Steel Drumming at the Apollo: The Road to Super Top Dog 
By Trish Marx
Illustrated by Ellen B. Senisi
9781600601248
Ahmel, Aaron, Spencer, Dayshawn, Andre, Steven, Dha’Sean. Seven remarkable musicians in the Hamilton Hill Steel Drum Band. Seven high school friends who came together for the journey of a lifetime.
In January 2005 talent scouts from the world famous Apollo Theater came to Schenectady, New York, the boys' hometown. After beating out the competition there, the band went on to New York City to battle the best amateur acts in the country in front of the boisterous Apollo Amateur Night audiences. The competition got tougher; but, with their unique sound, the seven friends ignited the crowds into thunderous approval time after time. By December they had made it to the final face-off, the Super Top Dog show. Could the band now drum their way to the top?
Filled with the thrill of competition, the elation of winning, and the passion of pursuing a dream, Steel Drumming at the Apollo is a celebration of the power of music to unite and excite us all.
Booktalk with creators Trish Marx and Ellen B. Senisi
- Interest Level
- Grades 3 and up
- Reading Level
- Grade 4
- Themes
- Dreams & Aspirations, Music, Overcoming Obstacles, Self Esteem/Identity, YA interest, Middle Grade
Trish Marx nonfiction books for young readers have won numerous awards, including a Skipping Stones Honor Award for Everglades Forever, published by LEE & LOW BOOKS. For Steel Drumming at the Apollo, Marx and Senisi spent many hours with the members of the Hamilton Hill Steel Drum Band, talking with them and photographing during jam sessions, rehearsals, and Apollo Theater competitions. She has collaborated with Cindy Karp on three previous projects, including One Boy from Kosovo, a Parents' Choice Award winner. Marx has a background in journalism and has written several award-winning nonfiction books for children, often focusing on current events, environmental issues, and biography. She also works as a freelance children's book editor and teaches Writing for Children at Marymount Manhattan College. Marx lives in New York City. Visit her webste at www.trishmarx.com.
Ellen B. Senisi is the photographer and author of several award-winning photo-essays for children. Specializing in candid photography, her work also appears regularly in educational publications, textbooks, and professional journals. For Steel Drumming at the Apollo, chronicling the experiences of the Hamilton Hill Steel Drum Band was especially gratifying for Senisi since her son Steven is one of the band members. Senisi lives in Schenectady, New York. Her Web site is ellensenisi.com
