Parents' Guide to

Copper Sun

By Terreece Clarke, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Raw, well-researched story of young enslaved girl.

Book Sharon M. Draper Historical Fiction 2006
Copper Sun Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 13+

Based on 11 parent reviews

Paul T.
Paul T. Parent of 13-year-old
April 5, 2023
age 13+

The value out weighs the complaints

This is an amazing book that offers students a real and honest depiction of the Middle Passage and slavery in the colonies. The author spent many years researching this novel to make sure it is accurate. It does have some tough scenes but keeps kids engaged and generates great conversation. Parents need to be open to having the conversations.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
TLeigh1
TLeigh1 Adult
August 4, 2020
age 13+

A Great Historically Accurate Depiction of Slavery

As a history teacher, I used this book to help my students visualize slavery. I can say it is historically accurate. A lot of reviews saying otherwise are simply untrue. Of course, the book is a fiction text so certain events seem unlikely to occur in real life. However, the way in which slavery is represented is 100% accurate. There is mild sexual content that highlights the rape and sexual violence of slave women, however, at some point, students will have to learn about it. The book does not explicitly detail sexual acts making it better for middle school students to read. Overall, my students love it and it helped them have a deeper understanding of Slavery.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
See all 11 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (11 ):
Kids say (25 ):

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.

Talk to Your Kids 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?

Book Details

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