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337th out of 340 books
—
552 voters
The Game of Sunken Places (Norumbegan Quartet #1)
"Jazzier than Susan Cooper, funnier than Philip Pullman, this is a highly original and enormously entertaining read"--New York Times Book Review.
When Brian and Gregory receive an invitation to stay at a distant relative's strange manse . . . well, they should know better than to go, since this is a middle-grade adventure novel. But they go anyway. Why not? Once there, they...more
When Brian and Gregory receive an invitation to stay at a distant relative's strange manse . . . well, they should know better than to go, since this is a middle-grade adventure novel. But they go anyway. Why not? Once there, they...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
September 1st 2005
by Scholastic Paperbacks
(first published July 1st 2004)
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I really, really enjoyed this book. I loved how it was unpredictable and I never knew what would happen next, or just what kind of a book it was. And, I really loved the characters of Brian and Kalgrash. The only thing I didn't like was part of the ending, but I still found the book funny, intriguing, suspenseful, surprising, and, at times, tragic and scary.
I listened to this on tape, and much of my enjoyment came from the narrator's wonderful ability to put so much personality into the differen...more
I listened to this on tape, and much of my enjoyment came from the narrator's wonderful ability to put so much personality into the differen...more
M.T. ANDERSON
AUDIO BOOK
Gregory has received an invitation from his Uncle Max to stay at his house in Vermont, and to bring "a companion." When they arrive, they find themselves trapped in some sort of bizarre Victorian flashback, and then pulled into the game of sunken places. Battling for the freedom of the people of Norumbega, Gregory and his best friend Brian encounter trolls and ogres and a growing string of people who think Brian is a coward. But the game of sunken places is a game in which...more
AUDIO BOOK
Gregory has received an invitation from his Uncle Max to stay at his house in Vermont, and to bring "a companion." When they arrive, they find themselves trapped in some sort of bizarre Victorian flashback, and then pulled into the game of sunken places. Battling for the freedom of the people of Norumbega, Gregory and his best friend Brian encounter trolls and ogres and a growing string of people who think Brian is a coward. But the game of sunken places is a game in which...more
M.T. ANDERSON/ FANTASY
In this fantasy novel, two boys, Brian and Gregory, go to visit Gregory's Uncle Max. Before they even arrive, someone warns them not to go there because they will never come back. Uncle Ma is a strange character. His mansion is huge and very aristocratic looking, along with Uncle Max's persona. As the boys are in the nursery, they find a board game called "The Game of Sunken Places" and start playing. They soon realize that it is a real life game. (Think Jumanji). They go o...more
In this fantasy novel, two boys, Brian and Gregory, go to visit Gregory's Uncle Max. Before they even arrive, someone warns them not to go there because they will never come back. Uncle Ma is a strange character. His mansion is huge and very aristocratic looking, along with Uncle Max's persona. As the boys are in the nursery, they find a board game called "The Game of Sunken Places" and start playing. They soon realize that it is a real life game. (Think Jumanji). They go o...more
I discovered this series because Anderson came out with the final installment recently. It promises to be a fantasy series that engages and challenges middle readers. Plus it is a wonderful way to introduce younger readers to M.T. Anderson--one of today's preeminent YA authors. Originally written as a stand-alone novel in 2004, Anderson came back in 2010-2012 to publish three more novels composing the Norumbegan Quartet. I expect these novels to be stronger than the first, but "The Game of Sunke...more
Despite some wildly funny lines and an unusual setting, not enough of this story worked well enough to make it a very enjoyable read. The basic problem is one many "boy" adventure books have: the main character (or here, characters) have plenty of opponents, but we never know what their motivation is, other than a vague notion that games are cool, even ones that threaten your life, and ought to be played just, well, cuz. Their relationship doesn't change, and the only place in the story where th...more
This was a fantasy novel by M.T. Anderson, a YA author that I have never read before. I will say that this book dragged a little for me, but I think that was more due to the fact that I didn't really have time to give it the attention that it deserved, so I think that might have been part of the problem--starting and stopping so sporadically. I thought that the concept was really fun and that kids would probably love it. It is about two friends who go to visit one of the boys' great-uncle at his...more
I like Anderson's writing; I like his style; his descriptions are quite interesting; the story did not live up to its parts. Perhaps at another time I might read this story and be enchanted; this time, not so much.
Two boys, quite different are best friends. When Gregory receives an invitation from an "adopted" uncle to visit him in Vermont during vacation, he asks Brian to accompany him. Uncle Max is a real character who takes the boys' clothes away from them and dresses them according to his...more
Two boys, quite different are best friends. When Gregory receives an invitation from an "adopted" uncle to visit him in Vermont during vacation, he asks Brian to accompany him. Uncle Max is a real character who takes the boys' clothes away from them and dresses them according to his...more
Jun 29, 2011
Lisa
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
young-adult,
perfect-for-autumn
"To all those authors who showed me that evil could be fought while on vacation, wearing knee socks," reads the dedication at the front of M. T. Anderson's The Game of Sunken Places. Indeed, The Game is written in the vein of a classic children's adventure novel: two thirteen year-old best friends, Brian & Gregory, receive an invitation to spend two weeks at the sprawling, secluded mansion of Gregory's uncle in Vermont. Shortly after arriving, the boys find themselves forced into playing a r...more
M.T. Anderson--Fantasy Fiction
Brian and Gregory take their Holiday at Gregory's Uncle's mansion (however, the actual relation is somewhat debatable). When Brian and Gregory get there they find themselves transported into a time when denim and video games are unheard of. Forced to wear bloomers, the boys search the house to find a means to entertain themselves. They then come across a board game that seems a little bit more real than would be expected.The board game soon starts to come alive in r...more
Brian and Gregory take their Holiday at Gregory's Uncle's mansion (however, the actual relation is somewhat debatable). When Brian and Gregory get there they find themselves transported into a time when denim and video games are unheard of. Forced to wear bloomers, the boys search the house to find a means to entertain themselves. They then come across a board game that seems a little bit more real than would be expected.The board game soon starts to come alive in r...more
Brian and Gregory are surprised when their Uncle Max invites them to stay at his creepy, old mansion. After all, they don’t really know the man, and he really doesn’t seem to know them. Brian and Gregory are bored until they find an odd game that they sort of start to play. Pretty soon they realize that the game is real, and that there’s more at stake than just winning a game. As the adventures become more dangerous, and the game more intense, Brian and Gregory aren’t sure they’re going to survi...more
Reviewed by Rusty Key Writer: Jordan B. Nielsen
Recommended for: There’s nothing in particular to exclude girls from this book, but it’s likely better suited to boys with its tendency to skip past all that boring emotional and character development business and get right into the action. Ages 10 and Up
One Word Summary: Messy.
It was Anton Chekhov who said, “If you say in the first chapter that there is a rifle hanging on the wall, in the second or third chapter it absolutely must go off. If it's...more
Recommended for: There’s nothing in particular to exclude girls from this book, but it’s likely better suited to boys with its tendency to skip past all that boring emotional and character development business and get right into the action. Ages 10 and Up
One Word Summary: Messy.
It was Anton Chekhov who said, “If you say in the first chapter that there is a rifle hanging on the wall, in the second or third chapter it absolutely must go off. If it's...more
M. T. Anderson- The Game of Sunken Places (Scholastic Inc. 2004) 3.5 Stars
This book seems like an interesting mixture of Jumanji and Lord of the Rings, or even Narnia. Brian and Gregory get and invitation in the mail to go to an Uncle’s mansion for a couple of weeks. Little do they know just how strange this mansion is and how odd their relative is. Something weird is going on and the young boys seem to be trapped in the middle of it, if only they knew what ‘it’ was. An adventure is in store wh...more
This book seems like an interesting mixture of Jumanji and Lord of the Rings, or even Narnia. Brian and Gregory get and invitation in the mail to go to an Uncle’s mansion for a couple of weeks. Little do they know just how strange this mansion is and how odd their relative is. Something weird is going on and the young boys seem to be trapped in the middle of it, if only they knew what ‘it’ was. An adventure is in store wh...more
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Not my favorite M.T. Anderson, but then ... what could top the Octavian Nothing books? As it is, The Game of Sunken Places is a fun, quick read. It's classic Anderson, with complex characters and tons of imagination; a hint of sci-fi mixed with a splash of historical fiction and a fairly dark view of fate.
This book features two friends--Brian and Gregory--who end up unwittingly participating in a game with a high-stakes outcome for a range of otherworldly creatures. Anderson's characters develo...more
This book features two friends--Brian and Gregory--who end up unwittingly participating in a game with a high-stakes outcome for a range of otherworldly creatures. Anderson's characters develo...more
The Game of Sunken Places by M.T. Anderson Fantasy/Games/Friendship
Rating: 4/5 stars
This book is like a cross between Jumanji and Fablehaven. Two boys, Brian and Gregory, who go to Gregory's uncle's house for a vacation. The house is an old Victorian model and Brian and Gregory are forced to wear clothing from the Victorian time period. One day while exploring the house they discover a board game entitled "The Game of Sunken Places". About the same time they discover the game, they discover th...more
Rating: 4/5 stars
This book is like a cross between Jumanji and Fablehaven. Two boys, Brian and Gregory, who go to Gregory's uncle's house for a vacation. The house is an old Victorian model and Brian and Gregory are forced to wear clothing from the Victorian time period. One day while exploring the house they discover a board game entitled "The Game of Sunken Places". About the same time they discover the game, they discover th...more
adventure/low fantasy
When Gregory and Brian go up to Vermont to visit Gregory's Uncle Max, they have no idea what lies in wait for this trip. Puzzled by Uncle Max's many eccentricities, they start to explore and house and grounds. They eventually realize that they're playing a game, The Game of Sunken Places, and have to solve riddles and make it past trolls and ogres in their attempts to beat the creepy Jack Stimple. As they play, they become more aware of the dangerous nature of the game, and...more
When Gregory and Brian go up to Vermont to visit Gregory's Uncle Max, they have no idea what lies in wait for this trip. Puzzled by Uncle Max's many eccentricities, they start to explore and house and grounds. They eventually realize that they're playing a game, The Game of Sunken Places, and have to solve riddles and make it past trolls and ogres in their attempts to beat the creepy Jack Stimple. As they play, they become more aware of the dangerous nature of the game, and...more
Aug 03, 2011
Jasmine Rose
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2011-books-read
The first thing that drew me into this book was the premise. It sounded a bit like Jumanji what with the board game adventure and all. It turned out quite similar to that, but much darker. I was impressed with the story line itself, but sadly, everything else was a bit unremarkable.
The characters weren't all that memorable. Gregory was sadly pretty flat for a main character. He was all about being the "easy-going funny guy" and that was basically the end of his personality. Brian seemed to most...more
The characters weren't all that memorable. Gregory was sadly pretty flat for a main character. He was all about being the "easy-going funny guy" and that was basically the end of his personality. Brian seemed to most...more
I was surpised by some of the low reviews for this book, because I thought it was very well written. I think some of the problem is that M.T. Anderson is such a diverse author. The two other books I've read by him are nothing like this one, so if readers had expectations, they might have been disappointed.
Gregory and Brian travel to the back woods of Vermont to spend fall break with Gregory's distant relative. They stumble upon a strange board game in the mansion nursery and soon find themselves...more
Gregory and Brian travel to the back woods of Vermont to spend fall break with Gregory's distant relative. They stumble upon a strange board game in the mansion nursery and soon find themselves...more
M.T. ANDERSON - FANTASY
This book is about Brian and Gregory's adventure on a weekend off from school. They go to Gregory’s Uncle Max’s house and are part of a fantastic game involving two ancient, hidden civilizations. As part of the game they have to figure out clues and are put in considerable danger. There were suspenseful moments, clever twists at the end, and interesting characters.
I listened to this book on CD, and didn’t like the reader at all. I think that as a huge part of why I wasn’t...more
This book is about Brian and Gregory's adventure on a weekend off from school. They go to Gregory’s Uncle Max’s house and are part of a fantastic game involving two ancient, hidden civilizations. As part of the game they have to figure out clues and are put in considerable danger. There were suspenseful moments, clever twists at the end, and interesting characters.
I listened to this book on CD, and didn’t like the reader at all. I think that as a huge part of why I wasn’t...more
Brian and Gregory, two 13-year-old friends, take a vacation to meet Gregory's Uncle Max, a very strange and mysterious man, living in an old mansion surrounded by a dark forest. At this spooky old mansion the boys soon discover The Game of Sunken Places, a board game that is real. The two friends become players in a life or death adventure with evil characters from other worlds lurking in the forest. The warring kingdom includes dangerous trolls, monsters, and elves wielding some pretty serious...more
This was a fantasy novel by M.T. Anderson, and it looked like it was written for about 8th graders.
Brian and Gregory are invited to Gregory's uncle's house where they discover a game that is not just a board game, but includes the forest (and what is hidden underneath) around Uncle's house. They are caught in between two races who are competing against each other.
I first thought that this book was almost like a Jumanji book, but it is kind of the opposite. Instead of the game coming to life, tru...more
Brian and Gregory are invited to Gregory's uncle's house where they discover a game that is not just a board game, but includes the forest (and what is hidden underneath) around Uncle's house. They are caught in between two races who are competing against each other.
I first thought that this book was almost like a Jumanji book, but it is kind of the opposite. Instead of the game coming to life, tru...more
Gregory is invited by his distant relative (Uncle Max) to bring a friend (Brian) to come visit his house in Vermont. Oddly, the boys are on school break in October, and decide to go. They travel by train, and have their first encounter with something odd on the train, a man named Jack Stimple who knows who they are even though they've never met. Once the boys arrive at the manse, they are told they must dress in old-fashioned clothes, which they accept without much hesitation. The clothes they t...more
The Game of Sunken Places Adventure/Mystery/Fantasy
Gregory has a creepy uncle - there's one in every family. Well, the uncle is only his "adopted" uncle, but this guy is eccentric. He lives in the woods in a huge mansion, uses gas lamps instead of electricity, dresses in turn-of-the-century clothing, and insists all his staff and guests dress just like him. When Gregory takes his friend Brian for a little visit to eccentric uncle, the boys notice there's more than fashion that's weird about this...more
Gregory has a creepy uncle - there's one in every family. Well, the uncle is only his "adopted" uncle, but this guy is eccentric. He lives in the woods in a huge mansion, uses gas lamps instead of electricity, dresses in turn-of-the-century clothing, and insists all his staff and guests dress just like him. When Gregory takes his friend Brian for a little visit to eccentric uncle, the boys notice there's more than fashion that's weird about this...more
Fantasy/Mystery/Adventure
Two boys set our for a summer vacation at the home of Uncle Max, who is really only an uncle through adoption. He lives as if it were the 1800s. The boys find Uncle Max's mansion, property, and lifestyle very curious. This curiousity leads them to a magical game that has them dealing with mystical creatures, new inventions, and family in a way they never imagined.
I really did not like this book. While the premise sounds interesting, the book is not. There are lots of dra...more
Two boys set our for a summer vacation at the home of Uncle Max, who is really only an uncle through adoption. He lives as if it were the 1800s. The boys find Uncle Max's mansion, property, and lifestyle very curious. This curiousity leads them to a magical game that has them dealing with mystical creatures, new inventions, and family in a way they never imagined.
I really did not like this book. While the premise sounds interesting, the book is not. There are lots of dra...more
REQUIRED AUTHOR M.T. ANDERSON
REQUIRED CATEGORY FANTASY
This book tells the adventure of Brian and Gregory when they go to visit Gregory's mysterious Uncle Max during spring break. They end up being dragged into a larger than life kind of "game" that will end up deciding the fate of an entire species of human. It's full of suspenseful moments, imaginative creatures, and of course adventure.
When I picked this book up, I felt pretty certain that I wouldn't like it. I didn't. It seemed very unorigin...more
REQUIRED CATEGORY FANTASY
This book tells the adventure of Brian and Gregory when they go to visit Gregory's mysterious Uncle Max during spring break. They end up being dragged into a larger than life kind of "game" that will end up deciding the fate of an entire species of human. It's full of suspenseful moments, imaginative creatures, and of course adventure.
When I picked this book up, I felt pretty certain that I wouldn't like it. I didn't. It seemed very unorigin...more
Perhaps one of my favorite books this entire semester, The Game of Sunken Places is wonderful! I was quite hesitant to read this book initially, thinking that it was everything that I would never choose when it comes to young-adult fiction: it is a fantasy, it has no love story, it has two boy protagonists, it is mystical and strange. I was in for a big surprise when after only a few pages I was hooked! M.T. Anderson is an incredible writer, and he spins the tale of boys Gregory and Brian who go...more
REQUIRED AUTHOR - M.T. ANDERSON
I was not a huge fan of this book. When I was in sixth grade, I remember my teacher assigning a creative writing project, and I think my story was essentially this story. Trolls, riddles, magic...I basically included everything this novel is. Brian and Gregory go to Gregory's mysterious uncle's house and are thrown in the middle of a magical game. They are forced to wear pantaloons (or whatever Victorian pants are called) and go through many adventures. It's fine t...more
I was not a huge fan of this book. When I was in sixth grade, I remember my teacher assigning a creative writing project, and I think my story was essentially this story. Trolls, riddles, magic...I basically included everything this novel is. Brian and Gregory go to Gregory's mysterious uncle's house and are thrown in the middle of a magical game. They are forced to wear pantaloons (or whatever Victorian pants are called) and go through many adventures. It's fine t...more
I really want another book by this author! "Sunken Places" is a great young-adult fantasy - don't be put off by the fact that your first reaction will be "This is Jumanji", because it isn't. The plot is great, original, and moves quickly.
Well, I picked up this book because David Levithan said in a Facebook post that he couldn't understand why Anderson's Norumbegan Quartet wasn't more popular. I like some of Anderson's books and didn't really get into others. So, why only 2 stars? The funny lines tripped up an interesting twisted plot so much that I couldn't figure out if this was an adventure or a comedy of errors. The boys weren't really interesting; the game's the thing, if you will. As if the witticisms weren't distracting en...more
Dec 09, 2009
Kristen
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Adolescent boys
Shelves:
english-420,
adolescent-lit
Genre/Category: Fantasy/Science Fiction/Friendship
Strange and somewhat difficult to follow, this novel would make a great read for teenage boys who love fantasy and science fiction. It is the story of two teenage boys, Brian and Gregory, who get invited to spend time with Gregory’s uncle in a mysterious mansion. Rather than a relaxing vacation, the boys find themselves in the middle of a complicated game where they are each players for two ancient groups of mystical creatures. As they face many...more
Strange and somewhat difficult to follow, this novel would make a great read for teenage boys who love fantasy and science fiction. It is the story of two teenage boys, Brian and Gregory, who get invited to spend time with Gregory’s uncle in a mysterious mansion. Rather than a relaxing vacation, the boys find themselves in the middle of a complicated game where they are each players for two ancient groups of mystical creatures. As they face many...more
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Matthew Tobin Anderson (M. T. Anderson), (1968- ) is an author, primarily of picture books for children and novels for young adults. Anderson lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
His picture books include Handel Who Knew What He Liked; Strange Mr. Satie; The Serpent Came to Gloucester; and Me, All Alone, at the End of the World. He has written such young adult books as Thirsty, Burger Wuss, Feed, The...more
More about M.T. Anderson...
His picture books include Handel Who Knew What He Liked; Strange Mr. Satie; The Serpent Came to Gloucester; and Me, All Alone, at the End of the World. He has written such young adult books as Thirsty, Burger Wuss, Feed, The...more
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Nov 14, 2007 08:53am
Nov 14, 2007 06:25pm