Bibliography
Collins, S. (2003). Gregor the overlander. New York: Scholastic.
311 pages
Plot
Gregor is a young boy living with his mother, grandmother and two sisters in an apartment in Brooklyn. Since his father’s disappearance, Gregor has become the man of the house, taking care of his youngest sister, Margaret or Boots. However, when Boots falls into a hole at the laundry mat, Gregor is forced to follow, finally landing in Underworld. The Underworld consists of a tentative alliance between the humans, rats, crawlers, and spiders. There, Gregor learns of the Prophecy of Grey, where an unknown hero comes to save the Underworld from danger. Convinced that this warrior cannot mean him, Gregor refuses to go until he learns that his father may in fact be captured by the rats. Gregor decides that there is nothing to do but attempt to save his father.
Review
Gregor the Overlander is an exciting book about a young boy and his quest to protect his sister and find his father. The book includes various themes of loss, determination, prejudice, and openness to new ideas. As Collins’ first attempt as an author, the book has a polished feel, and a subtlety that allows the readers to think for themselves. Collins’ characterizations and choice of characters are interesting in that it allows readers to draw comparisons between our own conceptions of animals like cockroaches, rats, spiders and bats to that of those living in Underworld. While some of the comparisons ring true, others are thrown completely upside-down as Collins draws you in.
Genre
Fantasy
Reading Level/Interest Level
This book would appeal to readers in grades 5-7.
Similar Content
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Personal thoughts
I really liked this book. While I was reading it, it really reminded me of Tolkien, specifically, The Hobbit. Collins’ writing has that dry humor that makes fun of characters usually in a subtle and intelligent way. The book is nothing like the Hunger Games, and yet I can see her style prevail in both series.
Subjects/themes
Family
Prejudice
Collins, S. (2003). Gregor the overlander. New York: Scholastic.
311 pages
Plot
Gregor is a young boy living with his mother, grandmother and two sisters in an apartment in Brooklyn. Since his father’s disappearance, Gregor has become the man of the house, taking care of his youngest sister, Margaret or Boots. However, when Boots falls into a hole at the laundry mat, Gregor is forced to follow, finally landing in Underworld. The Underworld consists of a tentative alliance between the humans, rats, crawlers, and spiders. There, Gregor learns of the Prophecy of Grey, where an unknown hero comes to save the Underworld from danger. Convinced that this warrior cannot mean him, Gregor refuses to go until he learns that his father may in fact be captured by the rats. Gregor decides that there is nothing to do but attempt to save his father.
Review
Gregor the Overlander is an exciting book about a young boy and his quest to protect his sister and find his father. The book includes various themes of loss, determination, prejudice, and openness to new ideas. As Collins’ first attempt as an author, the book has a polished feel, and a subtlety that allows the readers to think for themselves. Collins’ characterizations and choice of characters are interesting in that it allows readers to draw comparisons between our own conceptions of animals like cockroaches, rats, spiders and bats to that of those living in Underworld. While some of the comparisons ring true, others are thrown completely upside-down as Collins draws you in.
Genre
Fantasy
Reading Level/Interest Level
This book would appeal to readers in grades 5-7.
Similar Content
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Personal thoughts
I really liked this book. While I was reading it, it really reminded me of Tolkien, specifically, The Hobbit. Collins’ writing has that dry humor that makes fun of characters usually in a subtle and intelligent way. The book is nothing like the Hunger Games, and yet I can see her style prevail in both series.
Subjects/themes
Family
Prejudice
Courage
Adventure
Quest
Awards
Massachusetts Children's Book Award Honor Book, 2006
Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award, 2006
NAIBA Book of the Year Award, 2004
Series information
This is the first book of five.
Character names/descriptions
Gregor: The 12 year old protagonist who falls into Underworld while trying to protect his sister, Boots.
Boots: Gregor’s 2 year old sister, who becomes invaluable in his journey in Underland.
Luxa: The next Queen of the Underlanders. Gregor’s age, Luxa is bound to protect the Underlanders while learning how best to be their future queen.
Ripred: A rat who leads the group to help save Gregor’s father.
Annotation
Beware Underlanders time hangs by a tread, the hunters are hunted white waters run red. The gnawers will strike to extinguish the rest, the hope of the hopeless depends on a quest.
(The first two lines of the Prophecy of Grey)
Adventure
Quest
Awards
Massachusetts Children's Book Award Honor Book, 2006
Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award, 2006
NAIBA Book of the Year Award, 2004
Series information
This is the first book of five.
Character names/descriptions
Gregor: The 12 year old protagonist who falls into Underworld while trying to protect his sister, Boots.
Boots: Gregor’s 2 year old sister, who becomes invaluable in his journey in Underland.
Luxa: The next Queen of the Underlanders. Gregor’s age, Luxa is bound to protect the Underlanders while learning how best to be their future queen.
Ripred: A rat who leads the group to help save Gregor’s father.
Annotation
Beware Underlanders time hangs by a tread, the hunters are hunted white waters run red. The gnawers will strike to extinguish the rest, the hope of the hopeless depends on a quest.
(The first two lines of the Prophecy of Grey)
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