Copper Sun

Sharon Draper's Coretta Scott King Award-winning novel, Copper Sun, follows 15-year-old Amari, an Ashanti girl whose life is shattered when her village is attacked, and she is captured and sold into slavery. The story unflinchingly depicts the brutal realities of the transatlantic slave trade and plantation life in the American South, including violence, sexual assault, and profound loss. Amari's journey is one of immense suffering, but also incredible resilience, as she forms unexpected bonds and ultimately seeks freedom in Spanish Florida. This book is suitable for mature young adult readers (ages 12-18) and offers a powerful, character-driven narrative that sparks important discussions about history, injustice, and the human spirit. Parents should be prepared for graphic content and discuss the historical context with their children.

For use in schools and libraries only. A 15-year-old Ashanti girl endures physical torture and unspeakable sorrow as she is torn away from her homeland and transported to the Carolinas as a slave.