Copper+Sun

__//Africans Taken Captive//__ In the book Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper the main character, Amari, is taken captive by white Americans to be enslaved. Her village is attacked and the Americans slaughter everyone except for healthy, young adults. The Africans who were spared are taken on a long journey to the states and are treated horribly on the way. They were held captive in chains and had to walk in the heat of the scorching sun. They were only fed on a few occasions and many died on the trip. This sort of capture happened often in Western Africa. Because most Africans could not speak English they could not even ask why they were being taken captive and they would have to wait for their future to unfold. Unfortunately, their future would not be bright. -Carly Black

__//Runaway Slaves//__ Most slaves followed the Underground Railroad north after escaping, but in Copper Sun, Amari, her friend Polly, and a little boy named Tidbit, did the opposite. They ran South to a fort that was in Spanish territory and accepted people of all races and backrounds. They did not think anyone would suspect them to go south but the slave owners son did. He followed their footprints and attempted to capture them. This usually happened when slaves ran away. Their owners would try to find them using search parties and dogs. When slaves were found and taken back they would be severely punished. Runaways knew this and were always cautious on their journeys to freedom. They knew it was extremely risky and dangerous to escape but runaways always had hope that they could make it. -Carly Black