The Makers Club: A Graphic Novel (due August 2024) was read via an online reader copy, however, I can’t wait for it to be published as I know a few people who need this book. First, you should be able to order the title in paper or hardcover; and I recommend hardcover as you will read again and it will get a little bit beat up!
Author Reimena Yee made a nice, sweet, familiar story. The unique quality of this coming of age tale is the diverse cast with Southeast Asian protagonists. It is a graphic novel that is broken into two main stories. The first follows one character, and her friends, “now” and the other two of the friends a year previous. The themes are similar, (“doing what you love” but “not overdoing it” and not “just to make others happy”) is prominent in both. The characters are familiar with their likes, dislikes, problems, families and personalities. Everything unfolds and is relatable to most readers. Art and science play a larger role than sports, but sports do show up.
The illustrations by Tintin Pantoja and Melanie Ujimori have an upbeat and perky feeling to them. They are bubbly and colorful, with the right amount of details. There are a few “hidden gems” such as a copy of a contemporary book that shows up on a table. Some of the technology used is real and some a bit “spoofed” (most likely due to copyrights), but things like computers, coding and 3D printers are used/talked about. The extras at the end of things are clever, fun and tie it all together. We get such things as short author profiles, interviews with people involved with some of the technology and more.
