Gregor the Overlander

Title: Gregor the Overlander

Author: Suzanne Collins

Target Age: 10-13

Genre: Fantasy, Action/Adventure

Gregor the Overlander introduces the reader to a world called the Underland. Book 1 in The Underland Chronicles, Gregor a quiet 11 year old, follows his sister Boots into an underground world when she falls through the air vent in their apartment in New York City. He finds himself hurling through never ending darkness and finally to the dark world of rodents and insects miles under the city. Although Boots is excited about the new world, Gregor wans to escape and return. The Underlanders reveal information that compels Gregor to continue on his quest: the prophesy that he is the great warrior and his father who had disappeared has been taken prisoner of the rats in the Underland. Bursting with suspense, action, and adventure, this thrilling series begins an epic fantasy with bizarre creatures, dream-like settings, and amazing skills. Follow Gregor on his quest of good versus evil to rescue his father in a strange world of bloodthirsty rats who are at war against the Underlanders.

 

This book series is perfect for pre-teen readers unsure of the future but compelled to continue almost blindfolded into the strange world of young adulthood. Although highly fantastical, readers can relate to the challenges of bravery and courage and recognize themes of war and overcoming evil. Teachers in intermediate levels can use this series as a read aloud to inspire greatness in their classrooms through discovery of the self.

 

 “You see, I tired of constant fear, so I made a decision. Every day when I wake I tell myself that it will be my last. If you are not trying to hold on to time, you are not so afraid of losing it.”  -Gregor

 

“Even if times got bad, he would never again deny himself the possibility that the future might be happy even if the present was painful. He would allow himself dreams.”   -Gregor

 

 



Discussion Questions

1. How would you react to falling into the Underland?
2. Would you try to escape the Underland?
3. What are some examples of familiar creatures and familiar settings found in the Underland?
4. Describe how the author uses fantasy versus realism.
5. What is the main theme in Book 1?
6. Describe the comparisons between the Overland and the Underland.
7. Determine the most monstrous character in the Underland.
8. Do you think that Gregor is a warrior? Why or Why not?

Motivational Activities

• Students will complete a literature circle/book club using Gregor the Overlander. Each student in the group will be responsible for a job or role: Summarizer, Vocabulary Finder, Question Writer, Story Mapper. The roles will rotate daily so that students are able to participate and discuss different aspects of the novel.
• Use a book critic response sheet and have students write a book recommendation for the book that will allow students to reflect upon the readings.
• Develop a powerpoint by assigning small groups to discuss the story elements: characters, settings, events, and theme.

About the Author:

Suzanne Collins was inspired to write her first novel while thinking one day about Alice in Wonderland. What would happen if a modern, urban child fell down a mysterious hole? Where would he or she end up? That was the genesis of Gregor the Overlander, the first book in her best-selling, five-part fantasy series for middle-grade readers: The Underland Chronicles.

Finish the Series:

Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane

Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods

Gregor and the Marks of Secret

Gregor and the Code of Claw

Other fantasy series for children:

Harry Potter

Chronicles of Narnia

Artemis Fowl

 

Collins, S. (2003). Gregor the Overlander. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.