Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Academy: No Humans Allowed! by Madeleine Roux, Timothy Probert
Series: D&D Dungeon Academy #1
Published by HarperCollins on November 2, 2021
ISBN: 0063039125
Pages: 204
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

This Dungeons & Dragons-themed chapter book is best put into the hands of upper elementary/early middle school readers who are already familiar with and enjoy playing the role-playing game as the author assumes knowledge of the world of D&D and doesn’t do much to explain things to an unfamiliar reader. This first book drops the reader into Dungeon Academy where Zelli, a human, attends school under cover of being a minotaur (her adoptive parents are Minotaurs) since humans are reviled in the world of monsters. Zelli loves standing up for any monster that is bullied and can’t keep her opinions to herself. This has made Zelli a target by other monsters, but it has also drawn a few monsters to her, like Hugo the vegan owlbear and Bauble the shapeshifting mimic.  When she see a picture of human warrior Allidora Steelstrike in her History of Horrible Humans class, she is struck by the resemblance and wonders if it could be her mother. When a group of students goes missing and Allidora is the suspected culprit, Zelli, along with her oddball group of friends, decides to find the students and confront the truth about her family of origin. The theme of belonging and chosen family is strong. Great illustrations though they do not always mesh with the action in the story. Note: The world of D&D centers around maps and dungeons; this book missed a chance to offer a map of the world of Zelli and her fellow adventurers.

Review by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth