I could see students really love this book and wish for a series, as the main character reminds me of so many others out there. My science fiction area is lacking in the classroom, which is why I requested this book. The plot was a bit difficult to follow and I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I could see many students beginning to read this as the cover and premise sound exciting, but I don't think it would keep them interested until the end.

Heck yeah, our graphic novel class is going to adore this story. A quick cute read perfect for grades 3-6.

This book is enjoyable enough for what it is - a fairly straightforward romp through a mish-mash of fantasy and middle school tropes. Think Jimmy Neutron discovers he's the legendary hero of something like Legend of Griff (clearly a Legend of Zelda reference). It's not overly original, and the art is a little cartoon-y for my personal taste, but I could see middle schoolers enjoying the combination of familiar and enjoyed tropes in a new story.

An easy pick for video game fans. There are a lot of gaming references in this "chosen one" narrative. I mean, Travis has a literal bag of holding. He goes off on side quests and builds experience points. It's not a very deep read but is certainly entertaining.

Travis Daventhorpe seems like your ordinary, nerdy school boy. He just wants to make friends and perfect the design for his robot. But the multiverse has other ideas for him. A great graphic novel about following your destiny even if you don't quite understand it. Join Travis, Travbot and Juniper as they take on the Creatix, alongside dinosaurs and evil overlords, in a battle to rid the world(s) of evil.

I received eARC access to this title in exchange for my opinions.

Every school library should go ahead and sign up to get this in March and the second in the series, whenever that drops. Reading is reading, whether it is in audio format or a graphic novel. Reluctant readers don't need tried and true classics that have been studied; they just need books that they enjoy. I refuse to believe that our world is full of so many nonreaders. Hook them with fun books like TD:FTW and others that they enjoy and occasionally sprinkle in something a little more academia-friendly and then eventually hit them with TKaM and they will be hooked for sure.

There are so many good things to say about this book. So where to start... start, art, the art! Being from southern Ohio myself, the setting feels extremely home-y, like I've been there, minus some sci-fi and fantasy modifications. And the setting is only the beginning because it is really the characters that shine.

If this seems as though I am trying to sound as unhip as possible, I don't have to try it just comes out that way. I'm a 40 year old librarian and dad (kids could enjoy this at their age but would appreciate it even more in a couple years). I like the overall vibe of this book. Things are big, like how a kid sees things. Emotions? Big. Adults? Big. Stories? Big. Lots of bigness and the pace moves quickly.

Videogame and pop culture references! Dads out there who maybe don't like reading kids books, or at least not the same one over and over and ... ah, I nodded off there. This book will be fun to enjoy together with your kids or separately and then have a little book club. Chances are, there are some grown up easter eggs that you can explain to them or just enjoy knowing that they are flying right over their head. Read to your kids and read with your kids.

I saw in the author's most recent newsletter that he is already thinking about what Kirkus and PW will say and if they will say anything at all about TD:FTW. Well, I read both of those, and others, and I will definitely have a better sense of whether their starred reviews line up with me and my family's reading vibe as any reviews come out.

This was my first pre-pub review and I found it challenging. I really hope I kept it vague enough to avoid spoilers.

Travis Daventhorpe is your average, nerdy middle school science/tech genius minding his own business, trying to make friends and get his robot to fly, when he finds out that he’s the prophesied Hero of Solusterra. A mage of the Creatrix named Balezar shows up as soon as he pulls the Legendary Sword of Legends from a stone and informs him of his status, and also tries to get Travis ready to face the minions of Nol Invictus. Nol Invictus is the big, bad ruler of Solusterra who wants the sword so he can destroy the multiverse. But is Travis Daventhorpe really up to saving the multiverse?

This was a lot of fun, from battles between cyborg dinosaurs from other dimensions and robots, to Travis’ quirky humor and likability, to Balezar’s disbelief that anyone could be so hard to train, to the way Travis goes about trying to befriend the new girl, Juniper, to the background tidbits of enjoyability (like Travis’ middle school being named after the creator of Calvin & Hobbes or the farmer down the road who likes having a black hole on his property because…well, you just need to read it to find out). This was utterly delightful and I know the students at my school will think the same. Hand this to readers who love graphic novels, scifi adventures, underdog heroes, and chuckles all along the way.

Notes on content [based on the ARC]: No language issues. No sexual content. There’s a bloody nose from dodgeball. A bully has it out for Travis, but Travis keeps a calm head and seems nonplussed even when he gets wedgied. (You get the feeling the bully has a lesson coming in a future book.) There’s a sword fight, but it is between a cyborg dinosaur and a robot, and both end up impacted but fine.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received an electronic ARC from First Second Books through NetGalley.
Delightful first novel in this series. Travis does not fit in well at school and is bullied by his nemesis. He tries to make a friend and overdoes it a bit, but Juniper sees beyond the attempt. Travis is focused on robotics and has created several robots for his home - including Travbot who goes on adventures with him. One of these adventures leads to them ending up in a different world and meeting Bela, a high level wizard. As expected, Travis now has a quest to fulfill to save the multiverse. With help from Travbot, Juniper and Bela, he begins learning about sword fighting and standing up for himself.
I also appreciate the side story with Carl and Bobby as the portal is open near Carl's farm. True comedic relief element. Readers see plenty of humor in the overall story arc as well. They also meet the various characters in "cards" that show their strengths and weaknesses as they would in a video game.
Some readers will pick up on the surprise reveal before the end of the story but others will be surprised to learn who the Rogue really is. Molebash sets up the next book well. Looking forward to reading that one too.

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Travis Daventhorpe for the Win!

Author: Wes Molebash

Book Series: Travis Daventhorpe Book 1

Rating: 5/5

Diversity: POC characters, Hispanic character

Recommended For...: middle grade readers, sci-fi, graphic novel

Publication Date: March 21, 2023

Genre: MG Sci-Fi Graphic Novel

Age Relevance: 10+ (bullying, sexism, violence, death)

Explanation of Above: There are some scenes with violence and bullying in them. There is a scene where there is a slight sexist comment. Death is vaguely mentioned.

Publisher: First Second

Pages: 288

Synopsis: Travis Daventhorpe may be a genius, but he’s always struggled to make friends. After his attempt to befriend new kid Juniper Reyes results in an epic fail, Travis takes his sentient flying robot, Travbot, out for a ride. But when Travbot malfunctions, the two take a nosedive into the woods. There, they discover a legendary sword, a wizard from another dimension, and a mysterious prophecy: Travis Daventhorpe is destined to save the multiverse!

From debut author Wes Molebash comes this video-game-inspired sci-fi adventure series. Join Travis as he dodges bullies, forges friendships, and perfects his science fair project...all while trying to fulfill his magical destiny!

Review: This was such a great book! The book revolves around this kid named Travis who is not popular and is kinda a loner at school. We meet him as he’s trying to get friendly with a new kid named Juniper and making a robot for the science fair. Travis’ world is turned upside down though when he meets a wizard, pulls a sword from the stone, and embarks on a mission to save the universe. The book is so amazingly illustrated and written! I loved the D&D-like overlays of the characters and I loved that it was told in graphic novel format. The book had great world building and character development as well.

The only issue I had with the book is that some of the pacing was a bit fast, but it was a great read overall.

Verdict: I love it! Highly recommend!

My 11-year-old's really seemed to enjoy this book. He even asked if there was going to be another one in the series, that's how I know it was a win. Thank you net galley for this Arc in exchange for an honest review

Fans of HiLo are going to love this book! This is a hilarious, sci-fi graphic novel with a main character and sidekick that all readers will root for.

Travis is a UFH; Unidentified Flying Hero (when Travbot is working properly). Otherwise, he attends an obscure middle school in Hopeton, intends to be best friends with the new girl, and to win the science fair.

He doesn't know anything about being a hero (thus unidentified) until he and Travbot land (crash) in a clearing in a forest and discover a statue guarding a sword in a stone (I kid you not!).

Meanwhile a portal (originally called a blackhole by Bobby; an honest mistake), has opened on a farm nearby, and a malevolent ruler wants the *Sword enough to kill anyone in the way!

Things don't always (often) go Travis' way, but he is spunky and a little bit relentless. Readers will enjoy the book's take on life, and willingness to look at things from a different point of view (with humor).

[*"Legendary Sword of Legend" prophesied to be wielded by Travis Daventhorpe, specifically.]

5/5 Stars

I loved the player introductions, the wry comments, and general silliness mixed in with the gripping adventure! I hope to see the next book soon!

Next Adventure:
Travis Daventhorpe Powers Up!



Thanks to First Second Books, First Second Graphic Novels, Manga | Middle Grade | Sci Fi & Fantasy, and NetGalley for the temporary digital preview; any review is voluntary and my own opinion.


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This was surprisingly entertaining. Has a gaming/sci-fi vibe that young readers will enjoy-at least I think it will be a big hit at my library.

For Libraries: Perfect for fans of Hilo!

Thanks to First Second Books and Fierce Reads for the copy of this book! My 9-year-old graphic novel and fantasy lover absolutely devoured this one. I had to beg for my Kindle back. It's the perfect blend of genres and media types the author really nailed his audience here!

Travis Daventhorpe for the Win! is actually a pretty incredible and fun graphic novel for middlegrade readers. I, admittedly, kind of started off this book thinking it was a little silly, what with the way we first began the book on a set of farmers who initially don't seem to play much of a role in the story as a whole. But, as we get to know young Travis and slowly immerse ourselves into his world, a lot of the goofy events really begin to grow on you.

As I've noticed with a number of graphic novels for young readers recently, there's a really adorable video-game, RPG-esque format to many events throughout the story. As each character is introduced, we get insight into their "stats" and random pop ups appear at various points in the story, such as a weapon being equipped or another character joining the questing party. This, while certainly cheesy, was just so much fun and I loved every second of it.

The farmers pop up from time to time, existing as the people who just live there but are still impacted by the events going on around them. They react very quickly to the changes around them in a fun and amusing way, meanwhile we're privy to some of the more in-depth information related to our hero, Travis, his friends and teachers, and the villain set on destroying Travis so he can one day destroy the multi-verse.

This was an extremely fun read and one I certainly anticipate being added to my ever-growing list of book recommendations for students. I can't wait to share it with the kiddos I know are going to have a blast reading this one!

Travis Daventhorpe is a boy genius who was supposed to be in sixth grade, but was bumped up because he is that smart. However he is a little lonely, and his closest companion seems to be Travbot, a robot he created and programed. Along the way he stumbles upon a magical sword sought after by the evil forces who need it to destroy the multiverse. So while the fate of the world lies on his shoulders he also attempts to befriend new kid Juniper Reyes, and avoid the class bully who hates him, Derek Denvers.
It's a fun geeky story designed with role playing games in mind as each character has her own scale of traits. Derek for instance has zero empathy.
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an advance arc in exchange for an honest review.

Super fun graphic novel with bad guys, bullies, and more! Kids are going to love the video game references. Can’t wait to put this one on my shelves!