The Makers Club: Starting Up! (Book 2)
About the book
Childhood friends Aqilah and Yong Qiang have lost touch over the years. When they are unexpectedly reunited in Pangolin Secondary School, they discover that things are very different and life seems a lot more uncertain than it once was. Will they have the courage to start up a brand new school club and convince everyone, including themselves, they’re ready for independence? Find out how the founding members of The Makers Club forged a friendship that would change their lives forever.
Why read this book?
• Invites kids to explore entrepreneurship, design thinking, and maker culture, with a diverse cast of characters who tackle real, honest issues in their friendships and personal growth.
• This full-colour graphic novel includes bonus content that features inspiring interviews with entrepreneurs, discussion questions, and more!
• Set in Southeast Asia, by creators from Southeast Asia.
Read an excerpt of The Makers Club: Starting Up! here.
Praise For The Makers Club
“The origin story of The Makers Club has captured well the anxieties of teen-hood, the discovery of self and the joy of making with a purpose. I am looking forward to buying multiple copies to share with the young people I love!”
— Dr. Loh Chin Ee, Teacher Educator and Reading Researcher at National Institute of Education
“I love how the characters are unique and how the people and the scenarios are relatable. Like, Aqi reminds me of how I need to choose a secondary school soon. And it is also cool that the book shows food I recognise, like mee rebus! And I like the colours of the whole book!”
— Shermane Lim, 12 year old
“I like how it combines the angst of starting secondary school, with a message of accepting friends who are different and who may have challenges going on in their lives. I also like how it shares the importance of not giving up your dreams or passions, even if other things are happening in your life.”
— Sarah Mounsey, Director of Libraries, Dulwich College Singapore
“Ticks all the boxes. This is a book young people will like.”
— CT Lim, country editor (Singapore) of the International Journal of Comic Art
Reimena Yee
Writer
Reimena Yee is an illustrator, writer, and designer. Hailing from the dusty metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, she once was a STEM student with the wish to enter academia, but left to pursue a passion for the world and all of the histories and cultures within it, which she weaves into her art and stories.She is the author-illustrator of the gothic comics, The World in Deeper Inspection, the Eisner and McDuffie-nominated The Carpet Merchant of Konstantiniyya, and Seance Tea Party. Elsewhere, she is the co-founder of UNNAMED, a comics collective that aims to build community and resources for visual-literary creators in Southeast Asia, through workshops, panels and partnerships. She can be found at www.reimenayee.com.
Tintin Pantoja
Illustrator
Philippine-born artist Tintin Pantoja graduated with a BFA in Cartooning and Illustration from the School of Visual Arts in NYC, having acquired a love of comics from early exposure to Hergé’s Tintin, Archie, and the X-Men. She has been illustrating comics since 2007. Among her works are adaptations of Hamlet, Pride and Prejudice, and the educational middle-grade Manga Math series. Most recently, she created Unplugged and Unpopular together with writer Mat Heagerty. She divides her time in Manila between making comics, caring for her four dogs, and scouting the web for fountain pens. You can see more of her work at www.tintinpantoja.com.
Aqilah Zuraidi
Creative with a flair for fashion, Aqilah loves designing and crafting things. She’s a fiercely loyal friend and is determined to be an independent young woman. She is always battling Yong Qiang for second biggest fan of the Banyan High series.
Fu Yong Qiang
Everyone’s best friend, Yong Qiang never fails to light up every room he enters. Sporty and resilient, he always finds a way to make things interesting and fun. His love of the Banyan High series is second only to Nadia’s.
Nadia Tan
Artistic and geeky, Nadia likes drawing, making zines, and eating pineapple tarts. She can usually be found in her bedroom reading, making art, or daydreaming. She loves her family and wants to do well in school to make them proud. She is the self-proclaimed Banyan High series’ number one fan.
Priya Kumar
A loner, Priya spends most of her time in her room playing video games to escape her parents and the rest of the world. She is seldom seen without her noisecancelling headphones and hoodie. Smart, focused and driven, Priya always wants to win. She’s a new Banyan High series fan.
Tilly Tay
Tilly is a maker, tinkerer, and loves working as a school librarian. She is devoted to her students and her cat, and is never too far away from her next cup of coffee. She’s very interested in the series she sees her students reading. It’s called Banyan High.
