Steel Drumming at the Apollo: The Road to Super Top Dog [With CD]

by Trish Marx

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1600601243
• ISBN13: 9781600601248
• Release Date: December 2007
• Publisher: Lee & Low Books
• Length: 56 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.4" x 10.3"
• Age Range: 8 to 14 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 9

Customer Reviews

Reviews from Brizmus Blogs Books

This book is a necessity in libraries in schools in more difficult areas. I think it is a great read for anyone interested in inspirational stories of musicians. What I Have to Say: This book was accompanied by a CD that I listened to before actually reading the book. As such, I went in to the book already impressed. These steel drummers are COOL! And talented. Even if the kind of music they make isn't your cup of tea, it's impossible not to notice that they're good at what they do, not to occasionally find yourself caught up in the beats. I think it was probably smart for me to do it in this order, CD then book. The book starts off with a brief biography of each boy in the steel drum band. Their stories are interesting, but if I hadn't listened to the CD first, it might have been a bit like reading the biography of the singer of a band I'd never heard of. Potentially interesting in general, but without much personal interest for me. After that, the story of these musicians on their quest to Showtime at the Apollo was absolutely FASCINATING and refreshing. I love stories about passionate people, especially when their passion helps them to break free from negative circumstances. And that describes the story perfectly. As such, I think that this book is a necessity in libraries in schools in more difficult areas. And if those schools happen to have music classes, this book is a perfect pick for music teachers to read with their students. It is inspiring and influential. Each page is accompanied by beautiful, glossy color photos that really give the story of this Steel Drumming group a 3D element, and help you really feel as if you are getting to know the band. I would recommend this to everyone, not just students.

Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children

This powerful book takes the reader on an exciting journey from Schenectady, New York to the Apollo Theater in New York City as the Hamilton Hill Street Drum Band tries to become the top act in the Amateur Night competitions. Along the way, we learn about the interesting and diverse backgrounds of the seven band members: Ahmel, Aaron, Spencer, Dayshawn, Andre, Steven, and Dha'Sean. Their family backgrounds, commitment to hard work, and their creativity in music and dance are conveyed through a clever blend of narrative and quotes. Photographs from the boys' childhoods, performances, and jam sessions add to the reader's emerging sense of the valuable roles that family, school, and community have played in their personal development. The accompanying CD (with the band's competition song plus other original tracks by each band member) further helps the reader to experience their talents and energy. The main source of the book's excitement and "can't put down" feel comes from the Apollo Amateur Night competitions and the boys' progression to the final face-off. Woven throughout is a sophisticated set of lessons about working hard, nurturing talents, mentoring, studying, and responding to positive incentives. The book is as meaningful in social studies content as it is rich in artistic expression.

Great for Reluctant Readers!

As an English teacher, I'm always looking for ways to bring nonfiction to my reluctant readers. These are kids who haven't discovered reading for pleasure, and many of them are boys. If I'm lucky, I can sell them on a novel by Walter Dean Myers, Joseph Bruchac, David Lubar, or Jack Gantos...but nonfiction? Good luck. That's why I was so excited to see a review copy of Steel Drumming at the Apollo from Lee & Low Books. It's nonfiction, in the form of a photo essay that follows a group of high school musicians from Schenectady, NY as they compete in a series of Amateur Nights at the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem. As soon as I read the premise of this book, I was hooked -- a group of city high school kids who get to play at a place so rich in history and so symbolic of the Harlem Renaissance. Text by Trish Marx and photographs by Ellen B. Sinisi tell the story in vivid color, featuring details of the competition and the kids' preparation for it, profiles of the young artists, and backstage snapshots at the Apollo. The photographs and text bring the young musicians' steel drumming to life. The book even includes a cd of the band's music, tucked in a pocket inside the back cover. And these kids can play! Their story will be an inspiration to other city kids who dream of making it big. Steel Drumming at the Apollo is a terrific choice for kids who need a fun, accessible introduction to nonfiction. They'll be singing its praises and dancing along as they read.