Gregor the Overlander: Book 1 in the Underland Chronicles
Author: Suzanne Collins;
Genre: Middle-grade Fantasy;
Format: Kindle ebook;
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc. (2010);
Rating: 
(4 / 5).
This is the first book I’ve actually read in a while, having been busy listening to audiobooks for quite a while. I read this one in conjunction with my 12- and 11-year-old grandnieces, and we plan to get together for a chat about it.
It’s a fun story about a lonely city boy who is suddenly cast into the “Underland” and must take on a quest to save the creatures there and find his missing father. Themes are diversity and love of family. Characterizations were well done and Gregor is a sympathetic protagonist, dealing with fear and frustration in a crisis. He cares for his baby sister and longs to see his dad again while struggling to keep his temper in check.
A good middle-school read, the story includes some violence and death applicable to the plot, but not gore. No foul language, no sex.
The series continues with four more books.