Copper Sun by Sharon Draper

This story begins in 15 year old Amari’s village in Africa.  When “pale faced” visitors arrive Amari’s life is turned upside down.  Quickly she finds her family murdered and herself in shackles. The story continues to show her journey to America aboard a slave ship and her sale to a plantation owner as the birthday gift of his 16 year old son.  The book also follows the story of Polly a 15 year old white indentured servant whose indenture is sold to the same plantation owner. At the plantation Amari and Polly are faced with many horrors until an opportunity comes for them to escape. 

This is a beautiful story about two girls from very different worlds who come together and become friends.

 I picked this book for a few reasons.  It is historical fiction with events and places that are real.  It won the Coretta Scott King book award and I feel it gives an accurate description of the slave trade and the treatment of slaves without criminalizing all of the white characters.  It portrays slavery as a horrible situation and many of the white characters see the injustice and try to help Amari and the other slaves.

****Caution***** There are very mature subjects - This book discusses very hard and disturbing topics such as rape and murder but does so without the graphic details that one may find in an adult book.

Recommended for high school and adults

Draper, S. M. (2008). Copper sun. New York, NY: Simon Pulse.