Copper Sun
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder | Sharon Draper |
| Products | Young adult novel |
Copper Sun is a 2006 young adult novel authored by Sharon Draper, a recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award.
Background
The inspiration for Copper Sun came from Draper's visit to Cape Coast Castle in Ghana, a site historically used for holding enslaved Africans. The story delves into the Transatlantic Slave Trade, the institution of slavery in America, and the quest for liberation.
Plot
Amari, a 15-year-old girl from the African village of Ziavi, along with her brother Kwasi, experiences a brutal assault carried out by white men in alliance with Ashanti warriors. Their community is destroyed; Amari’s family is killed, and she is taken captive alongside other young villagers. Bound in chains, they are forced to march to Cape Coast Castle, where Amari forms a bond with Afi, who cautions her about the harsh realities that await.
Upon arrival, the captives are examined, branded, and confined before being loaded onto a slave ship destined for America. During the voyage, Amari suffers through appalling conditions and sexual abuse but occasionally receives kindness from Bill, one of her captors who teaches her English. After reaching Sullivan's Island in South Carolina, the slaves face quarantine prior to being sold at auction.
Mr. Derby purchases Amari as a "gift" for his son Clay, who renames her "Myna." She shares cramped living quarters with Polly, an indentured servant assigned to "civilize" her. At Derbyshire Farms, Amari meets Teenie and Tidbit, fellow slaves who assist her adjustment. Polly gains a harsh understanding of plantation life and the oppressive power structures within the Derby estate.
Following Amari’s delivery of Mrs. Derby’s baby—who is shockingly Black—she becomes entangled in perilous secrets involving infidelity and racial conflict. Mr. Derby responds with violent retribution against those involved and plans to sell Amari along with others. Cato, an elder slave, reveals Dr. Hoskins’ abolitionist scheme to help them escape to Fort Mose, a free Black settlement under Spanish control in Florida.
Guided by Teenie, Amari, Polly, and Tidbit flee with support from Dr. Hoskins and allies. Their journey includes overcoming illness, evading capture attempts by Clay (who is later incapacitated), and receiving aid from Nathan and Fiona. Ultimately, they cross into Spanish territory and are welcomed by Inez and Captain Menendez at Fort Mose.
At Fort Mose, Amari discovers she is pregnant but finds hope in preserving her heritage and honoring those lost. She embraces a new beginning through weaving and teaching alongside Polly as she envisions a future defined by resilience and freedom beneath the copper sun.
Characters
- Amari is a resilient 15-year-old enslaved girl who faces the brutal realities of slavery.
- Polly is a 15-year-old indentured servant whose perspective on slavery evolves after meeting Amari.
- Mrs. Derby is Mr. Derby's 18-year-old second wife who becomes pregnant by Noah, a slave serving as her bodyguard; Mr. Derby kills both Noah and the infant in anger.
- Nathan is a compassionate young man assisting the children during their escape.
- Noah is a devoted young man in love with Mrs. Derby who serves as her protector.
- Besa "Buck" is a drummer from Amari's village and her fiancé who was enslaved following their capture.
- Clay is Mr. Derby's son who impregnates Amari; later left tied to a tree as a rattlesnake approaches.
- Mr. Derby is a cruel slave owner responsible for killing Noah and Mrs. Derby's child.
- Kwasi is Amari's intelligent younger brother.
- Komla, father of Amari and Kwasi and village storyteller, was killed during the raid.
- Tidbit is an imaginative boy, Teenie’s son, devoted to his dog Hushpuppy.
- Afi is Amari’s close friend and maternal figure during their journey on the ship.
- Teenie, mother of Tidbit born into slavery, serves as head cook at Derbyshire Farms and helps Amari adjust through kitchen work.
Reception
Critics have characterized Copper Sun as a powerful and unforgettable work, emphasizing its compelling, character-focused narrative and dynamic pacing. Reviews highlighted the novel’s complex and harrowing representation of slavery, which instills a sense of dread while compelling readers to continue. Beverly Almond pointed out the portrayal of extreme adversity, including elements such as starvation and illness. Recurring themes identified include "suffering, resilience, hope," and "the exploitation and anguish endured by humans." Kirkus Reviews commended the book for its "realistic perspective and skeptical tone," emphasizing its strong confrontation with challenging topics.
Awards and nominations
In 2007, Sharon Draper’s Copper Sun was honored with the Coretta Scott King Award.