaches that everyone else is unable to
distinguish.
Reviews
Mary Jane
(BookHive (www.bookhive.org))
Gigantic cockroaches, ferocious rats and violet-eyed, bat-riding humans are just some of the strange creatures Gregor finds when he falls into the Underland. In his efforts to find a way home, he accidentally starts a war between humans and the rats. A mysterious prophecy foretells that he will lead a quest to stop the fighting, but not all of the questers will survive. Will Gregor live to see peace come to this land? Will he be betrayed? This exciting, fast-paced adventure will keep you guessing. Category: Adventure; Fantasy. Grade Level: Intermediate (4th-6th grade). 2003, Scholastic Press. Ages 9 to 12.
Gigantic cockroaches, ferocious rats and violet-eyed, bat-riding humans are just some of the strange creatures Gregor finds when he falls into the Underland. In his efforts to find a way home, he accidentally starts a war between humans and the rats. A mysterious prophecy foretells that he will lead a quest to stop the fighting, but not all of the questers will survive. Will Gregor live to see peace come to this land? Will he be betrayed? This exciting, fast-paced adventure will keep you guessing. Category: Adventure; Fantasy. Grade Level: Intermediate (4th-6th grade). 2003, Scholastic Press. Ages 9 to 12.
Ed Sullivan (Booklist, Nov.
15, 2003 (Vol. 100, No. 6))
What if Alice fell down an air vent in a New York City apartment building instead of down a rabbit hole? Collins considers a similar possibility in her exceptional debut novel, a well-written, fast-moving, action-packed fantasy. Eleven-year-old Gregor expects a long, boring summer of baby-sitting his two-year-old sister, Boots, and his senile grandmother. Distracted with thoughts about his father, who disappeared three years ago, Gregor belatedly notices that Boots has crawled into an air vent in the laundry room. He dives in after her, and the two are sucked downward into the Underland, a fantastic subterranean world of translucent-skinned, violet-eyed humans, and giant talking cockroaches, bats, spiders, and rats. Eventually, the terrified Gregor is transformed into a warrior hero who leads a successful battle against an army of invading rats and discovers his father, who has long been held prisoner by the enemy. Collins creates a fascinating, vivid, highly original world and a superb story to go along with it, and Gregor is endearing as a caring, responsible big brother who rises triumphantly to every challenge. This is sure to be a solid hit with young fantasy fans. Category: Books for Middle Readers--Fiction. 2003, Scholastic, $16.95. Gr. 4-7. Starred Review
What if Alice fell down an air vent in a New York City apartment building instead of down a rabbit hole? Collins considers a similar possibility in her exceptional debut novel, a well-written, fast-moving, action-packed fantasy. Eleven-year-old Gregor expects a long, boring summer of baby-sitting his two-year-old sister, Boots, and his senile grandmother. Distracted with thoughts about his father, who disappeared three years ago, Gregor belatedly notices that Boots has crawled into an air vent in the laundry room. He dives in after her, and the two are sucked downward into the Underland, a fantastic subterranean world of translucent-skinned, violet-eyed humans, and giant talking cockroaches, bats, spiders, and rats. Eventually, the terrified Gregor is transformed into a warrior hero who leads a successful battle against an army of invading rats and discovers his father, who has long been held prisoner by the enemy. Collins creates a fascinating, vivid, highly original world and a superb story to go along with it, and Gregor is endearing as a caring, responsible big brother who rises triumphantly to every challenge. This is sure to be a solid hit with young fantasy fans. Category: Books for Middle Readers--Fiction. 2003, Scholastic, $16.95. Gr. 4-7. Starred Review
Tina Gregory (Children's
Literature)
Gregor and his two-year-old sister, Boots, take a magical trip to the Underland. This under world is a place full of fanciful characters like flying bats, giant cockroaches called Crawlers, huge spiders and the dreaded and vicious oversized rats. Here in this fantasy world, Gregor comes to terms with his father's disappearance, and because of a mysterious prophesy, realizes he may be the next "Overland Warrior" of this mysterious world. The author bases her book on the relationships between the characters that Gregor meets in the Underland and Gregor's own journey of self-discovery. The author's ending is true to the fantasy she has created in the Underland, with hints regarding Gregor's next adventure there. For the most part, Collin's story is an adventurous read for young children. However, the novel lacks at certain points necessary descriptive details of the characters and settings. For instance, the descriptions of Regalia, the Underland city, and many of the book's characters should be so distinct that we visualize them. Overall, though, I recommend Collins's book to the young reader who loves fantasy and mystical reading adventures. 2003, Scholastic Press, $16.95 and $5.99. Ages 9 to 12.
Gregor and his two-year-old sister, Boots, take a magical trip to the Underland. This under world is a place full of fanciful characters like flying bats, giant cockroaches called Crawlers, huge spiders and the dreaded and vicious oversized rats. Here in this fantasy world, Gregor comes to terms with his father's disappearance, and because of a mysterious prophesy, realizes he may be the next "Overland Warrior" of this mysterious world. The author bases her book on the relationships between the characters that Gregor meets in the Underland and Gregor's own journey of self-discovery. The author's ending is true to the fantasy she has created in the Underland, with hints regarding Gregor's next adventure there. For the most part, Collin's story is an adventurous read for young children. However, the novel lacks at certain points necessary descriptive details of the characters and settings. For instance, the descriptions of Regalia, the Underland city, and many of the book's characters should be so distinct that we visualize them. Overall, though, I recommend Collins's book to the young reader who loves fantasy and mystical reading adventures. 2003, Scholastic Press, $16.95 and $5.99. Ages 9 to 12.
Kathleen Karr (Children's
Literature)
Gregor has become man of the family since his father's mysterious disappearance, so when his two-year-old sister Boots gets caught in their apartment building's laundry room vent, naturally he grabs frantically for her. And they both fall--like Alice--into the Underworld beneath New York City. Neil Shusterman's Downsiders created another alternate universe beneath New York's grates, but Collins's take is more classically fantasy-oriented. Gregor and Boots enter a world of pale humans, lovable giant cockroaches, and wickedly villainous rats--not to mention intelligent riding bats. Of course there is a prophecy which eleven-year-old Gregor is certain he's too young and weak to fulfill. There is also his missing father, much in need of rescue. Gregor is a cool-thinking, solid little hero, but his sister Boots almost steals the show. For Collins--who also writes for children's television--this is her first foray into books. She obviously knows her market well. It's a good, fast read filled with non-stop adventure and a satisfying dénouement. 2003, Scholastic, $16.95. Ages 10 to 14.
Gregor has become man of the family since his father's mysterious disappearance, so when his two-year-old sister Boots gets caught in their apartment building's laundry room vent, naturally he grabs frantically for her. And they both fall--like Alice--into the Underworld beneath New York City. Neil Shusterman's Downsiders created another alternate universe beneath New York's grates, but Collins's take is more classically fantasy-oriented. Gregor and Boots enter a world of pale humans, lovable giant cockroaches, and wickedly villainous rats--not to mention intelligent riding bats. Of course there is a prophecy which eleven-year-old Gregor is certain he's too young and weak to fulfill. There is also his missing father, much in need of rescue. Gregor is a cool-thinking, solid little hero, but his sister Boots almost steals the show. For Collins--who also writes for children's television--this is her first foray into books. She obviously knows her market well. It's a good, fast read filled with non-stop adventure and a satisfying dénouement. 2003, Scholastic, $16.95. Ages 10 to 14.
CCBC (Cooperative Children's
Book Center Choices, 2004)
Ever since his father's abrupt and unexplained departure two years earlier, Gregor has maintained a personal rule. He doesn't allow himself to think about his father returning. Imagining a future that includes his father makes his present reality without him too painful to bear. Abiding by this self-imposed law, Gregor moves listlessly through an uneventful life with his grandmother, mother and siblings in New York City as this novel opens. Uneventful, that is, until the day his two-year-old sister Boots disappears headfirst down an air duct in the laundry room. Without a second thought Gregor dives after her, and with this Alice-like plunge, enters the Underland, a subterranean world where communities of humans and oversize rats, bats, spiders, and cockroaches exist uneasily together. At first intent only on returning to the Overland, Gregor soon discovers that an ancient prophecy casts him as the central figure in a dangerous mission, one that may help him find his missing father. As war with the rats threatens the Underlanders' survival, Gregor and Boots, together with a contingent of humans, bats, cockroaches, spiders, and a renegade rat, set off on their preordained quest. The excitement of their exploits is nicely balanced with moments of down-to-earth humanity: Boots requires diaper changes, automatic loathing of cockroaches shouldn't be assumed, and a shaken can of root beer makes a convenient weapon. When Gregor does find his father, the man is physically unable to take charge, a scenario that requires Gregor to continue to think and act with responsibility. This well-conceived fantasy combines a traditional prophesy and quest structure with strikingly memorable characters, both human and otherwise. The concluding chapter sets the stage for a return to the Underland, a visit that we eagerly await! CCBC categories: Fiction for Children. 2003, Scholastic Press, 310 pages, $16.95. Ages 9-14.
Ever since his father's abrupt and unexplained departure two years earlier, Gregor has maintained a personal rule. He doesn't allow himself to think about his father returning. Imagining a future that includes his father makes his present reality without him too painful to bear. Abiding by this self-imposed law, Gregor moves listlessly through an uneventful life with his grandmother, mother and siblings in New York City as this novel opens. Uneventful, that is, until the day his two-year-old sister Boots disappears headfirst down an air duct in the laundry room. Without a second thought Gregor dives after her, and with this Alice-like plunge, enters the Underland, a subterranean world where communities of humans and oversize rats, bats, spiders, and cockroaches exist uneasily together. At first intent only on returning to the Overland, Gregor soon discovers that an ancient prophecy casts him as the central figure in a dangerous mission, one that may help him find his missing father. As war with the rats threatens the Underlanders' survival, Gregor and Boots, together with a contingent of humans, bats, cockroaches, spiders, and a renegade rat, set off on their preordained quest. The excitement of their exploits is nicely balanced with moments of down-to-earth humanity: Boots requires diaper changes, automatic loathing of cockroaches shouldn't be assumed, and a shaken can of root beer makes a convenient weapon. When Gregor does find his father, the man is physically unable to take charge, a scenario that requires Gregor to continue to think and act with responsibility. This well-conceived fantasy combines a traditional prophesy and quest structure with strikingly memorable characters, both human and otherwise. The concluding chapter sets the stage for a return to the Underland, a visit that we eagerly await! CCBC categories: Fiction for Children. 2003, Scholastic Press, 310 pages, $16.95. Ages 9-14.
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews,
August 1, 2003 (Vol. 71, No. 15))
Gregor's luminous, supremely absorbing quest takes place in a strange underground land of giant cockroaches, rideable bats, and violet-eyed humans. When his two-year-old sister Boots tumbles into an air duct in his building's laundry room, Gregor leaps after her and they fall, à la Alice, into another world. Gregor wants desperately to get home-until he hears that his father, who left Gregor heavy-hearted by disappearing two years ago, may be in Underland himself, kept prisoner by enormous, war-hungry rats. A coalition of creatures and royal humans is formed to rescue him, modeled after an ancient prophetic poem that has foretold Gregor's arrival and calls him the Overland Warrior. The abiding ache of Gregor's sadness is matched by his tender care for Boots. Creature depictions are soulful and the plot is riveting; Underland's dark, cavernous atmosphere is palpable. Explanation and subtlety balance perfectly. Wonderful. 2003, Scholastic, $16.95. Category: Fiction. Ages 8 to 12.
Gregor's luminous, supremely absorbing quest takes place in a strange underground land of giant cockroaches, rideable bats, and violet-eyed humans. When his two-year-old sister Boots tumbles into an air duct in his building's laundry room, Gregor leaps after her and they fall, à la Alice, into another world. Gregor wants desperately to get home-until he hears that his father, who left Gregor heavy-hearted by disappearing two years ago, may be in Underland himself, kept prisoner by enormous, war-hungry rats. A coalition of creatures and royal humans is formed to rescue him, modeled after an ancient prophetic poem that has foretold Gregor's arrival and calls him the Overland Warrior. The abiding ache of Gregor's sadness is matched by his tender care for Boots. Creature depictions are soulful and the plot is riveting; Underland's dark, cavernous atmosphere is palpable. Explanation and subtlety balance perfectly. Wonderful. 2003, Scholastic, $16.95. Category: Fiction. Ages 8 to 12.
StarredReview. © 2003 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Suzanne Manczuk (Library
Media Connection, February 2004)
One of the boy's earliest memories is of the bread and running. He doesn't even have a name until Uri, another "street" boy, names him Misha and fantasizes a Gypsy history for him. Before the Jackboots come to Warsaw, living with Uri and stealing food is easy. After the Jackboots come with their parades, their tanks, their punishments and their murders, Misha and Uri are herded into the ghetto along with the other Jews and undesirables. Misha is small enough to squeeze through an opening in the ghetto wall, and so he scavenges for himself, his friend Janina's family, and even the kindly Doctor at the orphanage. Spinelli's haunting and chilling narrative sees the events of the Nazi's World War II takeover of Warsaw, Poland, and the fate of the Jews of the ghetto through the eyes of this small child. Untouched by the knowledge of the Nazi's intent, Misha at first is uncomprehending of the monstrous evils that these men perpetrate. Two things come to symbolize hope for this lost child: the statues of angels on the headstones in the graveyard, a sign that God is somehow present in this world (the cover art); and the unlovely but enduring milkweed pods that, when broken, send delicate filigree white strands into the air that will somehow plant new growth on the barren earth. Brutally direct at times, Spinelli's story nonetheless is ultimately uplifting. An unforgettable novel. Highly Recommended. 2003, Knopf
One of the boy's earliest memories is of the bread and running. He doesn't even have a name until Uri, another "street" boy, names him Misha and fantasizes a Gypsy history for him. Before the Jackboots come to Warsaw, living with Uri and stealing food is easy. After the Jackboots come with their parades, their tanks, their punishments and their murders, Misha and Uri are herded into the ghetto along with the other Jews and undesirables. Misha is small enough to squeeze through an opening in the ghetto wall, and so he scavenges for himself, his friend Janina's family, and even the kindly Doctor at the orphanage. Spinelli's haunting and chilling narrative sees the events of the Nazi's World War II takeover of Warsaw, Poland, and the fate of the Jews of the ghetto through the eyes of this small child. Untouched by the knowledge of the Nazi's intent, Misha at first is uncomprehending of the monstrous evils that these men perpetrate. Two things come to symbolize hope for this lost child: the statues of angels on the headstones in the graveyard, a sign that God is somehow present in this world (the cover art); and the unlovely but enduring milkweed pods that, when broken, send delicate filigree white strands into the air that will somehow plant new growth on the barren earth. Brutally direct at times, Spinelli's story nonetheless is ultimately uplifting. An unforgettable novel. Highly Recommended. 2003, Knopf
(Random House), 208pp., $16.95 hc. Ages 12 up.
Vicki Arkoff (Midwest Book
Review, "Vicki's Bookshelf" column, September 2003)
When eleven-year-old Gregor follows his little sister, Boots, through a grate in the laundry room of their New York apartment building, he hurtles after her into the dark Underland beneath the city. In this parallel universe humans coexist uneasily with giant spiders, rats, bats and cockroaches but soon the fragile peace is about to shatter. Against his will, Gregor is drawn into the conflict between these creepy creatures. He just wants to get back home, until he learns that he might find his missing father if he goes along with a strange prophecy that names him as a future leader of the Underland. Gregorbegins his dangerous quest with only his wits, an old hard hat, and a dusty can of root beer. The journey ahead will change him and Underland forever. First time novelist Suzanne Collins does a lovely job creating and sustaining suspense in this middle grade fantasy. Like many classic fantasies before it, "Gregor The Overlander" takes place in a harrowing alternate world located in our own backyard, making the drama all the more exciting and believable. The first in a new fantasy trilogy, perhaps? Let's hope so. 2003, Scholastic Press, $16.95.
When eleven-year-old Gregor follows his little sister, Boots, through a grate in the laundry room of their New York apartment building, he hurtles after her into the dark Underland beneath the city. In this parallel universe humans coexist uneasily with giant spiders, rats, bats and cockroaches but soon the fragile peace is about to shatter. Against his will, Gregor is drawn into the conflict between these creepy creatures. He just wants to get back home, until he learns that he might find his missing father if he goes along with a strange prophecy that names him as a future leader of the Underland. Gregorbegins his dangerous quest with only his wits, an old hard hat, and a dusty can of root beer. The journey ahead will change him and Underland forever. First time novelist Suzanne Collins does a lovely job creating and sustaining suspense in this middle grade fantasy. Like many classic fantasies before it, "Gregor The Overlander" takes place in a harrowing alternate world located in our own backyard, making the drama all the more exciting and believable. The first in a new fantasy trilogy, perhaps? Let's hope so. 2003, Scholastic Press, $16.95.
Janice M. Del Negro (The
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, January 2004 (Vol. 57, No. 5))
Eleven-year-old Gregor follows his baby sister, Boots, down a shaft in their apartment-building laundry room and finds himself in a subterranean world on the brink of war. The siblings are found by the crawlers (giant sentient cockroaches) and traded to the humans (descendants of a founder who established the first below-ground colony) living in the underground city of Regalia. Gregor discovers he is prophesied to be a key player in the war between factions of Underlanders: humans, crawlers, and spinners (giant sentient spiders) vs. gnawers (giant sentient rats). The boy also discovers that his father, who disappeared nearly three years before, is held captive by the gnawers, and it is only with Gregor leading humans, roaches, spiders, and even one giant rat on a risk-filled quest to rescue his father that the prophecy can be fulfilled. Two-year-old Boots is a constant reminder of the Overland as well as a surprising asset: her generous and sunny nature embraces even the crawlers, who eventually come to worship her. The accoutrements of successful fantasy--a unique setting, a believable social hierarchy, and colorful but rounded characterizations--are here, and Collins makes the best of them. She firmly establishes both her characters and her world before sending her players on their dangerous path. Betrayals, revelations, and shifts of alliance keep the tension high, and the action is almost nonstop. There have been a number of fantasies about secret civilizations that exist beneath the streets of urban centers; this lively title is a splendid addition to the ranks. Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2004, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2003, Scholastic, 311p, $16.95. Grades 4-6.
Eleven-year-old Gregor follows his baby sister, Boots, down a shaft in their apartment-building laundry room and finds himself in a subterranean world on the brink of war. The siblings are found by the crawlers (giant sentient cockroaches) and traded to the humans (descendants of a founder who established the first below-ground colony) living in the underground city of Regalia. Gregor discovers he is prophesied to be a key player in the war between factions of Underlanders: humans, crawlers, and spinners (giant sentient spiders) vs. gnawers (giant sentient rats). The boy also discovers that his father, who disappeared nearly three years before, is held captive by the gnawers, and it is only with Gregor leading humans, roaches, spiders, and even one giant rat on a risk-filled quest to rescue his father that the prophecy can be fulfilled. Two-year-old Boots is a constant reminder of the Overland as well as a surprising asset: her generous and sunny nature embraces even the crawlers, who eventually come to worship her. The accoutrements of successful fantasy--a unique setting, a believable social hierarchy, and colorful but rounded characterizations--are here, and Collins makes the best of them. She firmly establishes both her characters and her world before sending her players on their dangerous path. Betrayals, revelations, and shifts of alliance keep the tension high, and the action is almost nonstop. There have been a number of fantasies about secret civilizations that exist beneath the streets of urban centers; this lively title is a splendid addition to the ranks. Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2004, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2003, Scholastic, 311p, $16.95. Grades 4-6.
Nancy K. Wallace (VOYA,
October 2003 (Vol. 26, No. 4))
Eleven-year-old Gregor anticipates a long, boring summer babysitting his two-year-old sister, Boots, and keeping an eye on Grandma, who has lost touch with reality, until he heads down to the cellar of his apartment building to do the laundry. He is distracted, thinking about his father, who disappeared almost three years ago, and just as he puts a load of clothes in the dryer, his sister crawls into an air vent. A strange wisp of steam curls around Boots and suddenly she is gone. Terrified, Gregor dives through the air shaft after her only to find himself falling endlessly down into a frightening and dangerous world inhabited by giant bats, cockroaches, and rats. Befriended by a group of humans, he finds that his arrival has been foretold and anticipated-Gregor alone possesses the power to defeat the rats and save the kingdom of Regalia. By championing Regalia's cause, he also fulfills his greatest desire: to find and rescue his father. As with Tad in Rebecca Rupp's The Waterstone (Candlewick, 2003/VOYA February 2003), this classic reluctant hero has his dreary, mundane life suddenly transformed by fantastic adventures. Gregor, an extremely responsible and endearing big brother, sets out to save the world with Boots in a backpack. His youth is tempted by danger, fear, and death, but in the end, he is triumphant, Regalia is saved, and his family is reunited. A refreshing combination of sensitive characters, innovative devices, and an unusual setting make this an appealing purchase for younger fantasy fans. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2003, Scholastic, 320p, $16.95. Ages 11 to 15.
Eleven-year-old Gregor anticipates a long, boring summer babysitting his two-year-old sister, Boots, and keeping an eye on Grandma, who has lost touch with reality, until he heads down to the cellar of his apartment building to do the laundry. He is distracted, thinking about his father, who disappeared almost three years ago, and just as he puts a load of clothes in the dryer, his sister crawls into an air vent. A strange wisp of steam curls around Boots and suddenly she is gone. Terrified, Gregor dives through the air shaft after her only to find himself falling endlessly down into a frightening and dangerous world inhabited by giant bats, cockroaches, and rats. Befriended by a group of humans, he finds that his arrival has been foretold and anticipated-Gregor alone possesses the power to defeat the rats and save the kingdom of Regalia. By championing Regalia's cause, he also fulfills his greatest desire: to find and rescue his father. As with Tad in Rebecca Rupp's The Waterstone (Candlewick, 2003/VOYA February 2003), this classic reluctant hero has his dreary, mundane life suddenly transformed by fantastic adventures. Gregor, an extremely responsible and endearing big brother, sets out to save the world with Boots in a backpack. His youth is tempted by danger, fear, and death, but in the end, he is triumphant, Regalia is saved, and his family is reunited. A refreshing combination of sensitive characters, innovative devices, and an unusual setting make this an appealing purchase for younger fantasy fans. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2003, Scholastic, 320p, $16.95. Ages 11 to 15.
Elementary
Library Uses
This would be a great read aloud for
fourth or fifth graders. It would also be great for a book club. By
reading this with reluctant readers it might lead them to reading the rest of
the series or similar titles.
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