Review: Gregor the Overlander

By: Suzanne Collins

Scholastic Books; 2003; 320 Pages

Juvenile Fiction; Fantasy

Grades: 3-6

ISBN: 9-780-4394-3536-9

The story of Gregor and his two year old sister, Boots, who fall through a grate in their laundry room. The pair become wrapped up in a war and a quest in the Underland, a world populated by giant bats, rats, spiders, and a race of humans.

My Thoughts:
I thought that Collins did a great job of creating realistic and believable characters, especially since they were thrust into such extraordinary and fantastic situations and settings. The main characters: Gregor, Boots, and Luxa all have their own skills that make them valuable, but they are all flawed in some way. I think that children will be able to identify with the fact that they do their best and try, even though they are not perfect. I also appreciated how Collins was able to take things that are far from appealing, and make them endearing. I cried when (spoiler alert) one of the cockroaches sacrificed himself for the good of the group. (Not that I am going to stop killing the little boogers when they invade my home...)

The book will especially appeal to boys. It has a male protagonist, is populated by creepy crawlies, and has action and violence. It is very fast paced, with chapters that are on the short side. It also doesn't pussy foot around violence and the consequences of war. People and things get hurt, and sometimes die. Sometimes the deaths/injuries are shown as being just and deserved, other times they are honorable and for the greater good, and sometimes they are pointless and sad. On the surface it has "boy book" written all over it. At the same time, Gregor is a caring and warm individual. The love and concern he shows for his little sister is a great example for growing kids. It proves you can be brave, and tough, and adventurous while still being loving, kind, and gentle. The balance of virtue and strength is great!

The Thoughts of Others:

Publisher's Weekly's 2003 review of the book admired Collins' technique and skill. They said that "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." They felt that the relationships were real, the pacing appropriate, and the characters believable.

Steven Engelfried reviewed the novel in 2003 for School Library Journal. He thought that it was a good book to introduce new readers to the fantasy genre. He also noted that the "Plot threads unwind smoothly [with] exciting scenes and cliff-hanger chapters ...balanced by decisions and interactions that drive the action."