06.07.07
Copper Sun by Sharon Draper
Amari is a 15-year-old Ashanti girl who is happily anticipating her marriage to Besa. When slavers arrive in her village, her family is slaughtered and her world shattered. Shackled and frightened she is shipped to the Carolinas and forced into slavery. Amari develops friendships and struggles for freedom in this historical fiction novel.
Kay EJSHS said,
June 14, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Sharon Draper’s descriptive writing makes Copper Sun one of the best of the bunch. Amari’s courage through impossible situations makes this book a real page turner.
Bridgett VHS said,
October 29, 2007 at 12:53 pm
What do you think?
1. Describe Amari’s survival techniques on the day of the branding. What survival techniques would you have used?
2. Is there any good in Clay? Cite positive or negative examples.
3. Where do you think Amari and Polly will be in five years?
Amari and polly will still be in Fort Mose. Amari will be raising her child and Tipbit. Polly will be teaching the children of Fort Mose to read, write, and count. They will be close friends and helping each other out with everything. They might even be married to a men.
Lauren VHS said,
November 5, 2007 at 8:02 pm
This is one of the best books i have ever read! The story was amazing, it was purely captavating!
I feel that Amari and Polly will start a friendship even stronger than what they had. I believe that Amari will become very sucessful when she starts making clothes for the villagers, and Polly will find her red-headed boy and hopefully start some type of a relationship with him.
Elizabeth VHS said,
November 9, 2007 at 4:05 pm
My evaluation of the book is a 9.5 out of 10 because at some parts of the story I threw the book across the room. The reason I gave it so high a rating is because this book has it all…romance, action, adventure, horror…this book kept me on the edge of my seat and I could only put it down to sleep. I would have liked it if the book would have continued on a little farther into Amari’s and Polly’s futures. But where the book falls short, my imagination runs wild. In five years I see Amari with Clay’s son/daughter starting in a school run by Polly and both of them married or being courted by fine young men.
Melissa 2 VHS said,
November 28, 2007 at 1:43 pm
I believe there was some good in Clay but not much. The few things I saw good was that he seem to care a bit about Amari. He gave her presents and in a way he loved her, but thats it. He had mostly negative traits. For example he brought his stepmom’s baby to his dad, used Tidbit as gator bait, and he thresten Amari when he found her escaping.
Taylor CBHS said,
December 8, 2007 at 9:19 am
The way Sharon Draper describes the branding and Amari’s village slaughter captivated me and sent me on an emotional rollar coaster. The method she uses to bring Amari’s brother’s death back to haunt Amari as Tidbit is pure genius! The hate that you feel towards Clay is so riveting, I could feel myself becoming apart of Amari and Polly. I love how the story changes views from Amari to Polly, and I adore how she brings an indentured servant into the book. Sharon Draper did so much reasearch for this book, and you can tell. Her work has definately paid off.
Sissy SHS said,
January 30, 2008 at 2:58 pm
As we all know, there’s a quote that goes “don’t judge a book by its cover” well…I am one of those people who go against that rule. I didn’t think this book looked too intersting, but the librarians insisted that I read it. So a couple of days after I checked it out, I picked it up….and the story goes on. This book was excellent. I wanted to cry in parts…and well I have to pass the message on “READ IT!!!”
I got a different look on slavery, a harsher one, that made you look through the eyes of a slave girl (my age btw). I wanted to cry in parts.
I never realized that slaves were “called into the bedroom”….
well before I give the whole book away, you’ve GOT TO READ IT!!!
Samantha SHS said,
February 2, 2008 at 4:43 pm
I had heard from a lot of people that this book was really good, and they were so right! I finished it in one day. The story was so realistic and you could tell that the author had done alot of research to make it that way. I loved how, in the end, Amari was able to continue the tradition of weaving, like her father, and Polly was able to put her skills of reading and writing to use. I can see Amari being a great motherly figure, like Teenie or Afi, for Tidbit and her own baby. I think that Polly will become a great lady, just like her mother always wanted, and I also think that she will reunite with the red-haired boy from Georgia.
KianaEJSHS said,
February 13, 2008 at 8:36 pm
There is not one person in this world that is all good or all evil no matter how much love or hatred they display. This is why I believe that there is some good in Clay. Clay Derby definitely did not display the little bit of goodness he had with the slaves or his stepmother, but he did display it with his father and with Amari. Clay never said to his father, “I love you,” but he almost always obeyed his father. He helped his father be evil, but nonetheless it was help which was an act of kindness toward his father.
How is he good the Amari? Well he wasn’t an angel with her but at times in the book you could feel a certain weakness that Clay had toward Amari. This weakness, I think, was showing that he did have goodness and that he did feel. I think that the best example of this emotion was when he asked Amari if she liked him. Amari of course responds yes and did not see what he meant by the question, but I think that it was a question that had a deeper meaning rather than just on the surface. Clay also gave Amari gifts to show that he did care for her. He would send her things like candy and extra blankets which for being the master of a slave was rare. Clay of course other than those two things was a terrible person, but like I said before he did some good in him which reinforces my belief that no one can be all good or all evil.
Angelina SHS said,
February 15, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Wow, I was told to read this by several of the Librarian’s at my school due to the fact I have read…well a good portion of the books in the library. So I read it and was pleasantly surprised on how good it was. I have read the authors other books so I wasn’t expecting what I got.
This is a very good read and it constantly kept me on my seat
The ending was a bit disappointing considering that it doesn’t elaborate on who the girls grew up to be. My rough estimate is that they stayed at the fort for a long time and the girls grew up to be two strong women. I think Polly probably married that one guy that helped them and I believe Amari had a baby and raised it as a free person. I think that Tidbit grew up to be a free man and went back to the carolina’s in order to find his mother and comes back with her making her a free woman.
freddavisshsdoerr4 said,
February 18, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Well, if I had to rate it, I’d give the book a 7/10. It was a good overall story, but it couldn’t hold my interest for long. The plantation is where most of my attention was captured. But there were parts where I was drifting away. It’s a book I’d keep in my library, but not remove from the shelves frequently.
I liked that it was different from other stories about Slavery I’d read. The worst I’d heard before was being beaten by a whip or sexually abused. I hadn’t expected Tidbit to be alligator bait at all. Or for the three of them to run south. Not to mention being caught by Clay later on.
I felt some scenes were too predictable though. When Polly and Amari served dinner, it was obvious Amari would drop something. And I easily guessed at the beginning of the journey that she was pregnant.
I didn’t expect her to see Besa though. That was a suprise. Though it was given away that he would be a changed man from what Afi had said. Once she saw him, it was clear he’d found someone else and was different.
What I do wonder though, is what ever happened to Mrs. Derby? It’s clear Clay despised her. With his father gone, I’m assuming he killed her.
jon ejshs said,
February 19, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Is there any good in Clay? Cite positive and negative examples. There is no one on earth that does not have a good side. No matter how evil someone seems they all have a good side. Clay never showed his good side around the slaves, but he did show it a lot around his father and Amari. Clay did almost everything his father asked him to because he respected him. This shows that he cares for his father. He had a respect for his father that made him do the things that his father would ask of him. He helped his father do evil things, but he still showed a good side around his father. Clay also had a liking toward Amari. Clay was very kind to Amari even though he was horrible to all of the other slaves. He once asks her if she liked him. Amari says yes, but she does not fully understand his question. Clay brings presents to Amari such a few extra blankets and some candy. It is unusual for slave owners to bring slaves gifts such as this. Other than these examples clay did horrible things, but these examples show a different side of Clay than you normally would have seen. Clay’s treatment of the slaves was horrific, but the ways he treated his father and Amari shows he is not completely evil. There is not anyone who is completely evil. Everyone shows a good side around someone that they like or have respect for.
KaylaEJSHS said,
February 19, 2008 at 10:23 pm
I think that in five years both Amari and Polly will still live in Fort Mose, their friendship even stronger now then it was back then.
With Polly, the school house will have been built sturdy and strong and well in use. I can see Polly would be teaching all the children White, Indian, African, Spanish, and maybe a few adults also, to read and write. By this time I think that a certain red head will have moved into town as well, to Polly’s delight. Also I can see her with her own child now as well.
As for Amari, I can see her becoming a master weaver, weaving the cloth in the style that her father weaved. The people in the town would be wearing them and asking here for repairs and the like. In the extra time she had she would teach her people’s history to her son or daughter, and anyone else who wants to learn. As Minnie said before, “As long as you remember you never really forget.” Maybe she has met a young man who shares her special spark, who knows?
And not to forget little Tidbit… I mean Timothy. I see him growing up into a strong young man, or strong teen to be more specific. He would live with Amari and help take care of his little brother or sister. Telling them the story’s his mother told him. By now he will have learned most of his letters from Polly too. In addition he would be training to be a solider for freedom, in his spare time.
fredshsdoerr4 said,
February 20, 2008 at 12:15 pm
(revision)
1. Honestly, I didn’t think Amari showed any signifigant survival techniques on the day of branding; but She “went with the flow” which, in it’s own way, I suppose could be a survival technique. After all, it did bring her the least amount of pain.
2. Clay isn’t a great person, but I think there is atleast a little good in him. He looked at Amari lovingly at times, and really cared for her. Sadly, his neglective past and jealousy of his new step-mother cayse him to be abusive. Not to mention, he couldn’t let on that he was in love with a slave. We’d already seen that turn out in the Mrs. Derby and her slave situation.
3. In 5 years, I think Amari will be living on her own with Timothy(Tidbit) and Afi/Freeman; raising them to be good men who dream of Africa and carry on the memories. Polly, I’m assuming, will start a good relationship with the red-haired boy from Savannah that came looking for her. It is my prediction that they will live in a house by themselves and eventually have their own children.
One day, I think it may be possible even for Teenie to show up. That is, if she doesn’t go North. After all, the “massa’s” are both dead.
Kaitlinshsdoerr4 said,
February 23, 2008 at 2:13 pm
1.Just to get it over with and to try not to struggle because if you do, you will get hit
2. No, none at all because he hits children, feeds children to crocodiles, hits nursing mothers
3.They will be with children and husbands in Fort Mose, Amari with her weaving and Polly with her schoolhouse.
KaylaSHSdoerr5 said,
February 26, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Amari’s surviving techniques during the branding I really dont remember her using any surviving techniques
2.I personally dont see any good in clay but there probably is deep deep inside. Clay has family issues and shows no compassion or mercy to the poor helpless slaves.
3.well i think they will both be in fort mose and amari and polly will still be close friends.Amari will be raising her child and polly will become a school teacher.
rachelshsdoerr5 said,
February 26, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Is there any good in Clay? Site positive and negetive examples.
All in all, Clay is a very bad person. He is cold-hearted and cruel to the slaves on the plantation. However, he shows true care for Amari on several occasions in the book. At some times, Clay taking Amari at night prevents her from the harsh life of working in the rice feilds. So yes, Clay has some good, but very little. If he had really cared for Amari, he would have let her be free. Personally, I could never trust or respect someone who uses a 4-year-old kid as alligator bait.
Connorshsdoerr5 said,
February 26, 2008 at 2:18 pm
1. In order to survive she follows Afi’s advice and tries (sometimes vainly) to stay calm. If I were her, I would have escaped or died trying the night before.
2. Clay’s vulgar, selfish, and capable of being extremely cruel as evidenced by the general behavior he exhibited while Amari was at the Derby’s farm. However, at one point he seemed to show genuine affection for Amari. Therefore, I think there is some good in Clay but he’s mostly a foul-natured bigot.
3. I think Amari and Polly will have a falling out. Amari will try to get back to Africa and probably fail while Polly will continue to persue her old desire to be a rich noble woman.
GabbySHSDoerr5 said,
February 26, 2008 at 2:24 pm
I think that it was a good book but could of been better. Like when they head out to Fort Mose i’d like to see more action and maybe more “survival techniques.” And maybe another encounter with Clay. But I think the Spanish soldier on the side of the road was kind of pointless.
1. I dont think there was any survival technique going on. Unless you call “survival techniques” the salve that was put on and Afi comforting her.
2. Clay is just like his father. He is very nice and caring to his ‘lover’ but mean to everyone else. Like when they go “crocodile hunting” he is very mean to Tidbit making him bait. But then he gives Amari candy and blankets. He likes Amari but doesnt want his father to see that.
3.Amari will be sewing and raising her two children (new born and Tidbit). Polly will be teaching the town and the newcomers. She will also probably be seeing that red haired kid and maybe marry him. Tidbit will be telling all the kids in the village of stories from his mother.
Lauren1SHSDoerr7 said,
February 26, 2008 at 4:09 pm
1. Describe Amari’s survival techniques on the day of the branding. What survival techniques would you have used?
I believe that if I were Amari on the day of branding, I would have tried my best to fight back. Branding is excruciating pain and I would absolutely not want to endure it. So if I was Amari, I would not have consented to it at all, I would have stuck up for myself and refused. I don’t believe anyone should be treated the way Amari and her tribe were treated.
Also, I thought this book was excellent because it really made me think about slavery and how black people were treated. I thought that the treatment of blacks was cruel and unfair and that they should not be put into slavery, abused and taken advantage of.
I didn’t like how some of the whites in this story just raped and abused Amari. I didn’t like how they believed that blacks were inferior to them because no one deserves to be treated unequally, young or old, black or white, male or female. We are all people and should all be treated with the highest and utmost respect.
I think that Sharon Draper is a very good author and I loved this book.
Danshsdoerr7 said,
February 26, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Is there any good in Clay?
2. No, not at all. He is a foul and cruel sixteen year old boy. He got Amari for his birthday and invited her into his room twice a week. He constantly whipped and beat her for an unreasonable punnishment. Every now and then he would look at her with lovingly eyes but that doesn’t change a thing. When they finally escape, he tracks them down and finds them going south instead of North. He ties up Amari, but she gets away because Polly knocks him out. He threatened to kill her when he got out of the ropes. He would’ve killed her but there was a snake at his feet (he didn’t realize it until he tried to squirm free.) All in all, Clay Derby is a wicked, awful boy who will kill to have his way.
I was a little bit surprised that the red-headed boy helped them on their journey. I wonder if he and Polly will ever see each other again.
I believe that Fred was correct about Tidbit and Freeman/Afi will live a happy and free life. And who knows? Maybe Teenie will show up later in the neer future.
Treyshsdoerr7 said,
February 26, 2008 at 4:13 pm
1)Is There Any Good In Clay?
-I believe there is good in Clay due to the fact that he gave Polly fair warning about her place in the plantation & to keep her opinion to herself. Also its not all his fault about treating Negros this way. His father rised him to show whites with respect & show Negros no respect at all.its pretty much family tradition.(pg.80-81).
I am also very interested about why Draper included Countee Cullen’s poem “Heritage” in her book,& why Draper changed the and’s to or’s & cinnamon tree.
I agree with Fred that even though Clay seems to be a horrible person,there is still a lil’ bit of good inside him(stated in earlier paragraphs above)
maddieshsdoerr7 said,
February 26, 2008 at 4:14 pm
3. Where do you think Amari and Polly will be in five years?
In five years Amari and Polly will be living in Fort Mose in Florida where they can be free. Polly will be a school teacher, helping everyone learn how to read and write, a skill that she was always proud of having. She will be married to Nathan, who had come down to look for her. They will probably start a family of their own. Amari will become a weaver like her father was and like she’d always wanted to be but never could have been in Africa. She will be raising her son or daughter, who she will love in spite of who the father is. She’ll also be raising Tidbit, she’ll act as a mother to him but wont let him forget his own mother, whom Amaria was close to. Tidbit will grow up well and will probably become a soldier to fight for their freedom. Amari will raise her children to know about Africa, so it will never be forgot.
I thought that this was a really good book. It got my attention and held it until the very end. It didn’t have any dull parts that made me drift off. Some parts were really tragic and shocking, which was made worse by the fact that it’s based on true events. This was an exciting story that showed the strength of people during a difficult time in human history.
One person said that maybe Tennie would join them in Florida, I don’t think that will happen. It was difficult for Amari and Polly to get free, and they almost got caught many times. But, who knows. Anything could happen.
brianshsdoerr7 said,
February 26, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Q. Is there any good in Clay?
A. Yes, I believe that deep down there is some good in Clay, even though he rarely shows it. For example, he expressed true affection for Amari, and was truely concerned with whether she liked him or not. Also, he sent Armari a blanket, and gave her a bag of sweets after she was whipped for dropping the pie. He even said that he missed her while she was out recovering. And, for all the evil and cruelness that he exhibits, it can mostly be blamed on his upbringing, as his father is much the same, if not worse.
In this opinion I agree with Fred from Satellite High School who also stated that even though Clay is not a great person he still shows genuine love sometimes. Fred also said that his cruel nature can be blamed on his neglective past, the death of his mother, and his dislike for the new Mrs. Derby.
This subject can also be easily applied to real life. For example, we all have some people that we hate or strongly dislike, yet we know that deep down they do have some good. When it matters, we can almost always see a little bit of good coming through, just like with Clay when Amari was recovering. It is also important to remember that even if we don’t like them, they still have friends and family, just like everyone else which love them, and they love.
This book also gave me very valuable insight into all the terrible experiences and things that slaves had to suffer through on a dayy to day basis.
Melanie EJSHS said,
March 19, 2008 at 8:41 pm
This is one of the best books I have read!! I really got into it and i did not want to put the book down. Some parts of the book were sad and that made me cry, but then the happy parts made me get excited.
I think Amari will be very successful in making her clothes and fabrics, just like her father. She will continue to raise Tidbit and her own child. Amari will tell Tidbit and her child of how her life was in Africa and the way her people did things. I think she will find a man, perhaps another runway slave, and she will settle down with him and marry him. Hushpuppy will also be there.
I think in five years Polly will be with the red-headed boy after she found him on his way back from St. Augustine. Nathan will opt to stay with Polly and they will get married and start a family. She will also be successful in teaching the children of Fort Mose how to read, write and count.
Melissa from Vhs said that Clay cared about a few things and that there was a little good in him, but there was not much. I agree. Clay did show care for Amari when he sent her the extra blanket and the chocolates. Clay asked Amari once if she liked him. While Amari said yes, she fully did not answer the question.
vanessa said,
March 19, 2008 at 9:28 pm
I thought that Copper Sun was one of the best books that I read in my whole life. It was very good that I read it in 2 days. I can’t wait untill Sharon Draper comes to our school because she can autograph my book. I hope that there is another book of Copper Sun because I want to read more of Amari’s new life. I really enjoyed the book so please continue writing so good Sharon Draper.
leahr EJSHS said,
March 22, 2008 at 7:28 pm
3. Where do you think Amari and Polly will be in five years?
Amari will raise her child with love and affection and she will become a weaver like her dad used to do. She would tell her father’s stories and tell stories of her homeland and never forget her family. Amari would raise tidbit as an older brother to her child and treat him and Hushpuppy with affection. Amari would definitely go back and get Tennie and try to save other slaves from the plantation. Amari would marry another runaway slave.
Polly would start a school of her own and marry the red-haired boy Nathan. She would teach all the people who wanted to know how to read and write. She would also start a family with Nathan. Polly would follow her mom’s dream and become a rich lady.
KaylaEJSHS said that ‘I can see Polly would be teaching all the children White, Indian, African, Spanish, and maybe a few adults also, to read and write.’ I also belive this would be true of Polly in 5 years. She also said that ‘As Minnie said before, “As long as you remember you never really forget.” ‘I believe this to be true and I completely agree with it.
MeganEJSHS said,
March 26, 2008 at 6:30 pm
In the story, there are parts where the reader can almost have sympathy for Clay having to be on a farm with a strict father. He also seemed to be kind and show compassion for Amari at some point; but then, practically on the following page, it read how Clay would beat the slaves and be extremely cruel. I had very mixed feelings about Clay. I could never decipher his nice, sweet words he expressed to Amari because he had a harsh and violent personality.
Sometimes I thought Clay was kind, deep down, due to his small actions; one of them was when he sent a blanket in for Amari to sleep with. I began to believe he truly cared for her. However, at other times, Clay would be very contradicting of his previous words and actions; he would kick the dog, treat Tidbit like a little toy, and say rude things to the slaves. I could hardly believe it.
I think he got these traits from his ruthless father. His father had a strict, unkind, rough personality. Clay probably started out, in his youth, as a pleasant, sweet boy but developed a foul side of him from being around his father so much. He comes off with an immoral, vile attitude towards everyone but when he is alone with Amari he isn’t all that bad, aside from the fact he is using Amari for his own entertainment.
Although, in the end, I had no doubt that Clay was really not good at all. He attempted to kill Amari and her friends and always hated the slaves. I think the most repulsive action of all was when he obliviously tossed the newborn baby down to the ground like it was a piece of garbage. This was kind of like the straw that broke the camel’s back; he did many things to prove himself mean and dreadful but when it came down to it, he was too degrading and awful.
Clay does have some good in him, way, deep down, but doesn’t everybody? At some point, every person will show affection or care for someone or something. Clay, however, was accustomed to the way his father raised him and hardly knew otherwise.
Leah CHS said,
April 4, 2008 at 9:17 am
I thought this was a really good book. It deffinatly had my attention throughout the whole story. I would recomend reading it if you haven’t already.
Thalia CHS said,
April 4, 2008 at 9:18 am
The book is amaizing, it has many sentimental scenes. It will grab your heart, the way they suffer is injust.
Michael CHS said,
April 4, 2008 at 9:20 am
Coppers sun i think is a good book for our community to read. This book is positive and people should read this book to understand the background of others. This book teaches the reader to appreciate the differences of others around them, and this book deserves a grade A.
PAULETTECHS said,
April 4, 2008 at 9:21 am
THIS IS A VERY GOOD BOOK! IT REALLY TOUCHED ME BECAUSE IT SEEMS SO REAL! I REALLY RECOMMEND PEOPLE READ THIS BOOK!
lauren chs said,
April 4, 2008 at 11:34 am
Copper sun was the first book I read about slaverly. It was very interesting how the differnt types of people worked toghther as a team! It was good how they always stayed positive about stuff people would be very negative about.
amanda chs said,
April 4, 2008 at 11:34 am
I like copper sun except for the way the slaves get treated. they arent dogs like the the way clay and his dad treat them. i wasnt really surprised when the baby came out mixed i figured it was when she was eyeing noah. i hate the way that mr. derby just shot noah and the baby with no care. he is like a robot.
tikara chs said,
April 4, 2008 at 11:35 am
i love this book it was some parts that i dislike, but most of all i vote this book number one.
josechs said,
April 4, 2008 at 11:38 am
This book shows so much struggles. I love this book because some characters such as Clay are just horrable.
KING L said,
April 4, 2008 at 11:38 am
This is one of my favorite books i have ever read! The story was amazing, it was purely captavating!
I feel that Amari and Polly will start a friendship even stronger than what they had. I believe that Amari will be very sucessful when she starts making clothes for the villagers, and Polly will find her red headed boy and hopefully begin some kind of a relationship with the young man.
casey crosby said,
April 4, 2008 at 11:39 am
I loved this book, my favorite part is when the son Clay gets bit by the snake. Amari has the biggest hart,when she got everyone sick she took care of them. I also like when they think that something big is in the cave but really it was just hush puppie with a rabbit.That dog is so smart.
KING L CHS said,
April 4, 2008 at 11:44 am
In the story I think Clay didn’t know who he really was he was trying to be something that he’s not he tried to impress his friends by taking them to the lake with amri and the lil boy to go hunting .
Kalisha Chs said,
April 4, 2008 at 11:45 am
Coper Sun, what a great book about a unit of slave and slaveowners. Sarni is the most beloved character in the book by far with her attitude, courage, pride and patience with the whole ordeal.
jessica, cocoa high school said,
April 4, 2008 at 1:17 pm
The book was vey interesting. Its like the movie roots just in a different story line. I really enjoyed “Copper Sun”.
Anja chs said,
April 4, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I thought this book was very interesting. like it kept me on the edge of my seat. reading this book made me sad,mad, and happy. its just gave you all these kinds of emotions. i would highly suggest that people read this book.
LaToya CHS said,
April 4, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I kinda didnt like the book.it was kind of boring at the beginning but towards the middle of the book, it was getting good.
katrina chs said,
April 4, 2008 at 1:19 pm
i thought copper sun was a very interesting book. i liked the story but what i didn’t like was the crucial things that happened to the people in it. Overrall the book was good and the story went well together. the charaters in it i could feel their emotion and what was happening to them it felt like i was there. i was so into the book when my teacjer read it that i made her keep going because she was going to stop.
mesha said,
April 4, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I really thought the book was an excellent source. i would really advise many to read this wonderful book.
Mara said,
April 4, 2008 at 1:24 pm
If i had to rate this book out of 10 I would give it (personally) a 7. This book just didn’t catch my attention as I wish it would have. I enjoy reading books that keep me guessing what will happen next and keep me never wanting to put the book down. I don’t like Clay as a person but believe that he has some good in him. I feel incredibly sorry for Amari and what she had to go through; but thankfully she got away when Amari and Polly tied Clay to the tree.
Carl chs said,
April 4, 2008 at 1:29 pm
This is an awesome book and I really enjoyed reading this book. If you havent read this book, I recommend that you read it.
TOREZ CHS said,
April 4, 2008 at 1:56 pm
from what i have been readin this story has really sparked my interest and i hope the rest of the story will keep me in suspense
crystal_chs said,
April 4, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Copper sun when I first read it I really thought that I was not going to like it. But as my teacher started to read it in class I got very interested in the book. So everyday I would ask my teacher to read it everyday! its a really good book and I enjoyed it very much so I recommend it to every one.
nancy chs said,
April 4, 2008 at 2:00 pm
This book was awsome. At first i thought it was boring , but once i got into it ….. it got interesting. i recomend this book to everybody.
Jose CHS said,
April 4, 2008 at 2:03 pm
this book is great to read and sometime not for other poeple. This book tells me that there are people being slaves foe many years in there life. Its kinda chilly i read this book because the things that Clay did to Amari was guessing me out, that how can a man do to a female. And i think Clay should pay every bad things he did to Amari.
Shamaka CHS said,
April 4, 2008 at 2:10 pm
i thought the book gave a great image of Amari. i found her to be a strong black African-American with courage and confident. i think she is a cool person. She did not give up on herself. this book gave me some great ideas about life. i felt that they did the slave wrong. i think clay deserve to get bitten by the rattlesnake he should’n have been jerk to Amari and the baby.
nolan chs said,
April 4, 2008 at 2:51 pm
I like the book it was very interesting it keeps you on your toes and you dont know what is going to happen next thats why this book is one of my best choices.
Tychs said,
April 4, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I think copper sun is a very good book and that every one should read this book.
KAMISHACHS said,
April 4, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Copper sun is a very good book. I think everybody should read this book. Everybody who read this book will love it and want somebody else to read it.
SaKarsha CHS said,
April 4, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Copper Sun was an awsome book that was written by a great author, Sharon Draper. If you haven’t read this book please take the time out and it. It’s awsome!
dre CHS said,
April 4, 2008 at 2:59 pm
I feel this is a very great book.it takes you through the life of a person with a lot of courage.It also describes and puts a image of the many different perils amari faced and survived
shanique chs said,
April 4, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Amari was taken advantage of i didnt like it I felt as if it was wrong to take advantage of an indivdual like that. But it was a good book
lakeisha chs said,
April 4, 2008 at 3:04 pm
sharon draper is my favorite author and ive read all her book but her new book this book is in my top when our class read this story it actually feels like your in the story you can feel the emotion amari is going its like you could see the expresions polly make and feel the pain of tid bit and his mom tiny is feeling of love besa has for amari. I love this book if you have read I know you do to
Emily chs said,
April 4, 2008 at 3:09 pm
COOPER SUN IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS THAT I HAVE READ. I LOVE TO READ THE BOOKS OF SHARON DRAPER BECAUSE SHE IS A WRITER THAT WRITE ABOUT THE TRUTH AND REALITY YOU ACTUALY FEEL LIKE IF YOUR THE ONE LIVING THE STORY AND YOU WANT KEEP ON READING INTO THE END BECAUSE YOU WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. IN THIS BOOK AMARI IS REALY LUCKY AND SHE SHOULD BE GLAD THAT SHE HAS THE FRIENDS SHE HAS AND THAT THEY DO NOT CARE WHAT HAPPENS THEY KEEPED ON FOWARD AND DON’T JUST LOOK AT EACHOTHERS COLORS BUT AT THE FACT THAT THEY WANTED TO BE FREE AND THE HAD THE CHANCE TO DO IT. I WILL RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYBODY. I AM NOT A PERSON THAT LIKES TO READ BUT WHEN IT COMES TO SHARON DRAPER’S BOOKS FORGET THAT I WILL READ THE BOOK NO MATTER HOW MANY PAGES IT HAS OR HOW FAT THE BOOK IS.
mimi CHS said,
April 4, 2008 at 3:13 pm
i love this book! it is awesome. i think that master is a nasty individual and his son is also nasty too. i dont like how they treated amari none what soever.and how they seperated tid bit from his mom.but over all i really love the book and would recommend to everyone!
Emily said,
April 8, 2008 at 12:06 am
This is one of the best books I have read in my lifetime.
I love it.
Its very sad but has a happy ending well sorta.
I really felt touched by this book by finding out some of the horible things that happend to slaves back when.
Its so sad but true.
I read this book in 2 days and i could not stop reading it meaning i really hate reading most of the time.I recomend you read this book.
I couldnt belive it but i am from florida and have been to st.augusting many times with my family.And i went to fort bose and learned alot about the forts and slavery there.I couldnt belive it.Buts its true.I have the oppertunity to meet sharon draper she is coming to my school and i get to meet her.
How ausome.I cant wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MaryBethSHSDoerr1 said,
April 14, 2008 at 6:29 pm
3. Where do you think Amari and Polly will be in five years?
In five years Polly, Amari and Tidbit, will be living happily in Fort Mose. Amari will have her baby, accept it and love it as much as she loved Besa. Polly will hopefully be thriving with her school, and same goes to Amari with her weaving career. I’m sure they will be really close, just like a real family, with all that support and love that both girls experienced but not as much as they should have.
I’m pretty certain of the fact that Nathan will come looking for Polly again, because they already said he came once, so it seems that he has taken a fancy to her and they will probably get together and marry, and have children of their own.
I agree with what Fred said, “One day, I think it may be possible even for Teenie to show up. That is, if she doesn’t go North. After all, the “massa’s” are both dead.” I think that there is a really good chance of Teenie coming to be free with Tidbit and everyone. She doesn’t have that much of a threat when she leaves because both masters are dead. (That is if that snake bit Clay) So Teenie can be there to raise her son the rest of his years untill he is grown.
Jazmine Vhs said,
April 19, 2008 at 2:05 pm
This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. It allows me to look at slavery through someone elses eyes. I was about to fall out of my chair with antipation at the part where Amari’s brother was shot. In all my favorite part was the end were Amari, Polly and Tidbit become free.
Kaila Jefferson said,
April 27, 2008 at 3:14 pm
I read this book in less than an week and i absolutely loved. the vivid descriptions are just out this world. there needs to be another part to this story.
brittshsdoerr6 said,
April 28, 2008 at 8:06 am
2. Is there any good in Clay? Cite positive or negative examples.
I think clay is just an example of what all slave owners were nack then. It is sad to say but what he did was the norm back then but i think he might of mistaken amari from not fighting as she did actualy like him when realy she despised every thing about him. I think he is a mixed carachter i think that he tried to treat her with some care but mostly he just acted as if he was supost to do what he did to her those awful nights.
Alex said,
May 1, 2008 at 2:01 pm
This book has many twist and turns but over all i thin it is a great book. I used to never read but now this book has made me relize that reading teaches you stuff you never knew and it made me relize how awfull it was for african amaericans.
MaryEJSHS said,
May 10, 2008 at 2:35 pm
2- Is there any good in Clay? Cite examples from the book to support your answer.
First off, I do not believe that any person can be ccompletely good or completely bad, so obviously I would say that Clay does has some good in him. Although he does not appear to be kind, or even courteous, to the slaves who worked on his father’s property, in my opinion he has to have some sliver of good in him somewhere. In no way am I saying he was a good person. I just think there was something good in him. For example, respect is a good quality. Sure he did not have repsect for slaves, or women for that matter, but he did have respect, at times for his father. For the most part, he obeyed him. Although his actions toward Amari were not justified in anyway, he did seem to have a soft spot for her. When Clay asked Amari if she liked him she responded yes out of fear. However, Clay took it as something more. He brought her gifts and was even “nice” to her. This displayed he had feelings for her and he was kind to her at times. Kindness and niceness are both good qualities in my book. And obviously these are not strong enough examples to prove he is a good guy or even a decent human being, they are enough to show that he has at least a couple “good” qualities. How I see it is that Clay is not a nice person or a good person but he can have some good qualities when he is around his father or Amari. Thus proving that even the worst of the worst can have the tinniest speck of good in them even if they do not show it very often or show it to more than a couple of people. Good exists in everyone, just as bad does, but there is more or less of it in different people. In Clay’s case it was harder to see. Ultimately, I do believe that Clay had some good in him when he wanted to and I believe that everyone has good in them too.
Mimi said,
May 15, 2008 at 8:35 pm
This book copper sun was a great book. it changed the way i see book. i never use to like reading but when i read that book it changed i saw book. it made me love books.