Copper Sun by Sharon Draper

Amari was torn away from her peaceful life in a rural African village. She was forced onto a ship, where she was brutally mistreated, and taken to America where she was sold like an animal at an auction. Copper Sun, by Sharon Draper, is her story. In America, Polly, a hard-working indentured servant, was given the task of training her. Working with Amari everyday, Polly begins to overcome her prejudice. Amari realizes that not everyone with white skin is insensitive and heartless. They both realize they have a common goal. They wish to escape from their cruel owner, Mr. Derby, and find freedom. When Mr. Derby's kind wife has a black baby girl, Amari and Polly's situation becomes much worse, and they know it's time for them to take action.

When Draper first presents the reader with Polly's view of slaves you feel like slapping Polly because she is so racist. However, it's how a girl in Polly's position probably would have been taught to think at that time, and after getting to know Amari her views change. I liked how instead of being advised to go north, Amari and Polly were advised to go to Spanish Florida. I hadn't known that slavery was illegal there at that time. I would definitely recommend this book, even to someone who usually doesn't enjoy historical fiction, because it is filled with action. This book is considered young adult, but there is some mature content. Copper Sun is a powerful book with realistic characters and detailed, descriptive writing that brings the horrors of slavery to life.