Gregor the Overlander

Suzanne Collins wrote another book series before The Hunger Games. In fact, she was writing the last book of the Underland Chronicles while writing The Hunger Games. The first book to come in this fantastical series is "Gregor the Overlander".

This book is good for kids around nine to thirteen years-olds.

Gregor and his little sister, Boots, have been fatherless for 2 years. He mysteriously vanished of the surface of the Earth. When doing laundry, Boots falls through the gates to the Underland. Gregor follows.

Giant cockroaches, rats, spiders, and bats are seen here. Because of a poopy diaper (Boots is only 2), cockroaches take them into an arena to see the rebellious princess, Luxa. 

Later on, the royal family believes that Gregor is a part of the prophecy that will change the Underland forever. The Prophecy of Gray. 

"BEWARE, UNDERLANDERS, TIME HANGS BY A THREAD.
THE HUNTERS ARE HUNTED, WHITE WATER RUNS RED.
THE GNAWERS WILL STRIKE TO EXTINGUISH THE REST.
THE HOPE OF THE HOPELESS RESIDES IN A QUEST.

AN OVERLANDER WARRIOR, A SON OF THE SUN.
MAY BRING US BACK LIGHT, HE MAY BRING US BACK NONE.
BUT GATHER YOUR NEIGHBORS AND FOLLOW HIS CALL
OR RATS WILL MOST SURELY DEVOUR US ALL.

TWO OVER, TWO UNDER, OF ROYAL DESCENT,
TWO FLYERS, TWO CRAWLERS, TWO SPINNERS ASSENT.
ONE GNAWER AHEAD BESIDE AND ONE LOST UP AHEAD
AND EIGHT WILL BE LEFT WHEN WE COUNT UP THE DEAD

THE LAST WHO WILL DIE MUST DECIDE WHERE HE STANDS.
THE FATE OF THE EIGHT IS CONTAINED IN HIS HANDS
SO BID HIM TAKE CARE, BID HIM LOOK WHEN HE LEAPS,
AS LIFE MAY BE DEATH AND DEATH LIFE AGAIN REAPS"

Will Gregor survive the trip? Will they ever get home? Will they find their dad? Find out in "Gregor the Overlander" by Suzanne Collins.