Gregor the Overlander

Collins, S. (2004). Gregor the Overlander.  NY: Scholastic.

     Gregor and the sad mystery of his father's disappearance offer a quick hook right away and as soon as he and his sister Boots fall into the Underland, there was hope that his father might be there too. Suzanne Collins has a great way of telling a story and each chapter is a mini-cliffhanger. The intense scenes are full of danger and mystery but are succinct, which is ideal for a young audience. Collins doesn't shy away from a little bit of gore, but its minor and brief enough to appease the squeamish reader. The complex characters and unpredictable plot make it a compelling read that will hook even the most mature reader. I must admit, I enjoyed this book much more than I imagined I would.   

Textbook Assignment #5 - Evaluation Criteria

Characters - The story opens with Gregor anticipating a long, dreadful summer trapped inside his tiny apartment babysitting his little sister and his grandma. One fateful trip to the laundry room and Gregor and his sister Boots are swept away to a strange place, the Underland. There they meet an array of creatures ranging from the kind, loyal cockroaches, known as crawlers, to the conniving, murderous rats. Gregor is presented to the humans of Underland and quickly has to decide who he can trust. He meets Luxa, the future queen, and is unimpressed by her haughty behavior. Her grandparents, Vikus and Solovet, offer a wise, trustworthy presence to the young, scared Gregor. So much of the conflict revolves around the unique personalities and character traits of both the creatures and humans. The personification of the rats, bats, spiders and roaches complicates the plot and gives greater depth to the quest, where the humans and creatures must work in harmony for their shared survival.

Style - Having read other books by Collins, her style in this book was quickly apparent. An unlikely hero thrust into a terrifying situation in order to save himself and his family. Many similarities in style can be made to The Hunger Games, including many unusual characters with equally unusual names. The protagonist has been left to face reality without a father and has had to grow up quickly in order to help out a grieving mother. Once in the Underworld, Gregor is unsure of his abilities, yet has gained the support and trust of those around him. The inclusion of an innocent little sister mixed with gory descriptions of death and violence certainly seem to strike a familiar chord. 

     One element that is distinctive to Collins is her placement of rising action events at the ends of nearly every chapter, making it difficult for a reader to find a “good stopping point.” There are many plot twists in her writing that typically surprise the main character and the reader equally. Finally, the protagonist’s unlikely return home closes out the story with the reader knowing full well that life will never be the same again for any of the characters returning from this alternate world.
Teaching Guide
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/gregor-overlander-storia-teaching-guide

Teaching Books link
http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=2853