Copper sun by sharon m draper book cover, description, publication history. Awardwinning author sharon drapers novel, copper sun is a is fictional account of a young slaves pain, hope, and determination that is based on the horrible reality of the slave trade. Free copper sun worksheets and literature unit for. She lives in cincinnati, ohio, where she taught high school english for.
In the beginning of the book she has a horrible attitude and thinks her life is over but, after meeting a few friends, she becomes a happy, cheerful young woman. But that was what happened when her village was invaded by slave traders. Stolen from her village, sold to the highest bidder. Copper sun uses compelling vivid imagery to depict the process of enslavement beginning with the capture scenes in the first few chapters. This 50page guide for copper sun by sharon draper includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 42 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. The book has eleven parts in which amari and polly take turns telling what is going on in the book. Another critic claimed that the book showed themes of pain, hope, and determination and human exploitation and suffering. Amari is a strong 15yearold slave, and the main character who endures the horrors of slavery. The title of the book comes from the motif of the copper sun on which amari focuses her attention several times in the novel.
As others have mentioned, it isnt a pleasant read at times, but it is absolutely honest in its rendition of a slice of american history. Mar 12, 2020 copper sun is the epic story of a young girl torn from her african village, sold into slavery, and stripped of everything she has ever knownexcept hope. Draper is a new york times bestselling author and recipient of the margaret a. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. Free copper sun worksheets and literature unit for teachers. Copper sun is a historical fiction novel about fifteenyearold amari, a young woman from ziavi, ghana. Two fifteenyearold girlsone a slave and the other an indentured servantescape their carolina plantation and try to make their way to fort moses, florida, a spanish colony that gives sanctuary to slaves. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Families may find the violence, habitual rape, and cruelty described here a challenge to read about, but the story does succeed in connecting modern teens to a period in time that many view from the. It brings about enough to explain the wickedness and cruelty of slavery. Contingent upon the present condition of mindset she is in, the sun is either an inviting, wellknown solace that invigorates her, or it is a removed, unfavorable, and destructive force. 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. Her novel out of my mind has won multiple awards and was. The copper sun the title of the book originates from the theme of the copper sun on which amari concentrates a few times in the novel.
Edwards award honoring her significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens. When pale strangers enter, 15 year old, amaris village, her entire tribe welcomes them. Somehow, through it all, amaris hopes and dreams survive because. It also shows that, even in the toughest times, you can find some good things.
Full of rich imagery, the subdued gaiety and naivete of his race, and the sophistication of the modern intellectual, copper sun presents many facets to the reader of poetry who demands something more than lyric prettiness. Also available in an atheneum books for young readers hardcover edition. Two fifteenyearold girlsone a slave and the other an indentured servantescape their carolina plantation and try to make their way to fort moses, florida, a spanish colony that gives sanctuary. Polly is a 15yearold indentured servant and is amaris best friend. Designed by sonia chaghatzbanian the text of this book was set in life. Mynaamari is a fifteen year old slave from africa, who gets taken away from her family and her betrothed, besa. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. It isnt sugar coated, and readers get a true picture of how devastating it was for human beings to be stolen from their native country, watch their families and communities murdered, and then be shipped to america to be sold as slaves. Not all cases of slavery were as severe as those depicted in this book, but slavery was cruel and inhumane nonetheless. Free copper sun study unit worksheets for teachers to print. When pale strangers enter fifteenyearold amaris village, her entire tribe welcomes them. Taking its title from a countee cullen poem, copper sun describes 15yearold amaris capture and life as a slave in 1738. Fifteenyearold amari is taken from her happy life in the village of ziavi, africa. She goes through many things to get to america, like getting raped and getting branded.
The book is inscribed and signed by the author on the full title page. It was an honest take on slavery and incredibly moving. Amari is in love with besa and he tells amari that white men are coming members of the ashanti tribe. This is a great book for eight graders to study at the end of the year as they are learning about slavery and the civil war.
Overall, copper sun by sharon draper was a well written, descriptive account of what life was like for slaves in the south. She was taken from her village in africa, after all her friends and family were killed by slave hunters. Her novel out of my mind has won multiple awards and was a new york times bestseller for over three years. In her remote part of africa, visitors are always a cause for celebration, but these strangers are not here to celebrate. One thing i enjoyed about this book was how it said copper sun multiple times. Amari loves her community the ewe people, her family, and her soontobe husband, besa. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. There are few books i recommend without hesitation, and this is one them. Books similar to copper sun meet your next favorite book.
The authors theme in this book is to show what a teenage girl, whose black, has to go through when she becomes a slave. Told from the modulating viewpoints of 15yearold slave amari, and 17yearold indentured servant polly, copper sun is a story of resilience in the face of human depravity, and a hope for freedom against all odds. Sharon drapers copper sun tells a riveting story of an african girl, named. Copper sun addresses issues of the african slave trade, slavery in america, and freedom. Draper about the book amaris life was once perfect. Draper copper sun is unlike anything ive ever written. Copper sun is the riveting story of two brave girls who struggle to survive slavery and indentured servitude in the south during their quest for freedom.
One day, unannounced, a group of palefaced strangers arrive, led there by a neighbouring tribe, the ashanti. She endures countless humiliations as she is beaten, branded, and forced to board a slave ship. Copper sun by sharon drapper, is an exciting, intense, and very descriptive book. The atrocities continue as she struggles through endless days of backbreaking work and daily degradation on a plantation.
Her little brother died died when they were forced to march with all of the other people in her. Major characters mynaamari is a fifteen year old slave from africa, who gets taken away from her family and her betrothed, besa. By weighing the copper at the beginning and at the end of the experiment the percentage yield can be determined. The copper sun and the piercing paleness of the sky, which were so. This study guide consists of approximately 39 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of copper sun. Copper sun book the seattle public library bibliocommons. Copper sun is a 2006 young adult novel by coretta scott king awardwinning author sharon draper. Two fifteenyearold girlsone a slave and the other an indentured servantescape their.
Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. I dedicate this book to him, and to my grandmother estelle, who, even though she was not allowed to finish. Horror upon horror erupts as amari endures the middle passage, living among human waste, starvation and repeated rapes, and wondering if she is sailing to the edge of the world. An up and coming book blogger, she loves getting books from diverse points of view into the public eye. The pura belpre honor winner for the revolution of evelyn serrano and one of americas most influential hispanicsmaria on sesame streetdelivers a beautifully wrought comingofage memoir. The reader will develop strong feelings for amari and those who suffer along with her surprisingly including the white mistress. I went to ghana several years ago and was overwhelmed by the beauty of the land and people, as well as the history of the place that hovered just out of reach. What are some symbols in the book copper sun answers. I really enjoy finding any relation to the title of a book in the middle of the story.
Draper is a new york times bestselling author who has received the coretta scott king award for both copper sun and forged by fire. For years, gary paulsens night john has been one of the titles i try to lead all high. Jan 17, 2010 from discussing the book in class, the title of copper sun takes on a whole new meaning. She has received the coretta scott king award for both copper sun and forged by fire, and was most recently awarded the charlotte huck award for stella by starlight. Fifteenyearold amari is taken from her happy life in. Draper tells you what happens in order with the book and this also shows you how the african americans were treated. Depending on the current state of mood she is in, the sun is either a welcoming, familiar comfort that gives her strength, or it is a distant, ominous, and harmful power. Recorded books, llc playaway digital audio findaway world, llc. Copper sun view book details welcome to the official site of. First simon pulse edition january 2008 the library of congress has cataloged the hardcover edition as follows. The book copper sun is told by a slave named amari and an indentured servant named polly. Copper sun exposition everything was alright until they came. While some parts of the book were very sad and hard to read, i was able to power through, and enjoy the ending. Draper even includes a list of the resources she used in writing this book.
Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Draper, 2006, atheneum books for young readers edition, in english 1st ed. His first book, color, attracted wide critical attention and praise. I think it was quite a fitting title for the book because there are references to a copper sun throughout the entire piece. Comprehension by chapter, vocabulary challenges, creative reading response activities and projects, tests, and much more. Copper sun is a 2006 young adult novel by coretta scott king award winning author sharon draper. When the novel opens, amari is a happy teenager, engaged to the most handsome man in her african village, and beloved by her parents. For years, gary paulsens night john has been one of the titles i try to lead all high school students to. Copper sun book johnson county library bibliocommons. Kirkus poignant and harrowing, this narrative of early america alternates between the voices of enslaved amari and indentured servant polly, building a believable interracial. Fifteenyearold amari witnesses the murder of her family and the destruction of. Copper sun is the epic story of a young girl torn from her african village, sold into slavery, and stripped of everything she has ever. Start a free 30day trial today and get your first audiobook free. She turned quickly and, acting surprised, called out his name.
Beverly almond noted that the novel expresses unimaginable hardship and starvation and disease. In a brief rationale, please provide the following information relative to the book you would like added to the schools book collection for classroom use. I dont know why, but you are one of those who must remember the past and tell those yet unborn. Another critic claimed that the book showed themes of pain, hope. In chapter 6, who says you know, certain people are chosen to survive.
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