Stolen from her village, sold to the highest bidder,
fifteen-year-old Amari has only one thing left of her own — hope.
reviews
Oct 19, 2011
Terry
rated it: 
There are few books I recommend without hesitation, and this is one them. For years, Gary Paulsen's Night John has been one of the titles I try to lead all high school students to. I think Copper Sun is better. As others have mentioned, it isn't a pleasant read at times, but it is absolutely honest in its rendition of a slice of American history. I hope many people, teens and adults, will read it and consider how the past isn't dead; we all live within its long shadow.
More...
0 comments
like
(5 people liked it)
Jun 05, 2008
Hazel
rated it:
Sharon Draper's Copper Sun tells a riveting story of an African girl , named Amari , living in Africa who has everything going her way. She's engaged to the most handsome man in the village , her father is a chief , and she loves her family. It seems that nothing could go wrong until white-skinned strangers arrive in seemingly good intentions of making friends and trading. When there is a bursting sound of a gun shot and everything turns into a chaotic mess of smoke and dust as everyone in t
More...
Jun 21, 2008
Jean
rated it: 
This novel detailing the experience of an African slave in the 1700's was a page turner for me. I sat down to read a few chapters and finished it in one reading. It explores many aspects of slavery beyond the African experience including indentured servants and the status of women in the past. Most of the historical information (much of which is horribly disturbing) was not new to me, but I had never heard of Fort Mose (sanctuary for runaways in Florida) before. Though this was a work of his
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 20, 2011
Jennifer
rated it: 
Reviewed by Cana Rensberger for TeensReadToo.com
have been a fan of Sharon M. Draper for some time. She is a master at writing realistic fiction. COPPER SUN is her first historical fiction and it is amazing -- as well as frighteningly authentic.
This book follows the trials and tribulations of Amari, a fifteen-year-old African maiden. After witnessing the slaughter of both the old and young in her African village, including her parents and her young brother, she is chained More...
have been a fan of Sharon M. Draper for some time. She is a master at writing realistic fiction. COPPER SUN is her first historical fiction and it is amazing -- as well as frighteningly authentic.
This book follows the trials and tribulations of Amari, a fifteen-year-old African maiden. After witnessing the slaughter of both the old and young in her African village, including her parents and her young brother, she is chained More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 29, 2007
Toughlove
rated it:
Copper Sun by Sharon Drapper, is an exciting, intense, and very descriptive book. The main character is a girl named Amari. She was taken from her village in Africa, after all her friends and family were killed by slave hunters. The only person, who watched over her, was an old woman which she called Afi. This is a story that tells about what Amari had to go through, and how she dealt with it. I loved this book, I couldn’t put it down, it told about the journey from the village, to the ship, a
More...
2 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Feb 03, 2008
Terrell
rated it:
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 visitors arrive. Her world changes forever 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 Ama More...
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 Ama More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Aug 19, 2008
Brooke
rated it:
I read this because it's on a high school summer reading list in Philadelphia this summer. It captured me from the start! Both heart-breaking and inspiring, this book of historical fiction follows Amari, an African girl from her life in Africa to her life as a slave in the South. The story is also interesting because it includes Polly, an indentured white girl. While critics have stated that the bond Amari and Polly eventually develop is unrealistic, I, for one, believe that racial reconcili
More...
Jan 03, 2012
Busy
rated it:
While I knew the novel was about a young African-American girl who was taken from her village, nothing could have prepared me for the horrific journey I was about to take. Copper Sun definitely exceeded my expectations in many ways. The main character, Amari, is a young girl living a very happy life full of promise until slave traders invade her village and brutally murder her entire family. Amari is enslaved and taken to the Carolinas. Readers travel with Amari and are able to look inside her m
More...
Mar 05, 2009
Franprather
rated it:
I attended Draper's session at the International Reading Association National Convention last week. She mentioned that Copper Sun is being taught in conjuction with Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, which I have used with sophomores in World Literature, so I was intrigued.
The book follows Amari as slave traders destroy her home, she survives the trip over on the slave ship, and how she manages to survive as a slave in the US in the 1700s. It refers to her constant rape by white men, th More...
The book follows Amari as slave traders destroy her home, she survives the trip over on the slave ship, and how she manages to survive as a slave in the US in the 1700s. It refers to her constant rape by white men, th More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 29, 2009
This book was about a African girl named Amari who lived peacefully in her village, untill the pale strangers came. It was from there her life changed, her village was killed, except for a few survivors but they were captured and shipped to the New Land. On the ship Amari was raped and so were the other women. Once the journey on the ship was over, they were auctioned off and another was about to begin. Amari s sold he Mr. Derby who was a very strict master. She decides to run away with her
More...
Jan 27, 2009
Ash R.
rated it:
This book, Copper Sun, is a awesome book about 2 girls Amari, a brought to America to be a slave, and Polly an industrial servant. This book is about how they both had to put color and where they came from aside, and work their way out together and escape from their mean master Mr. Derby and Clay. They learn lessons such as, keep hope, be self reliant, stand up for your rights, and how people are so dis criminal to others. These lessons bring Polly, Amari, and Tidbit (another slaves son)to a new
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 27, 2009
Jason_W.
rated it:
The book Copper Sun is about a girl named Amari. Amari is an African who is taken away from her village to be a slave in America. She is sold at America and meets many people such as an indentured servant named Polly, another slave named Teenie and her child Tidbit. Through her hardships at America she has to face the threats of cruel owners and runs away to avoid it and gain freedom.
I can connect to the world how there is racism and people separate themselves to races and act diffe More...
I can connect to the world how there is racism and people separate themselves to races and act diffe More...
Jan 15, 2009
Jamie
rated it:
This amazing book is about a teenage Ashanti girl from Africa named Amari. Amari was about to get married when strangely dressed whites came in and killed her family. She got branded and sold as a slave where she met an indentured servant named Polly. The girls soon became close friends as they ran off towards the south along with Amari's owner's cooks son Tidbit. Amari, Polly, and Tidbit endure hunger and heartache, but the story ends on a happy note.
I can relate to Amari and maki More...
I can relate to Amari and maki More...
Jan 07, 2009
K8
rated it:
That is how I feel after finishing Sharon Draper's YA novel Copper Sun. Blessed to have read such a beautifully written piece of historical fiction charting the devastating passage of Amari into slavery, following the trauma of the middle passage, her purchase by a plantation owner as a birthday present for his 16 year old son, and the inhuman treatment throughout. And yet I am scarred for the same reason. The book is brutal, but it is beautiful too.
I'm glad I read this. I had been put More...
I'm glad I read this. I had been put More...
Feb 12, 2012
Emma
rated it:
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 worl More...
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 worl More...
Jan 10, 2012
Courtney
rated it:
I'm not going to write a lengthy review here but I would like to mention why this book got 4 stars instead of 5. I felt this book was very similar to other books that talk about the slavery in America. It kind of reminded me of Uncle Tom's Cabin in more ways than one. I felt the story was well written but there was one bad thing that happened after another after another. It was because of that I didn't feel I had time to bond with the characters as well. In a story like this one it would not
More...
Nov 22, 2011
June
rated it:
From the moment the first line was finished, I was captured. This is my first read of author Sharon Draper and will not be my last. The story is an emotional ride, and very hard to read...I was angry, sad, frustrated, happy for any little meager piece of relief and finally I sighed. Not a "feely goodie" time story, but to know what one can endure just to live, is remarkable. Will keep that in mind when I'm whining.
The story is of Amari a 15 year old African. Ms. Draper gives More...
The story is of Amari a 15 year old African. Ms. Draper gives More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jun 07, 2011
Latroy
rated it:
I have recently read the book “Copper Sun” written by Sharon .M. Draper. I really enjoyed reading this book. The book leaves you with a mixture of feelings. If I had to give this book a rating out of 5 stars, I would give it 4.5 stars. I like how the author gives you two points of views. The author tells the story through the two main characters, Polly and Amari. This shows you how other characters are thinking in the story.
The two things I liked the most in this book was the conflicts More...
The two things I liked the most in this book was the conflicts More...
Jun 06, 2011
Hector
rated it:
I like this book that I read in my English class this year. I give it a 5 star because it went in to lots of detail and I like reading book like that they show how they feel and like how they show how the characters feel.
The most that I enjoyed off this book is the resolution they got so mad of how they were being treated and they went off and escaped and headed south for freedom for no one can tell them what to do all they got to do is work very hard and make money for they can live. Also More...
The most that I enjoyed off this book is the resolution they got so mad of how they were being treated and they went off and escaped and headed south for freedom for no one can tell them what to do all they got to do is work very hard and make money for they can live. Also More...
Jun 03, 2011
Jomary
rated it:
Copper sun book is a book which I would give 5 of 5 stars. Copper Sun is an example of this quote which it says the one who perseveres reaches their dreams. this is a great saying that the book found that if it's true.
What I like about this book is that it teaches many things about life. that people are not owned by anyone hat they simply are people who deserve to live like others. The themes are that even though she had no strength to carry on her escape, she had More...
Jun 01, 2011
Davidray
rated it:
What you liked
What you did not like
Discuss at least 2 of the following: characterization, conflict, resolution, theme, irony, injustices, setting
I give this book a 5 out 5 because I like how the author wrote the book .
The main part I like about this book is that it had a lot of cliff hanger twisted and turns and I liked how when you got to see how life was from both points of views such as amari and polly like a couple of chapter would be from Amari view of l More...
What you did not like
Discuss at least 2 of the following: characterization, conflict, resolution, theme, irony, injustices, setting
I give this book a 5 out 5 because I like how the author wrote the book .
The main part I like about this book is that it had a lot of cliff hanger twisted and turns and I liked how when you got to see how life was from both points of views such as amari and polly like a couple of chapter would be from Amari view of l More...
Dec 27, 2010
Lois
rated it:
Booktalk:
Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper
Sharon Draper knows how to grab her readers!
Amari is a 15-year-old African girl who is happily anticipating her marriage to Besa. When slavers arrive in her Ewe village, they are given a traditional welcome, but soon Amari hears an explosion followed by the sight of the chief with "a huge red bleeding hole in the center of his chest." Soon there is confusion as the village is under attack. Amiri's world is shattered. More...
Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper
Sharon Draper knows how to grab her readers!
Amari is a 15-year-old African girl who is happily anticipating her marriage to Besa. When slavers arrive in her Ewe village, they are given a traditional welcome, but soon Amari hears an explosion followed by the sight of the chief with "a huge red bleeding hole in the center of his chest." Soon there is confusion as the village is under attack. Amiri's world is shattered. More...
Jun 17, 2010
Jasmine
rated it:
Draper did a wonderful job with Copper Sun. The story gives the reader just enough: a non-fiction, historical element mixed in with a fictional plot. As historical fiction stories tend to do, I was both taught and entertained by this book.
Draper takes you on a journey with an African girl, Amari. Just like any other teenager, she has a family, with chores, and a love interest. Living in her village, she has everything she needs and she is happy. But when the slave trade and the white More...
Draper takes you on a journey with an African girl, Amari. Just like any other teenager, she has a family, with chores, and a love interest. Living in her village, she has everything she needs and she is happy. But when the slave trade and the white More...
Apr 10, 2010
Sunday
rated it:
I have avoided this book for a long time, not wanting to read about the conditions on the slave ship and the conditions of slavery in the colonies during this period - 1730s. I finally listened to it on audio tape and I'm so glad I did. It was gripping. You can read the summaries of it on Amazon.
I was fascinated by what I didn't know and kept wondering about Sharon Draper's extensive research on this topic, wanting to take her out for coffee and drill her with a bunch of questions. The boo More...
I was fascinated by what I didn't know and kept wondering about Sharon Draper's extensive research on this topic, wanting to take her out for coffee and drill her with a bunch of questions. The boo More...
Mar 29, 2010
Name: Adeola Adewale Hour: 5th
SSR: Book-A-Month
What month did you read this book for? March
Title: Copper Sun
Author: Sharon Draper
Date started/date completed: 3/5- 3/29
Total Pages: 306
Rating of book (1-10): 8
Briefly summarize the book:
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 More...
SSR: Book-A-Month
What month did you read this book for? March
Title: Copper Sun
Author: Sharon Draper
Date started/date completed: 3/5- 3/29
Total Pages: 306
Rating of book (1-10): 8
Briefly summarize the book:
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 More...
Oct 06, 2009
Slavery brought so many tears and was a hard time for everyone. In the story Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper slavery was the main conflict. Amari was a young girl who had to watch the death of her family and was taken away to become a slave. As she was taken to many places she finally met afi, an older woman who took care of her and made her a stronger person. After being molested and abused by the sailors on the death ship she never gave up. When Amari was sold to the Derbyshire farms, she met P
More...
Sep 13, 2009
Copper Sun is about a girl who was once a free girl to roam and do whaever she wanted in her land of Africa until some white americans invaded her land and killed all of her people and was taken to become a slave. On her adventure she met Afi who reminded her of her mother and kind of helped her through the ship ride to America. Amari was rapped and beat and kind of grew stronger but she didn't know what was ahead of her. She got to America and was bought by a man named Mr. Derby but she wasnt f
More...
Aug 31, 2009
It was the greatest book about slavery I ever read .Copper Sun takes place in the mid 1700's. It is the story of how a young African teen's life is turned upside down in an instant. It is the story of her struggle to become free and to come out on the other end stronger. It is the story of survival.Amari is a 15 year old girl in an African village. She has only known her village, and the occasional skirmish between her tribe and that of local tribesmen. That has been the extent of violence in he
More...
Aug 18, 2009
Poorfish
rated it:
Historical fiction is tough to write, it is probably even more challenging to write with the young adult in mind. An author has to try to keep the story compelling while pacifying the fact checkers and history police. Sharon Draper seems to have focused less on the latter and more on crafting a fast-paced, interesting narrative. I guess when your audience is primarily youth this is probably a wiser and more lucrative decision.
The pace of Copper Sun is nonstop. The narrative never h More...
The pace of Copper Sun is nonstop. The narrative never h More...
Aug 15, 2009
Copper Sun by Sharon Draper is set back in the times of slavery. Amari, a young girl in Ghana is as happy as can be surrounded by family, friends, and her fiancé Besa. Then one night strangers with "skin the colour of goat's milk" come. The people of the tribe welcome them warmly and have a celebration. The white men and some people of the Ashanti tribe start to attack. They kill almost everyone, including Amari's parents and little brother. She, Besa, and a few others are taken.
More...
