Gregor is not sure about trusting these strangers, especially with his baby sister, but they gradually earn his trust.and his respect.and ultimately a gratitude he can never repay. Then.his sister falls down a.what? He dives after her and falls too, and what they find is a fantastical world where they are called 'Overlanders'. And all Gregor can think is that it's pathetic that he's excited over the fact he gets to get out of the house for a few hours to do laundry. Gregor is 11 years old and left at home to watch his baby sister, Boots, who is 2 years old and his grandmother who has trouble keeping her mind in the here and now. I would like to know why a group traveling through dangerous territory did not post guards when they slept, where did the roast beef come from, where did he get cab fare and how come the kid who should be in her terrible two's is so good? I know this is meant for a young audience, but does that mean it has to be sloppy. The explanation for that did not take place until the end of the story and then it was not very good. A little girl gets sucked down a grate in a laundry room in New York City and so did a full grown man. Of all the animals and insects that live underground, this was all she could fit into the story. This mostly takes place underground and the only animals she mentions, are people, rats, roaches, fish and spiders. I did feel she should have gotten someone like Facklam to help her write the story. There were also some surprises I did not see coming.

About half way through the story gets more interesting when they are joined by Rip Red, I liked his character. They said that all Americans have a smell, because we eat so much meat. My wife went to college with some Nigerians. I will say I liked the whole take a bath so they rats don't smell you. I believe it could have been, The writing is good, but there are large holes. I believe that age group will really like the book, but it is not that good for adults. This is for 4th graders through 8th graders.

Gregor the overlander book 1