The Makers Club: A Graphic Novel

The Makers Club #1-2

by Reimena Yee, Tintin Pantoja (Illustrator), Melanie Ujimori (Illustrator)

Raina Telgemeier's Drama set in Southeast Asia. The Maker's Club, a gorgeous graphic novel from an Eisner-nominated author, is about a group of kids who blend art and science to create incredible projects in video gaming, fashion, and a whole lot more.

Join the Makers Club, where art and science come together! This graphic novel contains two stories in one. In the first story, readers meet Nadia and Priya, who are paired up for a science fair project. With Nadia's art and Priya's coding skills, they make a video game that's sure to impress, but soon learn there's more to teamwork than just having the individual skills. In the second story, old friends Aqilah and Yong Qiang reconnect at their new school. As they both try to pursue their passions in fashion design and engineering, they'll soon find that trying to do everything and please everyone catches up to you eventually.

Readers will love this colorful graphic novel that's all about friendship, crafting, and coming up with creative solutions.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Comics, Art, Fiction, Young Adult

224 pages, Paperback

Published August 6, 2024

About the author

A strange and fancy author-artist, born in the dusty city of Kuala Lumpur. Having once been an academia aspirant, she looks at the world with infinite awe and curiosity. She loves history, the beauty in the mundane, and whimsically spooky things.

Reviews

[Pineapplw · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't. I made it to the start of part 2 and gave up. The writing was stale, which is rare for a graphic novel. The art was mid, nothing special.

[Lost in Book Land · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome back!

I had another graphic novel reading session! I am re-reading so many favorite graphic novel stories that always just make my heart so happy but I also still love picking up new stories. This time I went browsing on Hoopla to use up my monthly borrows I found several graphic novels that interested me and decided to try out The Maker’s Club!

SPOILERS AHEAD

This graphic novel has two amazing stories in one! We first get to meet Nadia who is starting a new school and trying to find her place at this school. On her first day, she encounters a girl who seems kind of hostile at times but Nadia tries her best to be nice to her anyway. However, in science class, she ends up paired with the girl and they have to work together because this is a massive part of their grade for the year. Nadia loves art but is really trying to take academics more seriously so in the future she can have a great job and help her family but this project might pull her back into the art world. In the second story, we meet two friends who had lost connection until arriving at this new school where they bump into each other. They both have different goals in life but this filled to the brim storage room in the library helps to bring them together and create a really awesome space.

I really enjoyed my time with this graphic novel. I loved Nadia’s story and seeing her head back into the art world she loved so much. I also enjoyed seeing her realize that she might be able to make art into a really profitable career someday. It was nice to see the different characters’ determination and how they could slowly see all their goals happening as their different projects evolved. I would definitely recommend checking this graphic novel out (it might even be on your Hoopla if your library has this)!

Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

While each character had their own problems, they worked together to fix them. Also loved the librarian who was fostering their creativity through finding them books and also facilitating a maker space for them to learn.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was originally published as two separate graphic novels, and it shows. It's two different stories, with some shared characters. I'm not sure why the story with Nadia and Priya was put first in this collection, since Aqilah and Yong Qiang's story happened a year before. Both stories can be summed up as being about applied creativity, with the young characters learning how to productively put their creative impulses to use. And there's some friendship stuff as well. For me, this book was a little light on the actual process of creating things. Most notably, we not only don't learn anything about what a 3D printer is or how it works, we never actually see anyone use it. It happens offscreen, because we see a finished product, but on panel nobody actually touches it.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite thing about this book is that it's set in Southeast Asia -- because there are so few books set there. I also liked the first half of this book, but it felt a little disconnected to the second story. I wanted a little more integration, or maybe even more short stories about the makers club. I didn't like how it was basically just divided in half.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friendship, science, and hands on creation shine with this diverse group as they pursue what they love most.

This first book in the series contains two stories: one surrounding Nadia and Priya, and the other over Aqilah and Yong Qiang. While all four are part of the same friend's group, the first days of coming together at the school are explored. For Nadia, the school means a big achievement and she's a bit frightened about her first day. When she's paired up with Priya for a science project, the two very creative girls need to work together, handle a disaster, and see if they can not only do well in the class but, maybe, become friends. As for Aquilah and Yong Qiang, they already know each other and are reconnecting at the new school. Both pursue their passions, and while Aqilah does her best to design fashion for Yong Qiang, things don't work out quite as planned. The tales are separate from one another, one right after the other, and offer a nice insight on each character as it starts up the series.

It's not clear where this novel takes place, but the cast is very diverse in many ways and highlights characters, who are passionate about their interests. It's an uplifting tale, which deals with everyday issues in a positive light. Most important is the friendship, which allows each one to grow and thrive in their own way and at their own pace. It inspires creativity and shows that hard work and persistence can lead to a goal, even when there are stumbling blocks along the way.

It's a bright, fast-paced read, and is sure to interest more than a few readers. I received a DRC and love the positive atmosphere

[middle_schoolers_read Lindsay P · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first story follows Nadia and Priya as they partner up for their science project and attempt to code a new game as their final project. Will they be able to overcome the obstacles thrown their way?

The second story follows Aqilah and Yong Qiang as they both join the Library Club and discover a maker space in the Library that inspires them to create their own club. But will anyone else want to join the Maker’s Club?

This #graphicnovel was such a good one to read in the days leading to the start of a new school year when you’re looking for some inspiration. The four characters were all vulnerable and so very creative that it inspired me to want to have a better maker’s space in my library. I love that they all had their own obstacles to overcome and that they allowed themselves to express these feelings to their new friends.

Who will like it?

✅ Fans of graphic novels
✅ Fans of visual arts and fashion design
✅ Fans of coding and engineering

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I considered giving up on this one, but my lunch break was half-over so I wouldn't have had time to finish a different book. I found this kind of awkward; I liked the idea of it, the backbone of the story was good, but the execution was lacking. This was two stories in one book, and they felt out of order. The art didn't wow me, and the writing felt awkward and stilted. Was this book originally released in a language other than English? Because it felt very much like a translation, but I can't find any information about that.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story about kids being creative, as well as using that creativity to address big issues like climate change as well as providing rainwear for wheelchair users like Yong Qiang. Great that disability is a significant topic here. Will always remember the term “adaptive wear.” If you never have to worry about clothing that can accommodate a disability, especially clothing that can protect from weather, you have able-bodied privilege.

Couldn’t help but notice the nod to Erin Entrada Kelly, whose book “Hello, Universe” was one of the books for Library Club. 🙂

[Raven Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice, sweet, familiar story. The unique quality of this coming of age tale is the diverse cast. Broken into two main stories, the theme of "doing what you love" but "not overdoing it" and not "just to make others happy" is prominent in both. Familiar personalities unfold and are relatable to most readers. Art and science play a larger role than sports, but sports does show up. Read via an online reader copy.

[Ellon · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars (it was okay)

I wanted to like this more than I did. This graphic novel is split into two parts and they don't really mesh well together. I also don't understand why the stories are in the order they are in if the second story happens first chronologically.
The science and art combo is nice but it just wasn't executed that well.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m 5-starring this one because I was really wowed by the diverse cast of characters. Both stories ended a little abruptly and could have been expanded a bit with some details on the makerspace, etc., but overall I think this had a lot of good things going for it and would be a good addition to a school or classroom library.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book feels more like vol. 1 and vol. 2 of a series than one cohesive book. It's a little all over the place with one dimensional characters. I love making things and was excited to read it. The art is great! The story needs work.

[Emmaby Barton Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a fun read!

things i loved: book lovers, sweet family (encouraging big brother, supportive mum), great rep (wheelchair user, poc, hijab), strong friendships, cool librarian, keeping joy in what you’re doing

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This felt like a fluff piece.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for Realm of Comics book club - March 2025

[Dolores · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two stories about four friends who come together to create a maker's space within their school and use it to make their creative visions a reality.

[ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

kids books are lowkey getting bad again but shoutout to visual novels definitely

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had lots of potential but missed the mark on a lot of things.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Nadia is starting at Pangolin Secondary School, and is a little wary about being able to make new friends until she is able to work with Adin and Ruby on a project. She also works with Priya, who isn't particularly friendly. Nadia is a huge fan of the Banyan High series, and connects with Aqi and Yong Qiang, who also love the books. Nadia lives in a somewhat run down part of town, but has supportive parents who run a struggling business, as well as a brother, Alfonso, who has graduated from college and is moving to Australia for a new job. When Nadia finds out that a science fair project is 40% of her grade, she agrees to work with Priya, who has very decided ideas about what the project should be. Priya plays a lot of computer games to distract herself when her parents argue, and she loves coding, so wants to make a video game for the project. This is fine with Nadia, but she doesn't have a computer. Priya assures her that she can do the artwork, and she'll scan the drawings into the program. When Priya loses her laptop and all the work, they have to think of another plan. They manage, and do well at the science fair. Aqi and Yong Qiang are spending a lot of time with Miss Tilly, the librarian, who is using a lot of donated equipment to put together a Maker Space. Aqi designs clothes and accessories, so is thrilled that there is an embroidery machine. She makes some adaptive clothing for Yong Qiang, who is in a wheelchair because of muscular dystrophy. Aqi does try to do many projects, but manages to "right size" her work after a while.

This felt like two separate stories, so I'm curious to see what further volumes look like. The artwork is appealing, and I liked the idea of a Maker Space. It's a little unclear where this takes place; one of the authors is from Kuala Lumpur, and since the school has "pangolin" in the name, maybe this is set in Malaysia? I would buy this if we had a Maker Space, but the library has always been busy enough that I have not been able to also supervise a lot of projects and equipment.