Sharon M. Draper - Copper Sun

Pros: Gripping story. Wonderful narration and description, suspenseful plot, characterization.
Cons: Some violent scenes, but handled relatively well.

”Amari glanced toward the west and watched the sun set. It glowed a bright metallic copper – the same sun that set each evening upon her homeland…” The story of a teenage girl, torn from her village and sold into slavery is ...

Pros: Interesting to read, not able to put down. Suspenseful climax and great story.
Cons: Very graphic parts. I would not recommend children under 11 read this book.

Pale faced strangers come into 15 year old Amari’s village and her village welcomes them. Only the guests turn out to be slave traders. They are captured, and transported from Africa to South Carolina. When Amari is sold to a rice plantation owner, as a birthday present she realizes the worst is yet to come. The rich plantation owner also buys a white indentured girl named Polly, her mother and father has both died. Her owner felt fit that she pays back their indenture too. Amari and Polly learn their way around the plantation and learns the do’s and don’ts from the cook, Teenie and her son Tidbit. Mrs. Derby is the only person who shows true affection toward the slaves. It soon becomes clear that she too is a prisoner beyond her control. Amari and Polly decide to escape south instead of the traditional north to a place called Fort Mose that crazy ton has told them about. Along the way to Fort Mose she encounters old acquaintances and trouble too.