Dungeon Runners: Hero Trial

Gr 3-6–Readers join the telecast of “Dungeon Runners” as the teams enter the Armageddon Arena (Hunger Games for the mythical creature set). An accident with a dragon (it ate a team) creates an opening for a new team with a mage, fighter, and healer. Kit, the main character, is a gnorf—part gnome, part dwarf—who has always wanted to be a Dungeon Runner. Through sheer will and overcoming bullying and naysayers, Kit, along with his new friend Sandy, a mage-in-training, and Thorn, a vegan vampire, become team Triple Trouble. They are ready to run through a maze, meet monsters, find a treasure, and get help from tiny creatures as they complete the Dragon Trials so they can compete on Dungeon Runners. Team Triple Trouble is a crew that wants to belong. Throughout their experience, they learn to deal with bullying and some powerful emotions. This entertaining story contains well-developed descriptions and illustrations that allow readers to immerse themselves in the action. The story-specific vocabulary refers to the creatures encountered: gobrot, troggles, and gnorf. Written descriptions and character illustrations make these words easy to decipher. There are a few things to be aware of—the death of characters off-page but referred to, as well as bullying on-page.