Copper Sun

My son read this book for 7th grade assignment. The book deals with slavery, rape, and abuse which were disturbing and not age appropriate for 7th grade. I would wait to read this book until high school at least. Book was well written, but disturbing for younger readers.

from the reluctant 8th grader who does not like reading or slavery
this book was good. It gave me a good back bone to the concept of slavery considering i hate anything to DO with the subject and for me to actually read a book on it... and not feel extremely overwhelmed... was a big accomplishment.
the story started with people being kidnapped and the way the author described Amari's feelings toward her captures helped me conect with the characters. but then she switched to Polly, the indentured servant and her piont of view of slavery which i thought was interesting. they soon become friends and both experience the injustice of life in that time including rape, being aligator bait, beatings, being sold, and treated inhumanely. I wont tell you the ending…but it does not satisfy all that well, however leaves you with a sense of hope and the feeling that the inslavement of another human is just plain wrong.
every person who wants information of slavery without the fiction needs to read this book. It will clarify so much.

Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper is a historical fiction book about slavery in 1730s America. The two main characters, Amari and Polly, are two very different girls who come from very different lifestyles.

Amari was born in Africa, in a village next to the Ashanti, to a tribe called Ewe. One day, people with skin "the color of goat's milk” came to her village. The Ewe had a welcoming celebration to honor the guests and show they mant no harm, and as soon as the celebration was over, the white people attacked her village and killed all but those able bodied and of age to work.

Polly is from America. She was raised by parents who did not like slaves and thought that they deserved to work in the fields because they were different. Both of her parents were indentured servants, and when both of them died, Polly inherited the time left on both of their indentures.

Both of them were bought by the same man, Percival Derby. When the girls first met, they were not very fond of each other. They both had different goals and different points of view. Polly didn't care for black people and thought that slavery was doing a favor to the African 'savages’. Amari did not like the white people and how they treated her and her village, and she thought of them as the savages. Polly wanted to work inside the house, and Amari wanted to be free.

When Master Derby's wife gives birth to a black baby, she asks Amari, Polly, and the cook, Teenie to help cover for her and take the baby to a neighboring plantation where it could be safe. Percival eventually comes home and is told his baby was born dead and deformed and that he would not want to see it. His son, Clay, gets the baby from the plantation and brings it to his father, who shoots both the baby and her father. Derby then orders the doctor who was meant to examine the baby to sell Amari, Tidbit, and Polly the next morning. The doctor is an abolitionist and lets them go, giving them a gun and enough gunpowder for one emergency shot.

The night before their departure, an old slave named Cato tells the kids and Teenie about a place in Florida called Fort Mose (mo-zay), a spanish settlement with streets “lined with gold”. He tells them that they don't believe in slavery, and once they reach it they'll be free.

The three of them head for Florida and Fort Mose and the gold paved streets of freedom, going deeper and deeper into the South on their journey. Being all that each other have, Amari and Polly put aside their judgments for the other race to keep each other and Tidbit safe.

This book is great for anyone who would like to learn about the history of slavery-era America. Draper's realistic style of writing makes it feel deeper than what is in history textbooks. Draper also lists some of her sources from her research she did prior to publishing the book in case anyone wants to learn more. Those who enjoy this book and would like to read a true story about a child's escape from freedom should read Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine. A good book for more in-depth reading about African-American history is The Black Book by Middleton A. Harris, Morris, Levitt, and Roger Furman.

This book was actually recommended to me by one of my 8th grade students (I teach 8th grade U.S. History). She is an enrichment student who loves to read. During one of the class changes, she approached me in the hallway and handed me a copy of Copper Sun. She said she thought I would really like it and that I should read it. I decided to give it a try. I started Friday afternoon after school and didn't put it down until after midnight because it was that gripping and exciting to read. It lead me through a bunch of emotions, but I appreciated the views the book gave and the historical accuracy of the time period. I have never read a book that fast or have been pulled into a book that much. The writing is wonderful and the way the characters are written, you instantly fall in love with them and even develop a hatred for some! The author did an amazing job and I will be bragging about this book in all of my classes as well as encouraging all students to read this! I also think it's a good book for families to read because of the discussions you could have, but some of the details can be tough to get through, however, it's history and it's reality, which is good to learn from! I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone, even if it's a young adult book!!!! Happy reading!!!

Amari and Polly, the two main characters of Sharon M. Draper’s book Copper Sun, experience many obstacles throughout their journey at the Derby house. The story begins with Amari’s tribe in Africa being invaded with white men. They kidnap multiple people and terminate the tribe by burning it to the ground. Amari and her soon-to-be husband, Besa, are shoved into a ship that is being sent to America. Upon arrival, they were immediately sent into a slave auction where Amari was sold to Mr. Derby as well as another white slave named Polly. Polly only had around fourteen years left as a slave until she is free. Polly and Amari are complete strangers at first until Polly discovers Amari’s secret that she is being raped by Mr. Derby’s son, Clay.

The relationship between Amari and Polly grow closer throughout their experience at the Derby residence. Mrs. Derby goes into labor and with the help of Amari, Polly and some other slaves. The baby is delivered and isn't and all white baby, Mrs. Derby brought her favorite slave, Noah, to the house when her and Mr. Derby got married and once the baby was born it came out mixed. Mrs. Derby asked the slaves to help her cover up the fact that the baby isn't Mr. Derby's which ended in terrible consequences for many people.

Draper does an amazing job of creating a fictional story and making it seem like you are inside of the story along with the characters. Draper visited Ghana which is where Amari is from which inspired her to write the book Copper Sun. Her experience in Ghana is what helps her writing style be so realistic. Draper writes the story in a way that catches your attention fast as well as leaves you wondering what you would've done in a situation like that. She shows how no matter how dark a situation is, you can never lose hope. In Amari’s case, she was put in an unimaginable situation but was always reminded to never lose hope.

This book grabs your attention almost immediately and holds it for the remainder of the story. This book is a roller coaster of emotions. There are many beautiful moments of happiness as well as sadness and many moments of friendship. Although, there are a few parts where there are instances of death, torture, rape, and much more. There would be scenes that I would consider trigger moments. This book is amazing for high school students especially because it holds your attention as well as teaches you about the pain and misery that a slave goes through and helps you realize how much you really have a life.

Draperis a high school English teacher, therefore, she knows how to relate to a student who struggles with capturing moments that hold their attention. This book is an amazing book for people who cannot hold their attention span for long amounts of time due to the fact that it is action and emotion driven. Copper Sun thrives with intensity of friendship and help making this book one that everybody should experience when feeling like you don't have enough, you realize that others have it worse.

Amari, 15 and her younger brother Kwasi enjoy their life in a rural village in Africa. Members of the Ewe tribe, Amari and her family describe the fruits, meats and drum culture that is part of their lives in Africa in 1738.

Amari has been betrothed to Besa, a member of a neighboring tribal village. Kwasi enjoys poking good natured fun at Amari for having a crush and being delighted with her impending match.

The lives of the Africans changes the day the "pale faced strangers" with "skin the color of goat's milk" arrive. Amari, fascinated by people who look so different from any she has ever known is all too eager to spread the word about the villagers. Her father, a kind man welcomes the newcomers with a specially prepared meal and a special drum introduction. Amari and Kwasi help their mother prepare the food. Kwasi especially loves darting about in the forest and climbing trees to gather fruits.

Amari's father, a gifted weaver and story teller regales the newcomers with stories of tribal history. Drum music and dancing ensue and Amari is impressed with her father's facility for langugage.

Drum beats are replaced by gunshots; several of the newcomers shoot the villagers. Several Ashanti members signal to the newcomers to make their move and claim people for slaves. Amari is the only surviving member of her family. She flees into the woods, only to be captured and led in a slave chain. The slave march takes several days.

Once the party reaches the coast, Amari sees the ocean for the very first time. That view is short lived as she and the rest of the captives are forced into a locked hut until a slave ship arrives. Once the ship arrives, the surviving members of that Trail of Tears are boarded below decks, wedged into shelf-like bunks. No provisions are made for hygiene and people are forced to lie in their own waste and body fluids.

Hunger and thirst are constant; the women are forced to spend the nights with the sailors who degrade them. One kind sailor named Bill teaches Amari some English words; only he does not subject her to torture and abuse. Afi, a kind motherly woman takes Amari under her wing and praises her for her strength, her survival spirit.

Once on board in South Carolina, the slaves are placed on the auction block and sold. A cruel man named Mr. Derby buys Amari for his son as a 16th birthday present. The boy, overfed with a sense of entitlement is rude and unpleasant to all, especially his stepmother, a kind woman who does not support slavery.

Survival is a daily challenge on the Derby Rice Plantation. Polly, an indentured Anglo-American girl Amari's age becomes an ally as well as Teenie, a kind kitchen slave and her son Tidbit, 4. These 4 form a bond and daily learn the rules of the new land so as to survive.

They get their chance to prove their mettle and readers will hang on to every page to see what decisions they make. An excellent historical novel, readers learn about Ft. Mose, in what is now St. Augustine, Florida and the history behind the place. Readers are drawn to the abolitionists and learn about the atrocities committed on slaves.

Sharon Draper is a genius and a gifted story teller. She is the granddaughter of a freed slave and so, this story comes from her heart. She even includes a list of resources that she used to help her in her research and the result is this stellar masterpiece of a book. I highly recommend this for all families and schools. Amari's story is really everybody's story. It is about the holocaust of the antebellum (pre Civil War) years and about the resiliency of the human spirit and that good people DO make a difference.

Please read this. You will be glad you did.

*Note: Sculptor Eddie Dixon made many statues depicting the Afro-Seminoles, who later sought asylum in Mexico. Many Afro-Seminole unions took place in Ft. Moze.

Copper Sun is the story Amari, a fifteen year old African girl in the early 1700s. Slave traders raid her village, kill her family and capture Amari. After a harrowing journey across the ocean on a slave ship, she arrives in the Carolinas where she is purchased by a cruel plantation owner as a present for his sixteen year old son.

On the plantation she makes friends with Polly, a white, fifteen year old indentured servant. One day a chance opens up for Polly and Amari to escape the plantation and they take it. They hope to make it to the Spanish colony of Fort Mose, Florida but the journey is a long and perilous one.

This book is written for high school students but it doesn't sugar coat the harsh reality of the time at all. It's even brave enough to acknowledge that female slaves were raped by their owners but the concept is presented in a manner that's appropriate for the intended audience. This was a hard read - the way slaves were treated was simply horrible. It's so realistic - no matter how well things are going for Amari, she longs to go back to living with her family in Africa. (I detest stories about this time period that suppose that slaves who had kindly plantation owners didn't have that bad of a life.) The author did extensive research to write this book and although fiction, it's historically accurate as to what kinds of things were happening during the time period.

This book is a Coretta Scott King Award winner which is an award that recognizes outstanding African American authors and illustrators. It's awarded for young adult and children's books about the African American experience. Even though the subject matter was tough, I loved this book and I could not put it down.

A terrible subject about a terrible time. Sharon M. Draper's COPPER SUN, tells the Journey of Amari a fifteen year old girl taken from her African village and subjected to the most humiliating treatment as she struggled to make sense of a people whose idea of humanity was to enslave others.

Along the way, she reluctantly befriends a Polly a white indentured servant and she and little tidbit, the son of a slave who stayed behind to save him, a ragged but faithful puppy escape a plantation so vile that even the white servant knows that if they stayed they would surely die.

Traveling along dusty dark and dangerous roads, they head south NOT NORTH as most escaped slave were want to do, heading toward a haven for escaped and freed slaves.
At every turn the small band is subjected to treachery, pain and degradation.
But in any bad situation there is a modicum of good and they run into several people who are willing to help them, even while some still hold the ideology of slavery as a way of life.

This book engages the reader into the horrible world of shackles and hell, and all the while pushing toward freedom. Even though each has lost everything they ever held dear and through a tenacity of will find a kind of freedom.
The reader will find themselves deeply immersed into the lives of these three who through struggled against the odds of a decadent nation to find new lives.
The struggles although different, remain, then and now.

I wish that Sharon Draper would write about 50 more historical fiction young adult novels, all on topics that I want to explore. "Copper Sun" is an incredible novel about a brave girl's experience of the Middle Passage and slavery.

Amari's village is raided by slaver traders and her family is killed. This pivotal event sets her on a journey across the Atlantic Ocean to South Carolina. Part One of the novel describes Amari's struggles to survive on this horrific journey. I appreciate that Draper chose to have Amari suffer in realistic ways: she is not spared from rape, she feels hopeless and suicidal, she has lost everything. It is important for readers to know that these events really occurred and Draper writes with finesse.

The second part of the novel focuses on Amari's life as a slave at Derbyshire Farms. There is a lot of action and plot development which keeps the reader interested, as well as many shocking chapter endings. The chapters are very short, which allows the reader to feel accomplished and entices them to keep reading `one more chapter' until the wee hours of the morning. Likewise, the narrative shifts between Amari and Polly, an indentured servant, gives the reader a window into the experiences of a poor white girl on a plantation.

"Copper Sun" is an excellent novel to bridge social studies and English curriculum. It builds an incredible amount of background knowledge in a fun and exciting way.

This was definitely a very interesting book. Probably the best words to describe is where, it held nothing back. Don’t get me wrong, this was an incredible book! It had great writing, great characters, but most importantly it had something most books have trouble achieving. A believable story. You see, without revealing too much, this book is set in the 1920’s and follows the tragic, hellish, but at the same time, incredibly believable story of a indian girl named Amari. And as the book goes forward the readers, mainly early teenagers who have believed that america was always this beautiful, welcoming place since it’s creation learn that that’s almost never been true. As we see the completely innocent african americans get raped, branded, starved, abused, and treated as animals or savages that deserve less rights than dogs. However it also shows that not everyone thought this way, as we see people try to teach the slaves english, give them food and water, and give them hope. There's a saying out there,” If you're not ashamed of your countries history, then you don’t know your countries history.” I would heavily recommend this book to people curious about the day to day life of southern slaves and teachers wishing to teach the horrors of slavery to their students. Be warned though, this book touches on some very, very, VERY mature themes, and holds nothing back when talking about them, I would not read this or give this to a person unless they're 13 or older, or they’re at least in middle school and you think they’re mature enough to handle the horrors of slavery in the 1920’s.

My final rating: 9/10

THIS IS A MUST READ!!! Mrs. Draper has true writing skills that worked magic throughout this book. This book is classified for young adults but everyone should read it young and old alike. Mrs. Draper takes you from the very beginning with Amari playing with her brother in Africa, to being captured at the hands of her own neighboring tribe. From the horrible boat ride to America, (in vivid detail) to Amari being sold to a plantation owner for his son's sixteenth birthday present. Amari is left in the hands of a white indentured servant girl about her age to be made "civilized." You will have to read it for yourself to see what happens from here, you will not be disappointed! I was full of so many emotions, happy, sad, angry, I found myself ranting aloud a couple of times. This book is not predictable by far; I found it hard to put down. I rarely take books to work with me in fear of reading them and I just could not leave this book at home! This book offered me knowledge and understanding and for that I am grateful.

Continued success to you Mrs. Draper.

Fifteen-year-old Amari loves life in her home village in Africa. She spends her days strolling along the stream, daydreaming about her handsome future husband, teasing her little brother, and avoiding chores. But everything changes the day the pale-faced visitors arrive.

Everyone contributes for the celebration to welcome the strangers. Amari helps her mother arrange the food, her storyteller father shares his tales, her fiancé plays his drum, and everyone dances. But then their world shatters as the strangers begin killing the adults and young children. Amari stands stunned as her parents drop dead from gunfire. Her little brother urges her to run into the jungle for safety; they try, only for Amari to be captured and her brother to be shot dead.

The nightmare continues as Amari and the other young people find themselves chained together and forced to walk for days. At the coast, Amari views the ocean for the first time and most of her friends for the last time. Packed tightly into ships, Amari's people endure horrific conditions: hunger, thirst, sickness, lying in their own waste, and rape. More die and are tossed overboard, but Amari survives with encouragement from a woman named Afi, who tells Amari that she has to live; Amari has a purpose in life and she must find hope. But hope is the last thing to be found on a slave ship, and that is what Amari has become --- a slave.

Upon arrival in America, Amari is sold to the highest bidder, a rice grower wanting a birthday present for his son. Soon Amari meets Polly, a white girl indentured to the same rice grower. The two girls from different ends of the earth bond together in order to survive, and their friendship just might help them fight their way to freedom.

Sharon Draper is the granddaughter of a former slave, so this tale must hold a special place in her heart. She tells the story of Amari with such powerful description that it almost feels as if the reader was right there in the nightmare. It is so hard to comprehend how humans were once bought, sold, owned, and degraded in a country that stands for freedom. This painfully honest novel brings back the past so that people will never forget.

--- Reviewed by Chris Shanley Dillman, author

While in 8th grade, my son was assigned this book by his English teacher. It was outside the usual reading curriculum but had struck a chord with the teacher and thus was assigned. After he read it, my son recommended I read it as well, so I finally did. Let me tell you, I absolutely LOVED this book! It is a very in-depth story about the struggles of slaves (as well as white, indentured servants). It's a brilliant tale of strength and survival and rising up to beat all odds. I highly recommend reading this regardless of whether the subject matter interests you or not. I can't imagine you'd be disappointed. My eyes were definitely opened.

There has never been a better book about slavery than Copper Sun, though you go through some disgusting times with Amari you find the most painful thing is that actual people were treated like that! Draper is so wonderful in her writing, telling us exactly what it was like for Amari and I really felt like I was standing right next to her through the whole experience. Speaking of whole experience that's exactly what it is...the book starts in her home in Africa and we travel with here through the capturing of her and family members, the trip over seas, the slave action and her new home and ***spoilers (sort of)*** her final desicion! Great book HIGHLY recommend it to anyone.

Copper Sun is an amazing work of historical fiction by Sharon Draper. From its very first pages, Draper pulls the reader into the vibrant and and loving world of 15-year-old Amari who lives in the African village of Ziavi with her parents and little brother, Kwasi. All is perfect in Amari's world, as she finds joy and beauty in everything she sees and does.

However, it is not long before Besa, Amari's fiance, delivers news that pale-faced strangers are making their way to their village, and he expresses his concerns to Amari. Amari and the rest of her village brush off Besa's ominous feelings and greet the strangers with food, drink, music and dance. As the celebration is at its peak - gunshots ring out, and chaos ensues as the pale-faced white men slaughter or enslave the villagers. Amari watches in horror as her world comes crashing down around her and her life changes forever.

Copper Sun is a fast-paced, gripping account of the slave trade during the 1700's. Its amazing detail and continuous plot twists will have you turning the pages well into the night. A wonderful integration of history and fiction, Draper does an amazing job connecting you to characters who, although fictional, could really have existed. Not only does Draper include the narrative of the African slave - but she also includes the lives of white women whose lives were similarly controlled by white men. Draper's extensive research makes the reality and shocking horrors of the slave trade come to life in your hands.

Be prepared for a powerful, emotional ride that won't quite leave you with that "and they all lived happily ever after" feeling.

Copper Sun
By Sharon Draper
Coretta Scott King Award

Copper Sun is an inspirational and emotional story of a 15 year old girl named Amari, whose joyous and happy life with her family in Africa comes to a tragic end when she is captured and sold as a slave to a plantation owner for his sons sixteenth birthday; when she arrives she meets an indentured servant named Polly and the two form a bond and a plan to escape this awful life they are being forced to live. Amari is an optimistic young girl who loves life and dreaming of the future, and to hear of her devastating fight brings sadness, inspiration, and thankfulness to your heart. At such a young age Amari had to witness brutal murders, was chained, beaten, raped and abused. To hear her heart touching story gives you courage and a new profound thankfulness to life. Amari is an optimistic young girl who loves life and dreaming of the future, and to hear of her devastating fight brings sadness, inspiration, and thankfulness to your heart. This historical fiction takes you on a journey through not only Amari's pain but the pain of that time period; with Drapers amazing writing skills and vivid details, it is easy to say you will get lost in this book and won't want to put it down!

This was an amazing story of loss, pain and hope. It provided a very detailed account of slavery from the viewpoint point of Amari. Being African American it was very hard to read but extremely informative and heartfelt. I ❤️ this book!!

If you all have not checked out Sharon Draper yet, you should. I've only read two books by her, but they have both been phenomenal. Her writing touches my heart. This book had superb writing, believable characters that you rooted for, and really drew me in. It's great for lovers of historical fiction. I felt like I learned a lot, too.

I bought this book because

a) I love Sharon Draper (Forged by Fire is my favorite!)

b) I bought it when Sharon Draper came to Cleveland for a book signing

Ms. Draper has been writing this book for about 10 years. Unlike her other books, this one is historical fiction. It follows Amari, a 15yr old from West Africa, specifically the Gold Coast/ Ghana, who is sold into slavery in the Carolinas before the revolutionary war.

It also looks closely at Polly, an indentured servant for the same man that owns Amari. (Amari has been bought specifically as a toy for a 16yr old boy.)

Through the sharing of painful experiences, Polly and Amari become friends and decide to escape together.

This book has a very powerful message to it. This made me think about all the things that I take for granted. With Amari being fifteen, I can relate to her. Usually you can not find books like this now a days. This book makes me think more about how lucky I am and how there are kids in the world that aren't as fortunate as I am. Sharon knows how to grab the readers attention. My friends and I are not big readers and we thought this book was good, and it is one of the very few books that we can stand to read. Drapers knows how to catch your wondering eye because when I saw this book on the the store website I wanted to read it and I was not really interested in reading any other books.

I recommend this book to all of those people out there that do not like to read. Even though this book is a long one you do not get board with it you are interested with in the very first paragraph and Amari talking about her homeland Africa and about her family.

This book is a good one to read and I hope all of you enjoy my review, and reading this book.

Copper Sun is nothing of a diluted representation of the African experience in the Carolinas, but rather the raw history of the Atlantic slave trade through the eyes of an adolescent. Draper paints a clear picture of the brutalities endured by African slaves as she tells the story of one teen's capture and horrific journey from the West African coast to a plantation in Charles Town during the 18th century. Based on true events, Copper Sun is embedded with plenty of supporting historical details, multidimensional characters, and subplots that encourage great classroom discussion. Through it all, Draper carries a sentiment of positivity and courage through Amari, the main character, who is determined to free her soul which has been bound by slavery. Overall, Copper Sun communicates the deliberate destruction of African cultures and the perpetual inequalities of Africans in colonial America; but, with added adventure and relatable themes (i.e. friendship, discrimination), the story comes alive for young readers. A must read for any Social Studies teacher!

Title: Copper Sun
Author: Sharon Draper
Publisher and Date: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2006
Flesh Kincaid Reading Level: 6.6
Pages: 302
Genre: Historical Fiction

Copper Sun is the story of a 15-year old girl named Amari who lives in an African village named Ziavi. She enjoys spending time with her eight-year-old brother Kwasi and her boyfriend Besa. She is very happy with her life until her village is invaded by pale-skinned men accompanied by warriors from another African tribe, the Ashanti. Her village is burned down and many of the villagers are slaughtered, including her whole family. All the while, Amari is astonished that people from her own land could be helping the pale strangers destroy her village. She sees the shame in her boyfriend's eyes as he is shackled and taken aboard a slave ship. She experiences a feeling of intense loss as she realizes her family has been taken from her and now she is being sold into slavery. She deals with abuse and cruelty in numerous ways, and at times feels as if all hope is lost. However, Amari is a fighter and she endures all of the cruelties of slavery without giving up.

The story follows Amari as she is captured, taken on a ship across the Middle Passage, and brought to America as a slave. When she arrives in South Carolina she is auctioned off and sold to a plantation owner as a birthday present for his son. While at the auction, the plantation owner also buys a young, white indentured servant named Polly. Polly imagines her life as a servant in the main house of the master and is disappointed to find out she will be working with Amari in the fields and living in the slave quarters. Polly initially is prejudiced toward Africans, but over time she and Amari become friends. They also build close relationships with the plantation cook, Teenie, and her son Tidbit. Teenie helps Amari through the difficult times on the plantation, including being abused by Clay, the plantation owner's son.

Clay's stepmother is the only white person on the plantation who shows any sympathy for the slaves. Soon Amari finds out that she has a relationship with one of the slaves. This begins a plot twist with so many surprises that I do not want to spoil it for you! Soon Amari, Polly and Tidbit get a chance to escape from the plantation. The last third of the book follows them on their journey to find Fort Mose, where there is a community for runaway slaves.

Chapter's alternate between Amari's perspective and Polly's perspective which gives the book an interesting twist. Although the book may seem long for some young adult readers it has so many plot twists and surprises that it will keep you reading. Draper's story provides a detailed and realistic description of life during slavery with fictional characters that draw you in and a fast-pace that makes the story readable for any young adult, whether studying slavery or not.

Who knew when I was walking through the library for a wonderful book, a page turner, a book I couldn't put down that Copper Sun would be it. Sharon Draper is a wonderful author, so I knew when I seen she wrote it it would be wonderful. The story is of Amari's life from going to her village in Africa to the Carolina's in America. You see when she learns english, to meeting other slaves at the plantation. Her master is the head masters son Clay. Clay is a sick individual, he plays with Amari's mind, and is very cruel to the other slaves. Amari befriends a girl Polly. Polly is a white girl whose working on the plantation as a slave as well, to help pay off her parents debt to Master Derby. Master Derby has a wife whose pregnant, the surprise of the babies birth and what happens after it will stun you. The way Draper wrote this book was magnificant in everyway possible. Draper was very selective on what words she used to describe each scene. As you read the book, it's like you see it all happening. Copper Sun is one of those books you can't put down. It has characters you'll just fall in love with, and characters that make you sick. I would recommend this book to anyone that's interested in historical fiction books. I would read this book again and again, and it would never get old.

After reading Copper Sun by Sharon Draper everything has been put into perspective. Of course I knew what slavery was and how terrible it was but reading this really shined a light on what most people don't know. At times it was very hard to read because of the disturbing content but it sure did make you think. I really felt like I got to know the main characters, Polly and Amari. Reading Amaris journey from Africa really made me feel emotionally attached to her. Polly first appeared as very rude but as her and Amari got closer I grew to really respect Polly. It was interesting to see the cruelty in many of the slave owners and men on the ship. It was almost like they thought the African Americans didn't have souls. Even though Amari and the other slaves were treated horribly I feel like it did make them stronger which was for the good. I definitely recommend this book for anyone that is curious to learn more about slavery. It's a really great read!

From the moment the first line was finished, I was captured to the story. It was very hard to hear through the majority, I was angry, sad, frustrated, happy for any little meager piece of relief and finally I sighed. I wondered what then? Not a "feely goodie" time story, but to know what one can endure just to live, is remarkable. Will keep it in mind when I'm whining. Loved the images.

Hello Everyone...I am an 8th grade English teacher and I just finished reading Sharon Draper's "Copper Sun." I almost don't have words to describe how amazing it was. If you are a teacher, you will accrue many cool points from your students if you read this book with them. It is action packed, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Please read this whether you have children/students or not! It has completely enriched my life, and made me even more proud of the African American race's diligence, determination, and strength.

"Copper Sun" was full of historical and realistic action. It has a lot of describing words and is a very detailing book. This book is very realistic. The main character goos through a lot of adventures. This book has a little too much action, so that's why I recommend it for 5th grade and up. It also has some advanced words.

Copper Sun was an exceptional book. I completely fell in love with it. The characters were well developed, the plot wasn't very predictable, and it gave me a sense of awe and wonder when I finished it. The book is under the genre of historical fiction and is about a 15 year old slave girl who was captured and sold into slavery from her native home in Africa. However, this isn't your typical fly-away-to-freedom slavery book. Amari, the main character, was raped and brutally beaten before she escaped to freedom with her white friend and a young boy. Sharon Draper offers two perspectives-that of Amari and of her white comrad Polly. Ironically instead of escaping to the North, they escape to the South where a non-discriminatory fort exists. There all are free and equal which is extremely uncommon during the year 1738. I won't tell anymore-you have to read it for yourself!

Powerful, life-changing, and a must read, "Copper Sun" gives a vicarious account of what life must have been like during the slave era.
For Amari, her life in Africa was peaceful and happy until she was kidnapped to be sold as a slave. Upon arriving in America, she was bought as a "birthday present" for the plantations sixteen year old son--what an OUTRAGE! She begins life on the plantation helping cook, among her "duties" for Clay. "Copper Sun" gives insight to the hardships that all slaves endured and this books accounts are heart-wrenching.
This story will keep your adrenaline flowing, at times your eyes crying, and renew your belief in the power of the human spirit--I couldn't put it down--I read it from cover to cover.
Sharon Draper has become my "new" favorite author.

Sharon Draper is one of my favorite authors. Each and every single one of her books that I've read so far are far beyond the work of a novice author. Her writing is exquisite and one-of-a-kind. I first read 'Copper Sun' a year ago and I could not put the book down! It was one of the only books I have ever had emotion for the characters. I could not predict what was going to happen like i can with most other books. It describes the details of slavery so vibrantly that it was like i was right alongside Amari. This book is a MUST HAVE for all teenage and young adults. I couldn't recommend it more. Kudos, Sharon Draper!

Copper Sun is an amazing story told from the view of an African slave and an indentured servant. The relationship between these two characters is intriguing. To read and see how an African overcomes hatred and learns to love this indentured servant, and how their two worlds collide. I would like to give a bit of warning, this book is not for the faint hearted. Like many other slave narratives, this story talks in detail the various atrocities that slaves and indentured servants faced including rape.

This realistic but gruesome story relates to our history about plantation life and slave trade.AS Amari is minding her own business and strolling along the village , she is then intruded by a visitor and that is when she lost everyone she loved. Copper Sun]]