Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins is an action‑packed fantasy adventure and the first book in The Underland Chronicles. The story follows Gregor, an eleven‑year‑old boy from New York City who unexpectedly falls through a grate in his apartment building’s laundry room and lands in the Underland, a vast, hidden world deep beneath the city.
In this strange subterranean realm, Gregor encounters giant bats, cockroaches, rats, spiders, and a colony of pale‑skinned humans who have lived underground for centuries. Gregor soon learns that his father, who disappeared two years earlier, is being held captive by the rats. Even more shocking, Gregor discovers that he is the warrior foretold in an ancient prophecy, a role that forces him into a dangerous quest to rescue his father and confront the rising conflict between humans and rats.
This epic fantasy is perfect for upper elementary and middle‑grade readers. Its themes of courage, loyalty, right and wrong, and the horrors of war make it ideal for teaching character development, symbolism, theme, and conflict.
⭐ Book Details
- Publication Date: September 1, 2003
- Reading Level: Lexile 690L • Guided Reading Level V (GE 4.9)
- Interest Level: Grades 4–7
- Awards: ALA Notable Children’s Recordings
- Length: 336 pages (approx. 102,480 words)
- Estimated Reading Time: About 6 hours and 49 minutes
- Audiobook Length: 6 hours and 33 minutes
- Genre: Epic Fantasy • Quest • First Book in a Series
- Setting: The Underland — a vast underground world beneath New York City
- Themes: Right vs. Wrong, Horrors of War, Family, Courage, Destiny
- Point of View: Third‑person limited (Gregor’s perspective)
- Memorable Quote: “If you are not trying to hold on to time, you are not so afraid of losing it.”
- First Line: “Gregor had pressed his forehead against the screen for so long, he could feel a pattern of tiny checks above his eyebrows.”
Gregor the Overlander Activities
Book Unit Samples
This sample contains the following:
- Comprehension for Chapters 1-3
- Constructed Response Question
Teaching Idea #1 ~ Comparing Two Books with Underground Settings
Underground settings have fascinated readers for many years, and some of the earliest literary works exploring this theme include Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864) and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865). Fast forward to contemporary literature, and we find captivating stories like The City of Ember and Gregor the Underlander.
The City of Ember is a great book compared to Gregor the Underlander. In one scene, Gregor attempts to flee the Underland by navigating a boat down the river. Despite the stark contrast in outcomes—Gregor’s journey ends in a fierce battle with rats—the resemblance to Doon and Lina’s escape from Ember is striking.
Further parallels between these two works can be drawn, highlighting shared thematic elements. To help students make comparisons, consider using this downloadable T-Chart as a resource for students engaging in these underground adventures.
Teaching Idea #2 ~ Mapping the Underland
Have students create a map of the Underland, the setting of the book. They can include important landmarks, such as Regalia and the various locations that Gregor visits throughout the story.
Here are some landmarks that could be included on a map of the Underland from the book:
Regalia: the capital city of the Underland, where the royal family lives and where the humans first arrive after falling through the grate
The Waterway: an underground river that runs through the Underland – Characters use the Waterway for transportation. The Waterway also serves as a major source of water for the inhabitants of the Underland.
The Dead Land: an area of the Underland that has been destroyed by volcanic activity – Few creatures live here, and those that do are adapted to the harsh conditions.
The Bat Cave: a massive cave system where bats live – It is a major hub of activity and serves as a gathering place for creatures from all over the Underland.
The Arena: an underground colosseum where battles are fought for entertainment – It is located in Regalia and is a popular attraction for both humans and creatures.
The Prophecy of Gray: a mysterious prophecy that predicts the coming of a warrior who will save the Underland -It is widely known and talked about among the creatures of the Underland.
Additional Subterranean Books
This story focuses on crimes by or against fairy-folk who live beneath the earth’s crust.
See the product that inspired this post.
Gregor the Overlander Novel Study includes vocabulary practice, comprehension questions, constructed response writing, and skill practice.
