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Quick answer: If you loved Gregor the Overlander, read Redwall, Warriors, The Wild Robot and Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. All send brave young heroes into hidden animal worlds full of danger and friendship.
Suzanne Collins wrote the Underland Chronicles before The Hunger Games. In the first book, eleven-year-old Gregor falls through a vent into a hidden world beneath New York with giant bats, rats and cockroaches. The books below offer similar underground adventures, talking animals and quests.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane | Suzanne Collins | Ages 9-13 | the sequel |
| Redwall | Brian Jacques | Ages 9-13 | animal epic |
| Warriors: Into the Wild | Erin Hunter | Ages 9-13 | clans of cats |
| The Wild Robot | Peter Brown | Ages 8-12 | robot and animals |
| Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH | Robert C. O'Brien | Ages 8-12 | classic adventure |
| Watership Down | Richard Adams | Ages 11+ | rabbit epic |
| City of Ember | Jeanne DuPrau | Ages 9-13 | underground city |
| Alice's Adventures in Wonderland | Lewis Carroll | All ages | down the hole |
| The Lightning Thief | Rick Riordan | Ages 9-14 | quest adventure |
| Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy | Tui T. Sutherland | Ages 8-13 | dragon war |
| Hatchet | Gary Paulsen | Ages 10-14 | wilderness survival |
| The Hunger Games | Suzanne Collins | Teen | the author's famous series |
| The Giver | Lois Lowry | Ages 11+ | strange community |
| Journey to the Center of the Earth | Jules Verne | Ages 11+ | underground adventure |
| The Capture | Kathryn Lasky | Ages 9-13 | owl fantasy |
1. Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane by Suzanne Collins
Gregor must return to the Underland to fulfil a prophecy. A strong second book that grows the cast.
Best for: the sequel.
2. Redwall by Brian Jacques
Mice, badgers and hares defend an abbey from rats. Feasts and fights fill a long, loved series.
Best for: animal epic.
3. Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter
A house cat joins wild forest clans. Dramatic, with a large series to follow.
Best for: clans of cats.
4. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
A robot washes up on an island and learns from its animals. Short, gentle and moving.
Best for: robot and animals.
5. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
A widowed mouse asks for help from a colony of clever rats. A Newbery winner.
Best for: classic adventure.
6. Watership Down by Richard Adams
Rabbits flee their doomed warren to find a new home. Long, rich and unforgettable.
Best for: rabbit epic.
7. City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
Two teens search for a way out of a dying city. Tense and clever.
Best for: underground city.
8. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Alice falls into a strange world. A timeless classic with wordplay and oddness.
Best for: down the hole.
9. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Percy learns he is the son of a god. Fast and funny.
Best for: quest adventure.
10. Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland
Five young dragons are raised to end a war. Action-packed.
Best for: dragon war.
11. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
A boy survives alone in the Canadian wilderness. Tense, simple and powerful.
Best for: wilderness survival.
12. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Katniss volunteers for a televised fight to the death. Darker and more mature than the Underland books.
Best for: the author's famous series.
13. The Giver by Lois Lowry
A boy learns the truth about his society. Thoughtful and haunting.
Best for: strange community.
14. Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne
A professor and his nephew descend into a volcano. A classic of subterranean exploration.
Best for: underground adventure.
15. The Capture by Kathryn Lasky
A young owl is kidnapped and taken to a sinister school. The first Guardians of Ga'Hoole book.
Best for: owl fantasy.
How to Choose
For talking animals pick Redwall, Warriors or Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. For underground adventure choose City of Ember or Journey to the Center of the Earth. For a gentle read try The Wild Robot. For older readers consider Watership Down or The Hunger Games. Some books in the Underland series deal with war and loss, so they suit children comfortable with darker stories. Libraries and book clubs often pair Gregor the Overlander with other animal quests, since there is plenty to discuss, such as courage and friendship across species. Readers who liked the war themes may be ready for The Hunger Games and The Giver. Younger siblings can try The Wild Robot or Mrs. Frisby for a gentler version.
Related: 15 Books Like Wings of Fire Kids Will Love: Dragons, Quests and Animal Adventures · 12 Dystopian Books Like the Hunger Games | Best Books to Read Like Hunger Games
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gregor the Overlander about?
A boy falls into a hidden world beneath New York and becomes part of an ancient prophecy.
Who wrote it?
Suzanne Collins, the author of The Hunger Games.
When was it published?
2003.
How many books are in the series?
Five.
What age is it for?
Usually ages 9 to 13.
Is it dark?
It deals with war and loss, but is suitable for most middle-grade readers.
Do I need to read in order?
Yes.
What should I read next?
The next book is Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane.
Is Gregor the Overlander like The Hunger Games?
They share Suzanne Collins's interest in war and courage, but the Underland books are middle-grade fantasy.
Is it good for reading aloud?
Yes, especially the first book, which has plenty of cliffhangers.