Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Copper Sun
I couldn't believe what an effect this book had on my emotions and it even gave me an insightful connection to the history of slaves. Amari, the main character is high-energy, full of life and in love with a warrior drummer named Besa who she is betrothed to. She is fifteen years old and very close to her family which consists of mom, dad and brother. She is a part of the Ewe Tribe and although there is no clear physical description of her, I imagine Amari to be strong and beautiful with a deep, rich skin tone. Amari's village is filled with peace and tranquility until the day she notices strangers with pale faces coming into her village accompanied by the Ashanti Tribe.
Like any cautious child would; Amari runs to alert her family that strangers are approaching with skin that looks like goat's milk. Her mom insisted that it would be rude not to be hospitable. They gathered pineapples, mangoes, coconuts and casavas to make a stew. The women prepared to dance, the young men drummed and the elders shared stories. Later, after everyone had feasted, the strangers presented fine linens and gems to the chief. Amari marveled at it's beauty and it seemed as if the visit was a productive one, that is until one of the strangers took a big stick and blew hole in the chief's chest.
Amari and her family as well as the other villagers were horrified and for good cause because the powerful sticks continued to blow holes into members of her village and spew blood everywhere. Amari's brother died in her arms after being hit with a spear. Men women and children who tried to run were attacked and killed. Amari's spirit was broken and she and others were stripped naked, shackled at the neck, wrists and ankles, connected to others from her village that were forced to walk for miles and miles.
Amari's first break came when she was thrown into a ship and no longer forced to walk. Her shackles were removed, she rubbed her wrists that were bruised and throbbed with pain. The strangers branded all of their captures on the shoulder and slapped some salve on their wound to prevent infection. Amari was thrown into a large women only cell that smelled horrible, the floor was sticky with bodily fluids and human waste. Amari met an older slave woman who befriended her and explained all of what was to come. She spoke of rape, beatings and torture, Amari wished for death.
This novel is a high interest read that will have every student engaged in anticipation of what is to come. I recommend this novel for sixth through ninth grade. The contents of this novel will force students to reflect on some of their worst experiences in life, or put themselves in the place of the character and answer the question: How would I deal with something like this if it were my life.
Like any cautious child would; Amari runs to alert her family that strangers are approaching with skin that looks like goat's milk. Her mom insisted that it would be rude not to be hospitable. They gathered pineapples, mangoes, coconuts and casavas to make a stew. The women prepared to dance, the young men drummed and the elders shared stories. Later, after everyone had feasted, the strangers presented fine linens and gems to the chief. Amari marveled at it's beauty and it seemed as if the visit was a productive one, that is until one of the strangers took a big stick and blew hole in the chief's chest.
Amari and her family as well as the other villagers were horrified and for good cause because the powerful sticks continued to blow holes into members of her village and spew blood everywhere. Amari's brother died in her arms after being hit with a spear. Men women and children who tried to run were attacked and killed. Amari's spirit was broken and she and others were stripped naked, shackled at the neck, wrists and ankles, connected to others from her village that were forced to walk for miles and miles.
Amari's first break came when she was thrown into a ship and no longer forced to walk. Her shackles were removed, she rubbed her wrists that were bruised and throbbed with pain. The strangers branded all of their captures on the shoulder and slapped some salve on their wound to prevent infection. Amari was thrown into a large women only cell that smelled horrible, the floor was sticky with bodily fluids and human waste. Amari met an older slave woman who befriended her and explained all of what was to come. She spoke of rape, beatings and torture, Amari wished for death.
This novel is a high interest read that will have every student engaged in anticipation of what is to come. I recommend this novel for sixth through ninth grade. The contents of this novel will force students to reflect on some of their worst experiences in life, or put themselves in the place of the character and answer the question: How would I deal with something like this if it were my life.
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