 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Copper Sun
- By Sharon M. Draper
- Genre: Historical Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Raw, well-researched story of young slave girl.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this powerful novel takes an open and unveiled look at slavery in America through the eyes of a young African girl. The common brutalities of the trade -- rape, murder, kidnapping, beatings, and other inhumane treatments -- are described in detail for readers. Parents should be prepared to answer questions or read this novel alongside their teens.
What's the story?
Amari lived a beautiful life once. She was engaged to be married to a kind and handsome man, she had the love of her family, and she lived in a peaceful village. After strangers arrive, her life becomes something she could have never imagined -- not in her worst nightmares. Now Amari must try to live long enough to find freedom.
Is it any good?
COPPER SUN is a beautiful, gritty, horrific story. The characters that author Sharon Draper introduces are complex but still real and relatable. Families may find the violence, habitual rape, and cruelty described here a challenge to read about, but the story does succeed in connecting modern teens to a period in time that many view from the jaded distance of a textbook.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about slavery's impact on America. Why does it continue to be important to read books like Copper Sun? How does reading one person's story -- even a fictional story -- bring history to life?
This book describes violence and inhumane treatment. How do these details impact you? Are these descriptions necessary to bring Amari's story alive?
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AGE
AWESOME READ
LOVE IT
THIS BOOK IS AWESUM!!!
i highly recomend
its educational but at the same time interesting.
the messsage is perfect there is nothing inapropriate about it and it informs you alot more than what little they tell you in school.
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AGE
Copper Sun by Sharon Draper
This is a great book that any teen as well as adult should read. From the Common Sense review I thought it would be a lot more violent. I wasn't sure if I should read it and I past it up a lot in the library, but I finally picked it up and I'm glad I did. None of the violent stuff was overly descriptive. It was an awesome book.
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AGE
Worst novel I have ever read.
Loathed this book. I think it was the worst novel I have ever wasted hours of my life reading. There are much more valuable novels available that address similar topics, with significantly fewer absurd circumstances offered for young adults to believe. Draper seems determined to throw as many impossibilities as possible into the novel with no regard for how skewed an impression of actual events would have unfolded once the story hits American soil. The only elements that could be believed were the elements of cruelty, as well as the manner in which Amari ends up on the ship. From the moment she gets on the ship it deteriorates, and enters a fantasy that only has elements of reality.
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AGE
the most inportant message(:
i had to read this book in my eighth grade reading class. my teacher and fellow classmates got really into the book. we read a few chapters and then had disscusion and we would try to predict what would happen. this book it very good. and it sends out an AMAZING message to all people, young or old, black or white, anything is possible if you set your mind to it. you have to belive in yourself.
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AGE
Copper Sun
Copper sun is a phenomenal book. It gives readers an overall view of how brutally slaves were treated. It will make your stomach wrench and your heart sob. It truly is a fantastic book and its very educational.
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AGE
Best book I read for a school assignment
I had to read this for a school assignment. It was one of the best books that I've read.
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AGE
Its a great book
I love this book. Some parts of the book have some very sad and violent parts. Once you start to read it it's a page turner. When I read this book I felt really sorry for the slaves back in the days. It really got me thinking about how we are soo lucky now.
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AGE
Great Novel, but Not for kids younger than 13
I believe that this book i a wonderful novel, but there are many things about it that maybe my children shouldn't get as detailed with or even know about. My 12 year old daughter asked me if she can read it and i beleive that maybe 13 or 14 would be a better age to read it. Other than that i believe that this was a great book that really has a strong message; Never give up hope
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| Author: | Sharon M. Draper |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Historical Fiction |
| Publisher: | Simon Pulse |
| Publication date: | January 3, 2006 |
| Number of pages: | 306 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.95 |
| Paperback price: | $8.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 14 - 14 |
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