Grades

DISCUSSION GUIDE
3–7

THE UNDERLAND
CHRONICLES

By #1 NewYork Times Bestselling Author of The Hunger Games

SUZANNE COLLINS
Gregor hadn’t planned to fall into another world, or to tumble into an adventure, or to become a hero. But when he
follows his little sister through a grate in the laundry room of their New York City apartment building, he hurtles into the
dark Underland where humans live uneasily beside giant spiders, bats, cockroaches, and rats.
There, the fragile peace is about to fall apart, and Gregor discovers that a prophecy foretells a role for him in the
Underland’s future. Little does he know that his quest will change him—and the Underland—forever.
 Discussion Questions for
Book One: Gregor the Overlander
1. G
 regor’s life isn’t as easy or as happy as it used to be since his father
disappeared. How has his life changed? Do you think these challenges in
any way prepared him for his quest in the Underland?

2. In the beginning of the story, Gregor believes his father will be back,
but he has created a rule for himself that prohibits him from thinking
about a future that includes his father. Why? How might this aid him in
his quest? Does Gregor ever break his own rule?

3. What are some of the descriptions in the book that show how the
Underlanders have adapted to their new environment? How do the
adaptations help them survive? What might happen to them if they came
back to the Overland?

4. The Underlanders see Gregor as the great warrior told of in the

Prophecy of Gray, and because of that he is to lead the quest to prevent
their annihilation. But Gregor sees himself differently—he says to Vikus,
“You’ve got the wrong guy. Really, I promise you, I’m not the warrior.”
Explain his feelings. Why is Vikus so convinced that Gregor is the right
When Gregor falls through a grate in
one?
the laundry room of his apartment
building into the dark Underland, 5. How is Gregor like many soldiers who go off to war? Gregor has many
he finds a world on the brink of qualities that we associate with the typical American hero. What are
war. Gregor’s arrival is no accident. they? How are these traits different from those of Luxa and Henry?
A prophecy foretells that Gregor
has a role to play in the Underland’s 6. One of the most interesting characters in the novel is not human, but
future. Gregor wants no part of it a rat that Vikus has enlisted to be the guide for the questers. Discuss
until he realizes it’s the only way Ripred’s traits that set him apart from the others, both rats and humans.
to solve the mystery of his father’s
7. At one point, Ripred says, “Mutual need is a strong bond. Stronger than
disappearance. Reluctantly, Gregor
friendship, stronger than love.” What does he mean by this? In what ways
embarks on a dangerous adventure do the various groups have mutual bonds that outweigh friendship and
to battle the forces of evil. love? Do you think Ripred is wrong?

8. Authors sometimes plant clues in a story to foreshadow future events.

Often these clues can be very subtle and hard to pick up on. Look back
in the story, and find things that Henry said and did that point to his
treachery.

9. At the end of the story, Gregor does not accept Bartholomew of

Sandwich’s sword, a gift from Vikus. Why? Even after the quest is over
and Gregor has helped the Underlanders avoid annihilation, do you
think Gregor thinks of himself as a warrior?
 Discussion Questions for
Book Two: Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane
1. I n the beginning of the story, we see that Gregor’s father is physically
and psychologically damaged. In many ways, how is he like a prisoner
of war who has been rescued and has returned home? Gregor notes that
his father has a hard time separating reality from illusion—why do you
think that is?

2. I n the Underland, children as young as six years old are training in

the arena. How is war a way of life in Regalia? What do you think it
would be like to grow up like this? Do you think there is ever hope for
reconciliation between warring factions if children are trained at such a
young age to fear (and kill) the enemy?

3. Gregor seems to have a bit more “attitude” in the Underland this

time around, speaking his mind without much thought or fear of the
consequences. He also seems to have a lower tolerance for things that
bother him. How do you explain the change in his demeanor from his
first journey?

4. Graph out the line to the royal throne of Regalia. Why are Luxa’s
Gregor is summoned back to the
cousins so awful to her? Is it just because of Henry, or is something
Underland by the terms of a second
more happening here? How do you view Howard? Is he to be trusted?
prophecy, this time about the Bane,
an ominous white rat whose survival 5. Even Gregor is not immune to feelings of confusion over the
may come at the cost of Gregor’s relationship between the rats and the humans, but he knows it’s wrong
dearest treasure — his little sister, to let Twitchtip drown. In what ways does this make Gregor a good
Boots. The Bane is destined to bring leader? Do you think it’s possible for a good leader to also be a good
a World War to the Underland if warrior?
Gregor doesn’t kill it. But when
6. Gregor’s secret is that he is a rager. Why does Gregor find this news to
Gregor comes face to face with the
be so scary? Do you think Gregor is anything like Ripred? Do you think
Bane, he faces a whole new dilemma.
it’s an advantage to be a rager or a disadvantage? Why?
His heart tells him he’s making the
right decision. Will it be a decision 7. According to the Prophecy of Bane, the most essential part of Gregor is
he lives to regret? his heart. How do you reconcile this with his rager side? Do you think
Gregor has come to terms yet with his rager side? Can the two ever
coexist?

8. Nature versus nurture is a classic and well-loved debate. Thinking of the

Bane in regards to this debate, how do you think the Bane is going to
turn out?
 Discussion Questions for
Book Three: Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods
1. Why is the Prophecy of Blood written backwards?

2. R
 ipred lied to Gregor about how long he would need to stay in the
Underland. Do you think it was okay for Ripred to lie? What would
have happened if Ripred had told Gregor the truth? Would you lie if
something important were at stake?

3. In the beginning of the story, Gregor worries about his mom being
in the Underland with him—why? How is Gregor different in the
Underland when his mom is around? When she is not around? If his
mom had not been stricken by the plague and accompanied Gregor on
the quest, how do you think this would have affected his quest?

4. Gregor and Ripred often have quite a contentious relationship, yet there
are times when they both seem to genuinely care and look out for each
other. What evidence is there of Ripred caring for Gregor? And Gregor
of Ripred? Why is their relationship so complicated?

5. Why does Luxa almost let Gregor drown in the quicksand? Why has she
With two prophecies fulfilled,
aligned herself with the nibblers? Why do other groups (such as the rats)
Gregor is now focused on the
seem to hate the nibblers?
Prophecy of Blood, which calls for
Gregor and “the princess,” Boots, 6. We learn the story of how Hamnet was forced to flood the garden
to return to the Underland to help thereby killing hundreds of rats. Afterward, Hamnet could not stay sane
ward off a plague. Him mom agrees and he fled Regalia. If you were Hamnet, would you decide to live in
to let them go—on the condition the jungle or return to Regalia? Which is the bravest choice? Which is
that she travel with them. When the more honorable choice?
they arrive in the subterranean city,
7. After telling Gregor and Luxa the story about Hamnet fleeing Regalia,
the plague is spreading—and one of
Ripred says, “The more tales told, the less chance of repeating them.”
Gregor’s family is stricken. Only then
What does Ripred mean by this? What other stories in our own recent
does he understand his role in the history are important stories to hear? Why?
prophecy. He must summon all his
power to end the biological warfare, 8. We learn a lot about Solovet in this book that paints her in quite an
or the warmblood creatures of the unfavorable light. What bothers Gregor about Solovet? Why do you
Underland will die. think Vikus, who in many ways is the opposite of Solovet, seems to
tolerate it? In what ways is Solovet like the heads of other military
powers in the world? Is it necessary to always rule by force?
 Discussion Questions for
Book Four: Gregor and the Marks of Secret
1. G
 regor feels like an outsider at home in New York City. He finds
comfort in the thought that he can go back to the Underland where he
will fit in. How has his idea of “home” changed? Do you think this helps
explain why soldiers who come back from war often sign up for more
tours of duty even when they aren’t obligated to?

2. W
 hy is Lizzie extremely nervous about going away to camp? In what
ways might you compare her and her family to the families that
servicemen and servicewomen have left behind to go fight in a war?

3. Why does Ripred tell Gregor that they must kill the Bane and keep their
plan a secret from everyone? Would you go along with Ripred’s plan if
you were Gregor? Given the past history of Ripred telling lies to get his
way, would you doubt or trust him now?

4. Gregor has become more comfortable with being a rager—able to

fight without losing awareness of his actions and without fear of his
transformation. Why do you think this is? In the battle with the snakes,
his friends tell him that he seemed to enjoy killing the snakes. What do
Now, with the third prophecy
you make of this? Why does it bother Gregor so much?
fulfilled, Gregor is drawn into a crisis.
For generations, rats have run the 5. The nibblers are like a people without a land, driven by the gnawers
mice—or “nibblers”—out of whatever from one place to another, never able to put down roots for very long.
lands they’ve claimed, keeping them Historically, what other peoples have had (or currently have) similar
on the move. But now the mice are plights? Why is this allowed to happen?
disappearing, and the young queen
Luxa is determined to find out why. 6. Should Luxa have declared war on the gnawers? Why or why not? If the
When Gregor joins her on a fact- humans don’t use force against the rats, how else can they stop them
from abusing and killing the nibblers? Is there ever a time when war or
finding mission, the true fate of the
force is justified? Why does Gregor feel so torn up over the situation?
mice is revealed. It is something far
more sinister than Gregor or Luxa 7. The author tackles some serious subject matter with the mass killing of
had imagined—and it points the way the nibblers at the hands of the gnawers. Discuss the ways in which the
to the final prophecy he has yet to author might be drawing parallels to genocides in our own history. The
fulfill. Will Gregor’s role as warrior Bane blames the nibblers for the troubles of the gnawers. Discuss how
and his abilities as a rager be put to one group of people can be hatefully turned against another.
the test?
8. Gregor learns that in the Underland, the humans are called the killers.
This seems to surprise him. Are you surprised? Do you agree with Luxa
that the name will eventually fade away entirely?

9. Besides the marks of secret, what other secrets are there in this story?
When is a secret powerful? When is it deadly? Are secrets ever justified?

10. At the end of the story, Gregor says he has no other option but to pick
up Sandwich’s sword and fight. Do you agree with Gregor?
 Discussion Questions for
Book Five: Gregor and the Code of Claw
1. V
 ikus tells Gregor that even in a time of war there is a time for
restraint. What does Vikus mean by this? When does this advice end up
helping Gregor? Can you think of real-life examples when this advice
might come in handy?

2. W
 ere you surprised that Lizzie is actually thought to be the princess?
What clues were there from the very beginning of the series that this
actually could be the case? Why is she such an unlikely princess? What
makes her a good princess?

3. W
 hen Gregor learns the truth about how the humans ran the moles out
of Regalia, he feels confused about his role in the Underland. Gregor
explains, “It was a terrible feeling, to be on the wrong side of what was
right.” Why does Gregor feel so conflicted? Do you think the humans
have the right to claim Regalia as their own?

4. We learn that Ripred’s entire family was killed when Hamnet broke the
dike. Does this information change your opinion of Ripred? Does this
make him a more sympathetic or trustworthy character?
Everyone in the Underland has
been taking great pains to keep
5. Ripred admits that he doesn’t believe in the truth of Sandwich’s
The Prophecy of Time from Gregor. prophecies, and Gregor says that he has been doubting them as well.
Gregor knows it must say something Why? By the end of the series, it is left a bit open to our interpretation
awful but he never imagined just as to whether or not the prophecies have any truth to them. Based on
how awful: It calls for the warrior’s the way the prophecies played out, what do you think?
death. Now, with an army of rats
approaching, and his mom and sister 6. At the end of the story, the humans and the rats form an alliance with
still in Regalia, Gregor the warrior one another. How likely do you think this is to last?
must gather up his courage to help
7. Gregor says that after the war there will be no place for him, not in the
defend Regalia and get his family
Underland, not in the Overland, and nowhere in between. Thinking
home safely. The entire existence of about Gregor in the beginning of the first book, how has his idea of
the Underland is in Gregor’s hands, being a hero changed? Do you consider Gregor a hero? Do you think he
and time is running out. There is a considers himself one? Is the author is drawing any parallels to soldiers
code to be cracked, a mysterious who return home from fighting in a war?
new princess, Gregor’s burgeoning
dark side, and a war to end all wars. 8. Do you think Gregor has any other choice but to return home to New
York City after the war is over?

9. Ripred warns Gregor about going home, because he will still be a

rager, and tells him that it’s much easier to lose his head than to keep
it, meaning that it’s much easier to lose his temper than to stay calm in
certain situations. How do you think Gregor is going to fare at home in
New York City?
Talking About the Books
1. Like many characters in the fantasy genre, and like many 6. Rats and Underlanders were not always bitter enemies.
of the readers of fantasy, Gregor feels like an outsider in How is it that now they will fight to the death to
his environment when we meet him in the opening of eliminate each other? Does this surprise you? Think
the first book, Gregor the Overlander. Furthermore, he was about recent events in world history, and discuss how
powerless to control or change things. It is not until he the events and attitudes in the fictional society in The
steps out of his world in New York City that he begins to Underland Chronicles mirror the events and attitudes in
unravel the mystery of who he is and what his place in real life.
society is. Why do you think this is? Discuss other fantasy
novels with protagonists who also must step outside of 7. The characters in the Underland speak in a very stylized,
what is familiar to them in order to embark on a quest somewhat old-fashioned way. How does this help define
that is larger than anything they’ve ever known and who they are? Why doesn’t Ripred talk this way?
prevail.
8. In many fantasy stories, the main character doesn’t plan
2. How would you react to falling into the Underland? to go on a quest, but is forced to do so by circumstances,
Would you try to escape? Remember that Gregor does and then rises to the occasion. Discuss the theme of
try to escape until he knows that his father needs to be the “reluctant hero” in many fantasies. Why is this an
rescued. What would cause you to stay and fight in the appealing idea? In what ways is Gregor a reluctant hero?
Underland? How might your quest be different than
Gregor’s? In what ways might it be the same, and why? 9. Are all the fantasies you have read ultimately about
good versus evil? Explore this main theme in the fantasy
3. The Underland is a fantasty world, but parts of it are genre. Discuss what other types of fantasy there may be.
based on creatures and settings that are familiar. What
are these familiar things? Do you think they make the 10. Suzanne Collins doesn’t shy away from showing the
Underland seem real? Why do you think the author horrible effects of war. Characters die at the hands of
chose to use familiar creatures such as rats but made others, while others like Gregor’s dad suffer horribly
them six feet tall? How are the other creatures in the and will likely never be the same. Why do you think the
books the same and yet different from the ones in our author chose to paint this realistic picture of war in a
world? If you were to create your own fantasy world, fantasy series where she could have easily gleaned over
what might you include? How might you alter them to the violence?
fit into a fantasy world?
11. Chart how Gregor evolves over the course of the five
4. The prophecies of Bartholomew of Sandwich foretold books. How has he grown? How has he become wiser?
many things that have occurred in the Underland, How has his rager side evolved?
including the death of Luxa’s parents. When prophecies
are fulfilled, is it because of fate or because people shape 12. In the Underland, light is synonymous with life. Why do
their behavior to conform to the prophecy? Discuss the you think this is? How might light be synonymous with
concept of self-fulfilling prophecies. Also discuss the life in our own world?
belief in free will versus fate.

5. Gregor’s journey is that of a hero’s quest, a fairly

common theme in fantasy literature. How has Gregor
changed over the course of the five books? What is his
hero’s story? Do you have a hero’s story? What is it? If
you don’t feel you have a hero’s story, what would your
ideal hero’s story be?
 ★ “Exceptional . . . well-written, fast-moving, action packed . . . Collins creates a
fascinating, vivid, highly original world and a superb story to go along with it.”
—Booklist, starred review

★ “Luminous, supremely absorbing . . . wonderful.”

—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ “Fantastically engaging.”—PublishersWeekly, starred review

About the Author

Thinking one day about Alice in Wonderland, Suzanne Collins was
struck by how pastoral the setting must seem to kids who, like her
own kids, lived in urban surroundings. In New York City, you’re
much more likely to fall down a manhole than a rabbit hole, and if
you do, you’re not going to find a tea party. What might you find?
The answer to this question can be found in Collins’s first novel,
Gregor the Overlander.

Suzanne Collins has had a prolific career writing for children’s

television. She first made her mark in children’s literature with the
NewYork Times bestselling series The Underland Chronicles. Collins,
who was named among Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential
People in 2010, continued to explore the effects of war and
violence on those coming of age in her award-winning series for
young adults, The Hunger Games Trilogy. Collins lives with her
Photo: Todd Plitt

family in Connecticut.

EACH: PAPERBACK, $6.99 • AVAILABLE WHEREVER BOOKS ARE SOLD

Book One: Gregor the Overlander Book Four: Gregor and the Marks of Secret
Paperback: 978-0-439-67813-1 Paperback: 978-0-439-79146-5
Ebook: 978-0-545-31793-1 Ebook: 978-0-545-31817-4

Book Two: Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane Book Five: Gregor and the Code of Claw
Paperback: 978-0-439-65076-2 Paperback: 978-0-439-79144-1
Ebook: 978-0-545-31796-2 Ebook: 978-0-545-31816-7

Book Three: Gregor and the Curse Also available

of the Warmbloods The Underland Chronicles: Gregor Boxed Set #1-5
Paperback: 978-0-439-65624-5 Paperback: 978-0-545-16681-2 • $34.95
Ebook: 978-0-545-31797-9 Ebook: 978-0-545-45907-5

Discussion guide written by Jen Rees

SCHOLASTIC™ Scholastic Inc. scholastic.com/gregor