Gregor the Overlander

ethhut - Gregor the overlander by Suzanne Collins is one of the best books I've read in awhile Protagonist: Gregor and boots antagonist: spiders . It starts with Gregor at the “tween” ages, and his 4 year old sister “Boots” playing in the laundry room when they for some strange reason fall through a grate in the corner and end up in this new world with rodents and insects as big as tall humans. Knowing Gregor, he wasn't confused, or even scared for that matter. As curious as curious could be, he searches this new world. And sure enough, it's inhabited with tall oversized humans. Soon after the meetup with these so called “humans.” Their placed on the backs of huge hairy cockroaches and sent to the “Regalia” . Gregor and boots later shake hand with the royal family of this underground city and are handed the prophecy . One conflict is when they unwillingly have to fight off spiders to fulfill the prophecy. The second conflict is when they find out their fate. The turning point I can't mention because it would give away the plot It states that the two overlanders and eight underlanders will venture to find the lost overlander with Luxa- the soon to be queen of the underworld. Will Luxa ripred the rat, a couple of spiders and all while riding bats, find the lost overlander Read Gregor the overlander to find out. I recommend this book because it keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Starred review from September 8, 2003
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.