Gregor the Overlander (Underland Chronicles Series #1)

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Overview

When 11-year-old Gregor and his two-year-old sister are pulled into a strange underground world, they trigger an epic battle involving men, bats, rats, cockroaches, and spiders while on a quest foretold by ancient prophecy.

When eleven-year-old Gregor and his two-year-old sister are pulled into a strange underground world, they trigger an epic battle involving men, bats, rats, cockroaches, and spiders while on a quest foretold by ...

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Gregor the Overlander (Underland Chronicles Series #1)

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More About This Book

Overview

When 11-year-old Gregor and his two-year-old sister are pulled into a strange underground world, they trigger an epic battle involving men, bats, rats, cockroaches, and spiders while on a quest foretold by ancient prophecy.

When eleven-year-old Gregor and his two-year-old sister are pulled into a strange underground world, they trigger an epic battle involving men, bats, rats, cockroaches, and spiders while on a quest foretold by ancient prophecy.

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  • The Underland Chronicles Series
    The Underland Chronicles Series  

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
In a cavernous world beneath New York City, humans who long ago emigrated from the "Overland" live side-by-side with super-intelligent bats and loyal giant cockroaches. In a charming tip of the literary hat, debut novelist Collins introduces her young heroes Gregor and his little sister Boots into a wonderland through a trip down a long hole-in this case, an opening in a wall of their apartment building's laundry room. While passionately trying to find a way back home, 11-year-old Gregor learns about the Underlanders, their history and their unusual customs. Before long, Vikus, the noble patriarch of the Underlanders, reveals to Gregor an ancient prophecy-and why he believes that the boy is the foretold "overland warrior," come to liberate them from the giant rats. The relationship between Gregor and two-year-old Boots embodies much of the book's charm, and Gregor himself grows up before readers' eyes. His love for his lost father factors heavily into his personality; in a stunning turn of events, he discovers the reason for the disappearance of his father-who also plays a role in the prophecy. Collins does a grand job of world-building, with a fine economy of words-no unnecessary details bog down either the setting or the invigorating story. In her world, a child singing "Patty-Cake" can change the course of history and a stoic rat can mourn the fact that although he is able to read, he cannot write because he has no thumb. Unlike Gregor who cannot wait to leave, readers will likely find it to be a fantastically engaging place. Ages 8-12. (Sept.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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, and Ages 9 to 12.
—Tina Gregory
VOYA
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, Wallace
School Library Journal
Gr 4-8-In this accessible, almost-cinematic fantasy, Gregor and his two-year-old sister fall into an amazing underground world. Taken in by people who have lived beneath the earth for centuries, the 11-year-old learns about the giant-sized talking creatures that also reside there, including bats, cockroaches, and vicious rats. Gregor just wants to get home, but a prophecy hints that he may be the "overlander" destined to save the humans from the warlike rodents. He is reluctant until he learns that his father, who disappeared from their New York City home a few years before, is a prisoner of the rats. Gregor is not an eager hero, but with common sense, quick thinking, and determination he grows into the role. His sister, who provides some comic relief, also plays a key part because of her ability to befriend creatures, especially the giant cockroaches. Plot threads unwind smoothly, and the pace of the book is just right. Exciting scenes and cliff-hanger chapters are balanced by decisions and interactions that drive the action. Gregor is not the most compelling figure at first, but as the story progresses he becomes more interesting, maturing through the challenges he faces. Supporting characters are generally engaging, particularly the enigmatic warrior rat that claims to support the protagonist's mission. This is an engrossing adventure for fantasy fans and for those new to the genre.-Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
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. (Fiction. 8-12)
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780439678131
  • Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
  • Publication date: 8/28/2004
  • Series: Underland Chronicles Series , #1
  • Pages: 320
  • Sales rank: 31,732
  • Age range: 8 - 12 Years
  • Product dimensions: 5.25 (w) x 7.55 (h) x 0.75 (d)

Meet the Author

Suzanne Collins
Suzanne Collins' debut novel, Gregor the Overlander, the first book in The Underland Chronicles, received wide praise both in the United States and abroad. The series has been a New York Times bestseller and received numerous accolades. Also a writer for children's television, Suzanne lives with her family in Connecticut.
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Table of Contents

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 782 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(525)

4 Star

(151)

3 Star

(64)

2 Star

(16)

1 Star

(26)

Your Rating:

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 787 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 18, 2009

    Outstanding Book

    Gregor the Overlander is a great tale of a secret underground world that a group of humans migrated to long ago. Gregor, a kid living in New York City, finds a gateway to this underground world, or underland in his apartment's laundry room. He and his sister Boots then enter a world of wonder, inhabited by giant cockroaches, bats, spiders, rats, and the humans. Upon his arrival, Gregor is taken to the human's city of Regalia, where he is informed of a quest he must take part in in order to find his dad, who vanished to the underland over two years ago. His dad is held a prisoner of the rats, and it is Gregor's job to rescue him and bring him back to New York City. This book does a fantastic job of portraying the setting and characters of this book. This book is sure to keep the reader's attention with it's intriguing plot and memorable characters, and is a book the reader will remember.

    47 out of 51 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted December 2, 2011

    Simply Spectacular

    I am a 43 year old mother of three adult children and I decided to read this book after finishing The Hunger Games series. While this book is geared toward a little younger audience, I loved reading every page. It's fun that the reader is easily able to follow the growth of each character and eventually realize why they are important to the story. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.

    37 out of 45 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted June 2, 2012

    I Also Recommend:

    Black Wood (A Witch Rising)

    I loved this book. It has a story I couldn't put down.

    I loved this book. It has a story I couldn't put down.

    34 out of 39 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 25, 2008

    A reviewer

    When i first saw the cover of this book it looked like this book would be wierd, but i read the book anyway because i had to so i could win a award for school. the minute i started reading the book i couldnt stop, because it was so good! I have read every book in this series. I hope that they make anpther sequel to this book!

    24 out of 27 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 1, 2012

    Great book

    I loved the whole series! It has a hard start but when you get in to it you will most likly love it! I would read for a 3erd time. If you like hunger games you will moat likely love this book. Highly recomed for 10-14 kids and adults to. If you like fantisy you will probley love this to i know sci-fi lovers who love this series! 5 stars!

    19 out of 24 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted January 1, 2012

    Good read for the recommended age

    I wanted to read this because I loved the Hunger Games series, and while I did like this book, as an adult, I think I could not appreciate it the way a child might. But, if I had a 10 year old boy, I would buy it for them.

    13 out of 17 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 27, 2011

    Great

    This was a great series. After reading The Hunger Games I wanted more and this series definitely did not disappoint.

    12 out of 14 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 20, 2012

    Great book!

    I read, so far, the first three books. Amazing!! I have to say, this is the best author EVER!!! It's absolutely great! Suzanne Collins is my favorite author, no doubt! 5/5 stars! I was a little skeptical about this book at first... the cover wasn't very appealing. But, I decided, since Suzanne Collins made the awesome Hunger Games, to give it a try. Guys and girls, DO NOT JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER! NEVER! I love this series so far, and I'll most likely end up reading it a second time this summer, along with The Hunger Games. They are both AMAZING series. I just love it.

    5/5 star rating.
    --RECOMMEND!--

    9 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 6, 2008

    Greatest Book Ever!!!!

    I really recommend the underland series for every person on Earth! ! ! ! !

    9 out of 20 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 1, 2008

    BEST BOOK EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    this book is very adventerous and exciting I've read the book ten times and it just gets better and better!

    9 out of 15 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 2, 2012

    Good

    Even though these were written for children, I highly enjoyed them! I plan on purchasing these books for my nieces and nephew. I have nook tablet and they dont have ereader yet, so Ill buy them the paperbacks. So happy. I got them the Maximum Override books by James Patterson and they devoured them, so I know they will love to read about Gregor and his adventures! Highly recommend for 8-18 year olds. Why then just the 3 stars? Because nowhere does it specify these are for young adults or even children.

    6 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 11, 2012

    Freaking awesome

    So good. Wonderful story.

    6 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 27, 2012

    Awsome

    Well worth the money. I would give it (**********************************************************************************************************************************************************)this many stars

    5 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 16, 2012

    Is this book good?

    I just gave it five stars because the same author made the hunger games and i love the hunger games

    5 out of 31 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 26, 2012

    Okay

    HELLO READ THIS!!! READ IT PLEASE!Well you see i have been craving the hunger game series. As i was saving up money for the third book i needed something to read. I was looking at other books suzanne wrote and i stepped upon the gregor series. It looked kind of kiddish. (And i am a kid.) Im 11. Well i needed something to read and i heard 6th graaders liked this book. So i pick it up and start reading. SO FAR ITS AMAZING!!!! Its a good book.

    4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 1, 2012

    AMAZIMG!!!!

    I dont know what those people who put 1 star are thinking. So let me tell you, those people are flat out WRONG. Gregor has a good plot, easy to read, and has a character we can all relate to. I would highly recommemd this book. I believe it is up to par with the Hunger Games.

    4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted February 20, 2012

    Zoe's Book Reviews

    I love this book so much with the giant bugs, the bats and the idea of a underground city. Luxa is my favorite character. It would be awesome if I could ride a bat.

    Gregor and his sister Boots find themselves falling into a sticky situation when they fall through the basement of they're apartment where the meet the crawlers or as we call hem cockroaches and not the normal tiny ones cockroaches that are four feet tall. The cockroaches take them to the arena where they meet Luxa. Luxa takes them to the prophecy room where Gregor learns that he must go on a quest.

    This is a wonderful book that evreyone can enjoy. Suzanne Collins has an amazing imagination that she used to write the book, the first in the book in the Underland Chronicles.

    4 out of 16 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted November 14, 2011

    Things that descibe this book

    1) Awesome
    2) Funny
    3) Scary in a good way.
    4) Adventureous
    THINGS I JUST WANT TO SAY FOR GREGOR AND THE GANG

    Go Gregor. Go super cute Boots. Nice meeting you Luxa. You're awesome Vikus and Solovet. You others guys I forgot rock!

    SOMETHING ELSE: If you like totallu agree with my stuff up there than say I AGREE WITH ALLY C.


    4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 30, 2008

    My review

    I thought book was good thats why I rated it outstanding. If your into fantasy books then this is your kind of book.

    4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 29, 2012

    Just read this

    This book is amazing. Period. Sorry if you dont like it but dont say its bad. Some people say it wasnt as good as the hunger games but i personally didnt like the hunger game as much as this. The plot twists are perfect, the languague is descriptive, the word choices are

    3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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