The Daily Booktalk: #tbt: Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins. 310 p. Scholastic Inc., August, 2004. 9780439678131.

It's time for #tbt! Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins was published in 2004. It is the first in The Underland Chronicles series that eventually became five books. It is summertime and Gregor isn't looking forward to spending it babysitting his two-year-old sister, Boots and keeping an eye on his grandmother, who seems to be losing touch with reality. When Boots disappears through a grate in their apartment house laundry room, Gregor goes in after her. The two tumble downward into darkness and when they land, they find themselves in a city below New York City peopled by strange humans and giant rats and cockroachesl. Scary! Not only that, but the humans below seem to be expecting Gregor. There's a prophecy about a warrior from the Overland coming to rescue the Underland from the giant rats. Gregor is only eleven. How can he possibly be that warrior of prophecy? Terrific worldbuilding, memorable characters and adventure keep the reader turning pages and wanting the next book, Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane, asap!