Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins
In Gregor the Overlander Gregor follows his baby sister down a grate in the basement laundromat of their building. Far beneath the streets of New York City is a world of giant rats, cockroaches, spiders, bats, and a group of humans who entered this hidden world centuries ago. Life in the underland is dangerous and diplomacy keeps many of the groups working together or at least living together. The rats do not work for peaceful living; they are looking for total world domination.
How do Gregor and his sister fit into this world? Can they find their way home again?
Suzanne Collins has done a great job in sketching and filling this underworld. The political background doesn't have huge holes and the characters are substantial and interact in ways that feel real.
I have recommended this book to two sets of brothers ages 9-14, a 12 year old girl (who tells me that half her class is reading it - the other half are reading the next book I'll blog), and teachers of a 4-6th grade classroom and a 7-8th grade classroom.
How do Gregor and his sister fit into this world? Can they find their way home again?
Suzanne Collins has done a great job in sketching and filling this underworld. The political background doesn't have huge holes and the characters are substantial and interact in ways that feel real.
I have recommended this book to two sets of brothers ages 9-14, a 12 year old girl (who tells me that half her class is reading it - the other half are reading the next book I'll blog), and teachers of a 4-6th grade classroom and a 7-8th grade classroom.
# posted by JJ @ 5:13 PM 
