Great Middle Grade Reads discussion
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Gregor the Overlander
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BOTM for November - Gregor the Overlander
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I've got my copy and should be able to read it by next weekend!
I picked this up this morning because I wanted something light to read after my last book and I raced right through it. I read the entire thing!I thought it was a fun book!
Melissa, is it light, compared to most MG books? The cover picture and size of the hardcover of Gregor is rather intimidating, especially compared to the other MG I just read, A Prince Among Frogs. But you say it's fun, so I'll be brave and pick it up soon!
I had fun reading it but its not like a happy kind of book. The quest does require that 4 of the questers not make it so it does have some darkness to it but I enjoy quest books so for me it was a fun book.
I thought the little sister made for an interesting "obstacle" in the story--in the middle of everything, Gregor always has to make sure she is safe. Do you think this slowed down the narrative, or made for a more compelling character?
Well, at about 1/3 through, I think Boots is serving much the same role that the grandmother did in your adventure, M.G., Fizz & Peppers at the Bottom of the World. I'm charmed by her and I'm getting the sense that her presence makes the story richer, and makes Gregor's character more interesting. The way you phrased the question makes it seem as if 'slowing down the narrative' would be a bad thing. I think it would be a good thing, actually - too many of us, including esp. avid MG readers, zoom through books instead of savoring them.
In any case, so far among the two middle-grade adventures I feel compelled to compare, I prefer your book to this. And not just because of the grandmother vs. Boots, though that is significant. Your grandmother was a richer & more important character. Boots seems to be just a simple role-filler.
I've just picked up a copy from the library. I've never been part of a reading group before. Are there any guidelines or rules? Like 1)is there a reading deadline or any time in November is ok and 2) when is it okay to post comments that might effect someone else's enjoyment of the story if they haven't finished the book yet? Sorry to ask if I should already know!
I really enjoyed Boots, I think she added something special to the story and I don't know that I would have liked the book as well without her in it. I don't know that she was an "obstacle" so much because of how much she actually helped them on there quests.
Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "Well, at about 1/3 through, I think Boots is serving much the same role that the grandmother did in your adventure, M.G., Fizz & Peppers at the Bottom of the World. I'm charmed by her and I'm gett..."Thank you, Cheryl!
I haven't read beyond the first in this series, but I understand that Gregor ends up with "superpowers" in the next book of the series.One of the things I personally liked about this first book is that Gregor is just a normal kid, learning to act in brave ways and navigate an unfamiliar world.
Anyone have any thoughts about superpowers and middle grade characters?
I will be picking up the audio for this soon. Can't wait to join the discussion.
I think Boots' role is an important one. I realize she puts limitations and extra pressure on Gregor, but I feel she's an integral part of things.I like the fact that we've got two of the more disgusting creatures I can think of as playing major roles in helping overcome an evil force. Gave me shivers more than once.
I do agree Boots becomes much more important as the book goes on. She's trouble, esp. at first, but then becomes, as Gregor notes at one point, a special kind of 'secret weapon.'Sandy, in my experience from other groups, you're welcome to join the discussion at any time, even after the month is over. If you want to say something that's a major spoiler, and it's early in the month, you can use spoiler tags.* Otherwise, people who are sensitive to spoilers are accustomed to avoiding discussions until they are done reading.
To use spoiler tags, type in:
< spoiler >the butler did it< /spoiler >
but just take out the spaces. It will look like this:
(view spoiler)
Mod
Sandy, in my exp..."
AH! I wondered how you did spoilers and what happened if you used them! Thanks, Cheryl!
I havent started reading Gregor yet. I'm behind on must reads, so I might not get round to him until the new year :(
I read the whole series as the books came out & it's hard for me to isolate the first book. I thought the series a rich read. Who would have thought bats could be such interesting characters? As for Boots, she becomes very significant to the plot, especially in later books. The sheer presence of such a small child changes many things. One of the most important things about Boots is how she illuminates Gregor's character as we see Gregor's selfless devotion to her even in t he most trying circumstances.
I'm impressed with how physically *strong* the bats are. They must have an efficient metabolism, too, because they don't eat much to fuel all that heavy lifting.
Finished Gregor the Overlander and enjoyed the quest. When I first saw Boots involved the thought crossed my mind, how would the author effectively incorporate her into the plot without getting bogged down. After reading the tale, I loved Boot's involvement. She kept Gregor humble and not a superhero. Boots kept Gregor appropriately anchored to his responsibilities while still being an effective hero.
I don't typically enjoy books where animals become super-sized and talk. So, I'm not sure I liked the roaches, bats and spiders. Bugs are bugs, no matter where and if you live in TX like I do, roaches are huge and just gross! (sorry, my personal experience).
Overall, a fun read although I doubt I'll read the rest of the series. I wish there could be some other mechanism than a prophecy to drive the plot. There's so much available in that world that I think some other tool could have sufficed.
I really loved this book. Great pick! I don't think I would have loved it as much if Boots wasn't in it. Gregor's protectiveness of her and relationship with her was a refreshing surprise. Many of the MG books I read have siblings portrayed as opposing warriors. It was wonderful to see a caring sibling relationship for once. He even showed love for his other sister by encouraging her to go to summer camp when he couldn't.
The story turned out to be much different than I was expecting. I was expecting a much more 'masculine' story line with continuous fighting and a protagonist that used his battle skills to succeed. It was much deeper than that, and I am going to continue to read the series.
Good point, that the siblings weren't at war w/ each other, even back home. Sibling rivalry isn't universal and doesn't need to be a motif in every kid's book.
I enjoyed this story very much. The relationship between Gregor and Boots was quite special, and in addition to Gregor's concern about his father, made him a rich character beyond the plot about a quest. I really appreciated how Boots wasn't just a liability, but played an important role in making the allies they needed to succeed. Good pick!
This is one of my favorite series' ever. I love the characters and the adventure. I've read all five books more than once. Though, like the Hunger Games trilogy, the later books do get darker. My kids still laugh about the fact that I cried when a cockroach died in this first book. But to me that just showed how good she was at layering in emotions to this amazing adventure book.
This is one of my favorite books I ever read!Above all of spending time with his friends in the under lands Gregor is also in deep sorrow that his father is nowhere to be found.
Mod
Just for the record. I grabbed this book and read it in preparation for this discussion, but other things got in the way. Sorry! (head held low)
I really must finish the review of this book and post it. (head held low again)
I really enjoyed it and will move on to others in the series when I can :)
Great Middle Grade Reads
Books mentioned in this topic
Fizz & Peppers at the Bottom of the World (other topics)A Prince Among Frogs (other topics)
Gregor the Overlander (other topics)
Gregor the Overlander begins Suzanne Collins' middle grade Underland Chronicles, written prior to her widely popular HUNGER GAMES series.
The GoodReads book description:
When eleven-year-old Gregor follows his little sister through a grate in the laundry room of their New York apartment, he hurtles into the dark Underland beneath the city. There, humans live uneasily beside giant spiders, bats, cockroaches, and rats, but the fragile peace is about to fall apart.
Gregor wants no part of a conflict between these creepy creatures. He just wants to find his way home. But when he discovers that a strange prophecy foretells a role for him in the Underland's uncertain future, he realizes it might be the only way to solve the biggest mystery of his life. Little does he know his quest will change him and the Underland forever.
Rich in suspense and brimming with adventure, Suzanne Collin's debut marked a thrilling new talent, and introduced a character no young reader will ever forget.