Copper Sun by Sharon Draper

I just finished re-reading Copper Sun by Sharon Draper. This was the book our book club decided to read since it was the winner of the Kansas Heartland Award last year. This novel is considered historical fiction.
It begins with a young 15 year old girl living in Africa. Her life is like many of our students. She has a little brother who teases her about her "boyfriend" and parents who are respected in their community.
One day strangers come to their village, they brutally kill most of the villagers and take the rest to be slaves. So begins the journey of Amari, first through the jungle in chains and neck irons, then held in a dark hole with little to eat and no hope, then on a ship to America only to be taken by the men on the ship. After landing in America, Amari is sold to Master Derby to be a birthday present to his son.
Even with the odds against her she still finds hope that freedom is in her future. At times you cringe at the treatment of slaves described in this book but you also cheer for Amari and her desire for freedom, and her personal strength.
I would give this novel a 5 star rating.
You might want to read some of Sharon Draper's other books. I have read both Tears of A Tiger and Battle of Jericho. I liked both of them. Check out Sharon Draper's website.
http://sharondraper.com/