Copper Sun by Sharon Draper

 "the sun could shine so brightly on this land of evil people...This was the summer of her fifteenth year, and this day she wanted to die" -Copper Sun

Available in paperback and hardcover books

Copper Sun begins in Africa. The Ewe tribe, is where one of the main Characters, Amari lives with her family, and looks forward to the times when she can flirt with Besa (her fiancee), or eat fruits and other sweet snacks, and to watch he father weave the wonderful kente cloth. That simple lifestyle changes tragically when pasty-skinned men come, with members of a neighboring tribe, the Ewe women began the preparations for a welcoming feast. Her father, story-teller for the tribe, begins the entertainment, and soon the dancing begins. Suddenly the chief is bleeding from a wound sent from an unknown weapon. Amari is soon captured, and forced to endure the sight of her friends and neighbors, left on the road if they are dead. Finally they arrive at Cape Coast, a slave port from which slaves are sent to America. Amari meets Afi, a strong mother-figure with an interesting name (it means Friday), and a strong inspiration to Amari. They begin their journey to America, where they are raped, humiliated, and many die. Amari meets Bill, a nice sailor who occasionally rescues her, and she slowly begins to learn the English language. At the time, slavery was still legal, so there was no one there to help. She had always spoken the language of the Ewe tribe, verbs are hard for her to learn. When the ship lands in Charleston SC, she is sold, as a present for his son,  to Mr. Derby of Derbyshire Farms. She arrives and meets Polly, an indentured servant, and discovers that she and Polly will live together. Amari is forced to live as a toy for Clay Derby, an item not a person. She makes simple mistakes, and is beaten. Forced to watch slaves bitten by snakes, and alligator hunts, without comment. Tragedy hits one day as a secret betrayal is discovered, and lives are lost...Will Amari and Polly survive; will they ever see their new (and old) friends again? To find the answer, plus an ever-twisting plot, read Copper Sun.

"This book was an inspiration. Slavery had always been tied to Abe Lincoln in my mind, but it was going on long before he was even born. Amari's innocence quickly turned to experience, while I was still shocked at the treatment of slaves. This book ties together true fact, with fiction. The mixture of good and evil is written well. This book was hard to handle, quite graphic (violent) at times, but it still retains its hopeful message. Amari and Polly are beaten, raped, and eventually go through so much hardship to try to gain their freedom."         -Cait French

Discussion Guide

1. The very first page, just before chapter one, tells of a slave sale and how it must feel to be fifteen years old, stripped naked, and standing on the auction block. Describe the feelings and fears of the girl being sold. What predictions can the reader make about the girl and the rest of the story?
2. As you first meet Amari, even though she lives in the Africa of two hundred years ago, how is she like many fifteen-year-old girls today? How is she different? What strengths do you find in her family and home life? What negatives do you observe?
3. How is the relationship between Besa and Amari similar to teen relationships today? How is it different? Describe how Amari feels about him. What predictions can you make about their future together?
4. Describe the relationship between Amari and her parents, between Amari and her little brother Kwasi. How does the strength of her family make a difference in her life?
5. What do you know of the village of Ziavi from the descriptions given in the text? How would you describe the social structure, family structure, and cultural structure of the community? How did the custom of graciousness to guests become a death sentence for the town? Explain why the Ashanti helped the European killers.
6. Besa's great skill and source of pleasure is his drum playing. The people of the village love music and singing and dancing and self-expression. Explore the importance of artistic influences on individuals as well as groups of people. How can self-expression be used as a tool for helping or healing?
7. Amari's parents are killed, along with most of the people in her village. How do you think you would react in the same situation? What options does Amari have? What option does Tirza choose and why? What option does Kwadzo choose and why? Why does Amari continue on? Describe what you think Amari is thinking as they are forced to walk across the countryside.
8. Describe the horrors of Cape Coast Castle, the Door of No Return, and the branding on the beach. How does Amari survive? What necessary survival techniques would you have to develop to survive those experiences?

for more helpful questions look at this handy guide!!!      (be careful...it can give a lot away about the book)!