Gregor the Overlander
Book One in The Underland Chronicles
By Suzanne Collins
Scholastic Press
2003
Audio read by Paul Boehmer
Dedication:
Target Age Group: 9 years old and up
Must Read
Good Read
Should Read
Best Experienced: This book can best be experience by either reading the book or listening to the CD.
Synopsis
It’s the start of summer, and all the other kids in 11 year old Gregor’s neighborhood are going away to camp. Gregor has to stay home to take care of his 2 year old sister, Boots, and his aging grandmother while his mother works. His dad disappeared without a trace 2 years earlier.
Gregor takes Boots with him to do the laundry in his New York apartment’s basement. Boots sticks her head into an open grate and falls through. Gregor lunges for her, but he too falls into the dark. And falls, and falls and falls.
They land softly in a mysterious Underland, populated by giant, talking cockroaches, bats, rats, and of course, humans. The humans believe that Gregor and Boots have arrived to complete a quest as foretold in The Prophecy of Gray. Gregor just wants to go home so his mother doesn’t have to worry.
But then, something happens that changes Gregor’s mind. Gregor discovers information that makes him desperate to complete the quest. And so the adventure begins.
Book Review
This is such a wonderful story, I’m surprised it hasn’t been made into a movie yet. It is the first book of The Underland Chronicles, all of which are creative, imaginative, and compelling.
Gregor the Overlander is told in close third person from Gregor’s perspective. What separates this book from others is Gregor’s care of his little sister, Boots. It’s not often that a 2 year old has center stage in an adventure book. But Boots is right there with Gregor, and Gregor does everything he can to keep her safe.
But this is only one aspect of the story. There is plenty of adventure, with flying bats, deadly rats, and giant cockroaches. Read this book, and the rest of The Underland Chronicles. You won’t regret it.
Audio Review
Paul Boehmer is the narrator in Gregor the Overlander, and the remainder of the stories in The Underland Chronicles. He brings these characters to life. If your family is taking a long trip in the car, I would highly recommend listening to this story. It is entertaining for the entire family.
Amazon Links
Gregor the Overlander: Books One in the Underland Chronicles Audio CD
Gregor The Overlander (Underland Chronicles) Paperback
Characters
Gregor – 11 years old, Gregor is our hero. He lives a normal life, runs track at school, helps his mom with his two younger sisters, and misses his dad. But when he falls into the Underland, he's anything but a normal kid.
Boots – 2 years old, Boots – whose real name is Margaret -- is Gregor’s baby sister. She trusts everyone, so when she first faces a giant cockroach, she’s eager to make friends with it.
Luxa – Also 11, Luxa is the queen of Regalia in the Underland. But she is not allowed to rule until she’s 16. Until then, Regalia is ruled by a Council, who wants to keep Luxa safe.
Henry – 16 years old, Henry is Luxa’s cousin, and next in line for the throne, if anything should happen to Luxa. He and Luxa are very close.
Aurora – Luxa’s giant bat. Like all the other creatures in the Underland, the bats are intelligent and can speak. Aurora is also Luxa’s bond, which means that Luxa and Aurora have sworn to defend each other and to keep each other safe in the often treacherous Underland.
Ares – Henry’s giant bat and bond. Ares is a very strong bat, with dark, black fur and very black eyes.
Vikus – The head of Regalia’s Council until Luxa turns 16. He’s known for his diplomatic ability, trying to negotiate peace and treaties with the other creatures in the Underland.
Ripred – A giant rat. Rats are the sworn enemy of the humans, but Ripred has agreed to help them in their quest.
Temp – A giant cockroach and one of the first creatures to meet Gregor and Boots when they fall into the Underland. To them, smelly diapers are most fragrant, and they immediately think that Boots is a princess.
Tick – Also a giant cockroach. Tick helps Temp take care of Boots.
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