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Copper Sun Hardcover – January 1, 2006
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In this “searing work of historical fiction” (Booklist), Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Sharon M. Draper tells the epic story of a young girl torn from her African village, sold into slavery, and stripped of everything she has ever known—except hope.
Amari's life was once perfect. Engaged to the handsomest man in her tribe, adored by her family, and fortunate enough to live in a beautiful village, it never occurred to her that it could all be taken away in an instant. But that was what happened when her village was invaded by slave traders. Her family was brutally murdered as she was dragged away to a slave ship and sent to be sold in the Carolinas. There she was bought by a plantation owner and given to his son as a "birthday present".
Now, survival is all Amari can dream about. As she struggles to hold on to her memories, she also begins to learn English and make friends with a white indentured servant named Molly. When an opportunity to escape presents itself, Amari and Molly seize it, fleeing South to the Spanish colony in Florida at Fort Mose. Along the way, their strength is tested like never before as they struggle against hunger, cold, wild animals, hurricanes, and people eager to turn them in for reward money. The hope of a new life is all that keeps them going, but Florida feels so far away and sometimes Amari wonders how far hopes and dreams can really take her.
- Print length302 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherAtheneum Books for Young Readers
- Publication dateJanuary 1, 2006
- Grade level8 - 9
- Reading age14 years and up
- Dimensions6 x 1.1 x 9 inches
- ISBN-100689821816
- ISBN-13978-0689821813
- Lexile measure820L
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover comes a novel that explores life after tragedy and the enduring spirit of love. | Learn more
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"Action-packed, multifaceted, character-rich." -- "SLJ", starred review
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Copper Sun
By Sharon M. DraperAtheneum
Copyright ©2006 Sharon M. DraperAll right reserved.
ISBN: 0689821816
Chapter One: Amari and Besa
"What are you doing up there, Kwasi?" Amari asked her eight-year-old brother with a laugh. He had his legs wrapped around the trunk of the top of a coconut tree.
"For once I want to look a giraffe in the eye!" he shouted. "I wish to ask her what she has seen in her travels."
"What kind of warrior speaks to giraffes?" Amari teased. She loved listening to her brother's tales -- everything was an adventure to him.
"A wise one," he replied mysteriously, "one who can see who is coming down the path to our village."
"Well, you look like a little monkey. Since you're up there, grab a coconut for Mother, but come down before you hurt yourself."
Kwasi scrambled down and tossed the coconut at his sister.
"You should thank me, Amari, for my treetop adventure!" He grinned mischievously.
"Why?" she asked.
"I saw Besa walking through the forest, heading this way! I have seen how you tremble like a dove when he is near."
"You are the one who will be trembling if you do not get that coconut to Mother right away! And take her a few papayas and a pineapple as well. It will please her, and we shall have a delicious treat tonight." Amari could still smell the sweetness of the pineapple her mother had cut from its rough skin and sliced for the breakfast meal that morning.
Kwasi snatched back the coconut and ran off then, laughing and making kissing noises as he chanted, "Besa my love, Besa my love, Besa my love!" Amari pretended to chase him, but as soon as he was out of sight, she reached down into the small stream that flowed near Kwasi's tree and splashed water on her face.
Her village, Ziavi, lay just beyond the red dirt path down which Kwasi had disappeared. She headed there, walking leisurely, with just the slightest awareness of a certain new roundness to her hips and smoothness to her gait as she waited for Besa to catch up with her.
Amari loved the rusty brown dirt of Ziavi. The path, hard-packed from thousands of bare feet that had trod on it for decades, was flanked on both sides by fat, fruit-laden mango trees, the sweet smell of which always seemed to welcome her home. Ahead she could see the thatched roofs of the homes of her people, smoky cooking fires, and a chicken or two, scratching in the dirt.
She chuckled as she watched Tirza, a young woman about her own age, chasing one of her family's goats once again. That goat hated to be milked and always found a way to run off right at milking time. Tirza's mother had threatened several times to make stew of the hardheaded animal. Tirza waved at Amari, then dove after the goat, who had galloped into the undergrowth. Several of the old women, sitting in front of their huts soaking up sunshine, cackled with amusement.
To the left and apart from the other shelters in the village stood the home of the chief elder. It was larger than most, made of sturdy wood and bamboo, with thick thatch made from palm leaves making up the roof. The chief elder's two wives chattered cheerfully together as they pounded cassava fufu for his evening meal. Amari called out to them as she passed and bowed with respect.
She knew that she and her mother would soon be preparing the fufu for their own meal. She looked forward to the task -- they would take turns pounding the vegetable into a wooden bowl with a stick almost as tall as Amari. Most of the time they got into such a good rhythm that her mother started tapping her feet and doing little dance steps as they worked. That always made Amari laugh.
Although Amari knew Besa was approaching, she pretended not to see him until he touched her shoulder. She turned quickly and, acting surprised, called out his name. "Besa!" Just seeing his face made her grin. He was much taller than she was, and she had to stand on tiptoe to look into his face. He had an odd little birthmark on his cheek -- right at the place where his face dimpled into a smile. She thought it looked a little like a pineapple, but it disappeared as he smiled widely at the sight of her. He took her small brown hands into his large ones, and she felt as delicate as one of the little birds that Kwasi liked to catch and release.
"My lovely Amari," he greeted her. "How goes your day?" His deep voice made her tremble.
"Better, now that you are here," she replied. Amari and Besa had been formally betrothed to each other last year. They would be allowed to marry in another year. For now they simply enjoyed the mystery and pleasure of stolen moments such as this.
"I cannot stay and talk with you right now," Besa told her. "I have seen strangers in the forest, and I must tell the council of elders right away."
Amari looked intently at his face and realized he was worried. "What tribe are they from?" she asked with concern.
"I do not think the Creator made a tribe such as these creatures. They have skin the color of goat's milk." Besa frowned and ran to find the chief.
As she watched Besa rush off, an uncomfortable feeling filled Amari. The sunny pleasantness of the afternoon had suddenly turned dark. She hurried home to tell her family what she had learned. Her mother and Esi, a recently married friend, sat on the ground, spinning cotton threads for yarn. Their fingers flew as they chatted together, the pale fibers stretching and uncurling into threads for what would become kente cloth. Amari loved her tribe's design of animal figures and bold shapes. Tomorrow the women would dye the yarn, and when it was ready, her father, a master weaver, would create the strips of treasured fabric on his loom. Amari never tired of watching the magical rhythm of movement and color. Amari's mother looked up at her daughter warmly.
"You should be helping us make this yarn, my daughter," her mother chided gently.
"I'm sorry, Mother, it's just that I'd so much rather weave like father. Spinning makes my fingertips hurt." Amari had often imagined new patterns for the cloth, and longed to join the men at the long looms, but girls were forbidden to do so.
Her mother looked aghast. "Be content with woman's work, child. It is enough."
"I will help you with the dyes tomorrow," Amari promised halfheartedly. She avoided her mother's look of mild disapproval. "Besides, I was helping Kwasi gather fruit," Amari said, changing the subject.
Kwasi, sitting in the dirt trying to catch a grasshopper, looked up and said with a smirk, "I think she was more interested in making love-dove faces with Besa than making yarn with you!" When Amari reached out to grab him, he darted out of her reach, giggling.
"Your sister, even though she avoids the work, is a skilled spinner and will be a skilled wife. She needs practice in learning both, my son," their mother said with a smile. "Now disappear into the dust for a moment!" Kwasi ran off then, laughing as he chased the grasshopper, his bare feet barely skimming the dusty ground.
Amari knew her mother could tell by just the tilt of her smile or a fraction of a frown how she was feeling. "And how goes it with young Besa?" her mother asked quietly.
"Besa said that a band of unusual-looking strangers are coming this way, Mother," Amari informed her. "He seemed uneasy and went to tell the village elders."
"We must welcome our guests, then, Amari. We would never judge people simply by how they looked -- that would be uncivilized," her mother told her. "Let us prepare for a celebration." Esi picked up her basket of cotton and, with a quick wave, headed home to make her own preparations.
Amari knew her mother was right and began to help her make plans for the arrival of the guests. They pounded fufu, made garden egg stew from eggplant and dried fish, and gathered more bananas, mangoes, and papayas.
"Will we have a dance and celebration for the guests, Mother?" she asked hopefully. "And Father's storytelling?"
"Your father and the rest of the elders will decide, but I'm sure the visit of such strangers will be cause for much festivity." Amari smiled with anticipation, for her mother was known as one of the most talented dancers in the Ewe tribe. Her mother continued, "Your father loves to have tales to tell and new stories to gather -- this night will provide both."
Amari and her mother scurried around their small dwelling, rolling up the sleeping mats and sweeping the dirt floor with a broom made of branches. Throughout the village, the pungent smells of goat stew and peanut soup, along with waves of papaya and honeysuckle that wafted through the air, made Amari feel hungry as well as excited. The air was fragrant with hope and possibility.
Copyright © 2006 by Sharon M. Draper
Continues...
Excerpted from Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper Copyright ©2006 by Sharon M. Draper. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Product details
- Publisher : Atheneum Books for Young Readers; First Edition (January 1, 2006)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 302 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0689821816
- ISBN-13 : 978-0689821813
- Reading age : 14 years and up
- Lexile measure : 820L
- Grade level : 8 - 9
- Item Weight : 1.05 pounds
- Dimensions : 6 x 1.1 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #335,847 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Sharon Draper is a two-time Coretta Scott King Award-winning author, most recently for Copper Sun, and previously for Forged by Fire. She's also the recipient of the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Author Award for New Talent for Tears of a Tiger and the Coretta Scott King Author Honor for The Battle of Jericho and November Blues. Her other books include Romiette and Julio, Darkness Before Dawn, and Double Dutch. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she taught high school English for twenty-five years. She's a popular conference speaker, addressing educational and literary groups both nationally and internationally.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book interesting and well-written. They describe the story as poignant, moving, and inspiring. The historical details are well-researched and informative. The writing style is easy to understand and engaging for young readers. The book keeps their attention with its rich language and exciting plot. Readers appreciate the excellent character development and feel the emotions the characters experience. Overall, the book encourages perseverance and hope.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find the story interesting and engaging, with an excellent story based on research. The author keeps readers hooked with descriptive writing and symbolic imagery. Overall, customers consider the book worth its award and praise it as a good read.
"...I never knew what an indentured servant was? This story was beautiful but I felt Polly, Amari and Tidbit had tremendous luck with getting to..." Read more
"Copper Sun is a fantastic and interesting read. It brings the reader into the main character, Amari's life and the obstacles she had to overcome...." Read more
"This book was fantastic! I was watching NY1 one morning and some students were sharing the books they were reading this summer...." Read more
"...Review: I love this book so much! The story is fascinating and beautiful! I don't want to spoil anything but I highly recommend this! WOW!..." Read more
Customers find the story poignant and moving. They find the book inspiring and interesting, bringing them back to their emotions. The book teaches about culture and opens their eyes to the atrocities of slavery in America.
"...Reading this book makes the reader feel alive and excited to cheer Amari on! The quest for freedom pulls at the readers heart strings...." Read more
"...There are many sad and stressful moments; the author is very good at pulling you into the emotions of what it would be like to live through the..." Read more
"...Wow Sharon can write! Everything about this book was amazing, true, sad, happy, love! A must read" Read more
"...Makes it real and heartbreaking." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's historical accuracy. They find the research thorough and the information great. The book is enlightening and educational, with facts that are true.
"...I loved how the Author put a lot of historical places and research into this book. I love how she added the indentured servant Polly...." Read more
"...The author clearly did her research. That was made apparent early own when she depicted African storytelling...." Read more
"...Wow Sharon can write! Everything about this book was amazing, true, sad, happy, love! A must read" Read more
"...Makes it real and heartbreaking." Read more
Customers find the book easy to understand for young readers. It's a great read for middle school kids and adults. The book is historically accurate and written from a teenage perspective. It's educational and one of the most popular books for teenagers to read.
"...abd acts of slavery, it was written in a way that a young reader could understand without it being extremely graphic...." Read more
"...Very educational for everyone especially in today's time...." Read more
"...Historically accurate, written from a teenage perspective, and dramatic enough for teenagers - this will be a hit." Read more
"...I read this in two days, I think it would be good for high school level reading." Read more
Customers enjoy the writing style. They find it easy to read, with rich language and an engaging plot. The book paints a vivid picture of African-American struggles through words.
"...Draper constantly provides Amari with obstacles to overcome. The rich language and excellent character development provide readers with an exciting..." Read more
"...this is consider a young adult read so that’s why the simplistic writing style and the lack of profanity...." Read more
"...Wow Sharon can write! Everything about this book was amazing, true, sad, happy, love! A must read" Read more
"So very well written with searing details that bring the horrors of slavery in America into stark relief...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's attention span. They find it entertaining for children and adults alike, provoking discussion and enjoyment. The book is well-written and captures the reader's interest until the end.
"...Reading this book makes the reader feel alive and excited to cheer Amari on! The quest for freedom pulls at the readers heart strings...." Read more
"...Everything about this book was amazing, true, sad, happy, love! A must read" Read more
"My 13 yo son had to read this over the summer for school. It kept his interest and prompted hours of discussion regarding the past and present...." Read more
"...It was excellent. Rated as 9-12th grade, it can be enjoyed by adults as well...." Read more
Customers enjoy the character development in the book. They find the language rich and the characters' emotions portrayed engaging. The book highlights the strength and character of women at the time.
"Copper Sun is a fantastic and interesting read. It brings the reader into the main character, Amari's life and the obstacles she had to overcome...." Read more
"...But after I finished, I was in love. The character development is great...." Read more
"Characters were well developed. Their interactions were plausible and very well layered...." Read more
"...It shows the strength and character of women at the time." Read more
Customers find the book helpful for overcoming challenges. They mention it gives them strength and perseverance. The author is described as brave and triumphant against obstacles.
"...about their history because in may ways it will give them strength, perseverance and will also assist in shaping their future...." Read more
"...She continued to maintain her strength and courage through out the journey...." Read more
"...and focused on themes of feminism, motherhood, and faith against seemingly insurmountable odds...." Read more
"...Such a moving and powerful story. People really are resilient. I read it in a day, I couldn't put it down." Read more
Reviews with images
Well written, important read. Recommend for Mature Audience
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2020I read this book in middle school and never got a chance to finish reading it. I’m happy I was able to remember the name of the book and find out what happened to Amari. I loved how the Author put a lot of historical places and research into this book. I love how she added the indentured servant Polly. I never knew what an indentured servant was?
This story was beautiful but I felt Polly, Amari and Tidbit had tremendous luck with getting to freedom. Seems like everyone was willing to help them which I found odd. I understand that the book is suppose to be Fiction but it didn’t seem realistic to only have Clay searching for them?
I’m pretty sure back in those times runaways slaves/indentured servants were hunt down. I just wish the author would have made that part more realistic . I wish she would of added in the story slave hunters and people putting up rewards for them to be captured. It would of made me feel like I was transported back in time. Other than that this was an incredible story. Towards the end of the book is the best part. You can actually look up all the websites/research she used to create this book. I looked up most of those websites and was quite amazed. I’m a huge history buff so this was very exciting for me. 😍❤️😁
- Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2012Copper Sun is a fantastic and interesting read. It brings the reader into the main character, Amari's life and the obstacles she had to overcome. This book is hard to put down with the rich language and the exciting plot! Reading this book makes the reader feel alive and excited to cheer Amari on! The quest for freedom pulls at the readers heart strings. Young adult readers will relate well to this novel due to the adventure and the Amari's passion for hope and faith. Teen readers can relate to the themes of friendship, love, and death and how a young girl deals with it all. Both boy and girl readers will see this book as a new and different way to read about the historical events before the Civil War and the harshness of slavery. Young adults will love the change in main character from traditional boy protagonists, to Amari, a young girl who has to start a whole new life without family and anyone she has ever known. Draper constantly provides Amari with obstacles to overcome. The rich language and excellent character development provide readers with an exciting and thrilling read. As a reader, you will be on the edge of your seat waiting for whats next in the life of Amari in Copper Sun!
- Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2016This book was fantastic! I was watching NY1 one morning and some students were sharing the books they were reading this summer. One little girl shared this book and said it was the best book she'd ever read! So I bought it and noticed it had earned a Corretta Scott King Award, as well. Although it only mildly touched on the horrible institution abd acts of slavery, it was written in a way that a young reader could understand without it being extremely graphic. I am a kindergarten teacher in an African American community and while I cannot use it as a Read Aloud for my students, I will absolutely ask my principal if she can purchase a copy for each upper grade teacher to be used for our daily, morning, read aloud. Our children must learn about their history because in may ways it will give them strength, perseverance and will also assist in shaping their future. Sharon Draper did an amazing job!
- Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2021Quality Rating: 5/5
Based on price: 5/5
Time with Product: 4 years (purchased in 2017)
Review:
I love this book so much! The story is fascinating and beautiful! I don't want to spoil anything but I highly recommend this! WOW! I love it!
The paperback quality is great, the book has held up well for 4 years.
PLEASE DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND BUY THIS BOOK AND READ IT! WOW! I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!!
Thank you for reading my review!
If there are any questions or concerns please contact me, I am happy to help.
Email - ramit6782@gmail.com
Have fun shopping! :)
- Rami Taha
- Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2024The book was as wonderful as could be expected considering the subject matter. The author clearly did her research. That was made apparent early own when she depicted African storytelling. It was fast pace and the writing style was simplistic. I later discovered this is consider a young adult read so that’s why the simplistic writing style and the lack of profanity. Yes, there were racial slurs and derogatory remarks, but nowhere near as heavy and hard hitting as other books I’ve read. I would consider it “clean” and the rape scenes were brief and not detailed. I will say I initially struggled with Polly’s introduction into the story. My mind immediately went to white savior and I was put off. Even after I realized that wasn’t the narrative the author was going for I still struggled to like her detailed presence and felt like the story should have been solely focused on Amari. However after I got about half way through the book the author skillfully made me forget all about that dislike with a surprising plot twist. From then on I had to read with my hand covering the adjacent page because my eyes would try to skip over and read what’s next. The end of their journey had started to feel a bit fairytalish but the author subtly rectified that with numerous clear facts. So that was appreciated. I feel like some authors try to say “well yeah they went through all these horrible things but they finally were free and lived happily ever after”… like no, not quite.
In the afterword, Draper does separate fact from fiction and encourages the reader to do some deeper research of their own. She list numerous informative sites as well as books. I do feel like the simplistic writing style and the fast pace story took away from the emotional depth of the characters. Just to clarify, this is a work of fiction but the facts of the story are true.
Top reviews from other countries
-
luciérnagaReviewed in Mexico on September 26, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente servicio, llegó antes de lo esperado.
En óptimas condiciones el producto.
- Lenkil432Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 28, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars A book you have to read
One of the most beautiful and haunting books I’ve ever read. Couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend to anyone who is looking to learn more about the slave trade and the true horrors so many innocent people experienced. You feel the sun described and the smells of the earth. The author is captivating with her words, incredible experience.
- Black Forest AcademyReviewed in Germany on May 14, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Judgement is a powerful thing...
"This book is about a girl trapped in the world of slavery. She journeys through the horrors and joys of this world as she grows as a human & woman. Judgement is a powerful thing. It can propel you for the good or bad. Copper Sun causes you to think about not only the cause and effect but also the why. It can be a very hard book to read. You end up journeying through the horror, pain, joy and agony of Amari's life. A good discussion book."
This was the recommendation a student gave me of Copper Sun when we decided to purchase a copy. It's a captivating story that draws in and engages the reader.
- Lionel GuyReviewed in Canada on November 26, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Excellent. A good history of slavery era.
-
Rosa M.Reviewed in Mexico on August 25, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Llegó mucho antes de lo esperado
El producto cumplió con mis expectativas y llegó mucho antes de lo esperado