Copper Sun
By Sharon Draper
Reading Packet
Name ______________________________________
Period ______
Part I: Amari (Chapters 1-5)
betrothed: (adj.) engaged to be married
aghast: (adj.) stricken with shock or amazement
pungent: (adj.) having a strong odor or flavor
rites: (noun) ceremonial procedures
coffle: (noun) a group of prisoners or slaves chained in a line
crooned: (verb) sung or hummed in a soft, soothing voice
expanse: (noun) wide area of sea, land, or sky
irate: (adj.) extremely angry
1. Using at least five facts from the novel, describe the village of Ziavi.
2. Analyze the relationship between Amari and Besa. Then compare and contrast the relationship
to those in the 21st century.
3. Amari’s mother says, “We must welcome our guests… We would never judge people simply by
how they looked-- that would be uncivilized” (p. 5). How is this statement ironic? What events
might this statement foreshadow?
4. What is the mood of the first chapter? How does the mood change at the end of the second
chapter?
5. What does it mean that Besa’s face “became a mask,” and why do you think he does this?
6. Explain why Kwadzo died “maybe from his untreated sorrow.”Why did Amari envy him?
7. Looking at the first three sentences on the top of page 34, why do you think Draper chose to
entitle this novel Copper Sun?
8. List (with page numbers) at least six examples of vivid imagery throughout these first several
chapters.
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Chapters 6-13
ferocity: (noun) savage fierceness
lament: (verb) to feel or express sorrow; to mourn
fetid: (adj.) having an offensive odor; rotten
talisman: (noun) an amulet or charm thought to have special powers
rueful: (adj.) feeling or expressing sorrow or pity
defilement: (noun) violation of chastity or purity; pollution
ominous: (adj.) threatening harm or danger
emaciated: (adj.) extremely thin; wasted away
bemoaning: (verb) expressing grief; lamenting
boisterous: (adj.) full of noisy enthusiasm or energy
retaliation: (noun) deliberate harm or revenge
1. Why does Afi advise Amari to forget her former life? Why does Afi think it is not only
possible but important for Amari to survive?
2. Why do you think the mother and daughter leap into the ocean? Why do the sailors cast
nets out to haul them back in?
3. List at least six details of the “ship of death” from Amari’s point of view. Why do you think
the slaves were transported this way?
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4. What are two probable reasons the sailors make Amari and the other slaves dance for
them? Why does Afi again have to reassure Amari that she must continue living?
5. What does Bill, the redheaded sailor, do for Amari and how might these actions benefit her?
6. Why does Amari turn away from Besa two different times when she sees him on deck?
7. On page 64, Afi says, “Find beauty wherever you can, child. It will keep you alive.” Why does
she say this? Do you think it is even possible in this situation?
8. Why are the slaves so well taken care of on Sullivan’s Island?
9. Make a prediction: what will happen at the slave auction? Will Afi and Amari be able to stay
together?
Part II: Polly (Chapters 14-16)
repulsive: (adj.) disgusting; causing aversion
incoherently: (adv.) said in a manner which is hard to understand
saucy: (adj.) rude and disrespectful
sniveling: (verb) weeping
acquisition: (noun) added property
insubordination: (noun) disobedience to authority
scullery: (noun) small room in a pantry often used to prepare food
pummeled: (verb) thrashed with fists
1. Discuss Polly’s current situation and the reason she is in these circumstances.
2. What is Polly’s opinion of slaves? How do you think her opinion was formed?
3. Why does Amari have a fit onstage? What does this make Polly wonder, and why?
4. Why doesn’t Polly feel any sympathy when she sees Amari crying in the back of the Derby’s
wagon?
5. Why does Clay warn Polly that women have no need to read and that it is forbidden to teach
slaves to read?
6. Why is Polly instantly dismayed after hearing about her assignment from Mr. Derby?
7. Why do you think Amari is so adamant that her name is not Myna?
8. What does Polly reveal about her past? What is Teenie’s opinion on Polly’s situation?
9. Make predictions as to what life at Derbyshire farms will be like for both Polly and Amari.
Part III: Amari (Chapters 17-20)
assimilate: (verb) adapt or adjust to the customs of a new culture or country
intuitively: (adv.) naturally; instinctively
plaintive: (adj.) expressing sorrow
addlepated: (adj.) confused
trilling: (verb) singing with a vibrant effect
diminutive: (adj.) small in size or stature
morosely: (adv.) gloomily; sullenly
ambled: (verb) moved at an easy pace; sauntered
1. Describe Clay’s attitude toward his stepmother. Why do you think he feels this way?
2. Why do you think Clay asks Amari if she likes him? Why does she answer the way she does?
3. Describe the first Mrs. Derby. What happened to her and what effects did this have on both Mr.
Derby and Clay?
4. What ‘power’ does Teenie have at Derbyshire Farms? Why is this significant?
5. How is the new Mrs. Derby’s life similar to that of a slave?
6. What does Amari mean when she says on page 126: “Song float up to the sky—fly free…”?
7. Make a prediction: Whom did Amari hear whispering in the bushes?
Part IV: Polly (Chapters 21-22)
shucking: (verb) taking off the husk; peeling
cipher: (verb) to use figures or numerals; to do math
cavorted: (verb) had lively fun; romped
rivulets: (noun) small streams of water
disdain: (noun) feeling of contempt, resentment
admonished: (verb) scolded
venison: (noun) the meat of a deer
wanly: (adv.) feebly; weakly
palpable: (adj.) easily felt or seen; obvious
1. Explain why Polly wants so badly to work in the house.
2. Using at least six facts from the text, describe what it is like to work in the rice fields.
3. Why isn’t Hildy’s snakebite treated as a major cause for concern?
4. On page 138, Amari sharply replies that Mrs. Derby needs help herself. What does Amari think
this and what kind of help does the lady need?
5. What does Polly observe about the way Mr. Derby treats his wife?
6. Why does Mr. Derby and Clay’s discussion about the buying and selling of slaves distress Polly?
7. Analyze the conflicting emotions Polly feels as she watches Amari being whipped.
8. Evaluate at least two probable causes of Clay’s distress as he leaves the dining room.
Part V: Amari (Chapters 23-27)
grimaced: (verb) frowned in disapproval or pain
sauntered: (verb) moved slowly and deliberately
vermin: (noun) something vile or disgusting (often used to describe mice)
uproariously: (adv.) noisily, usually with joy
infirmity: (noun) physical weakness or ailment
anguish: (noun) sorrow, suffering; agony
hightailed: (verb) moved quickly
revulsion: (noun) strong feeling of dislike
impassive: (adj.) unmoved; without emotion
1. Identify at least three details (with page numbers) that show Polly and Amari’s relationship has
changed since Amari’s beating.
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2. How does Clay show conflicting emotions/actions toward Amari?
3. Why does Teenie suddenly remind Amari of Afi?
4. Why do you think Clay forces Tidbit and Amari to accompany him on his alligator-hunting trip?
5. Describe (with evidence from the text) and explain Amari and Polly’s reactions to the birth of
Mrs. Derby’s baby.
 Amari:
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Polly
6. What deception do the women devise, and how does their plan unravel?
7. Why is Mr. Derby justified both socially and legally for what he did to Noah and the baby?
8. Why do you think Dr. Hoskins did not speak up during this scene?
9. Predict how Teenie, Polly, and Amari will be punished for helping Mrs. Derby?
Chapters 28-33
doublet: (noun) close-fitting outer- garment, similar to a vest
consternation: (noun) dismay; concern
interjected: (verb) inserted; said between points in a conversation
courier: (noun) delivery person
inconsolable: (adj.) unable to be comforted; extremely upset
bereft: (adj.) deprived; desolate, feeling of emptiness, abandonment
sugarcoat: (verb) to make things seem less serious than they really are
exultation: (noun) rejoicing greatly; lively celebration
fretfully: (adv.) anxiously; nervously
deftly: (adv.) with skill; cleverly
1. Explain Mr. Derby’s punishment for the following characters and how each is particularly
horrifying to them:
 Polly:
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Amari:
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Teenie
2. What is Polly’s reaction to Teenie’s idea of Polly escaping alone? Why do you think she reacts
this way?
3. What does Cato suggest, and why is his suggestion so surprising?
4. Identify two possible motives as to why Dr. Hoskins helped the three characters escape.
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5. Analyze why Amari no longer wants to be called ‘Myna.’
6. Why is the argument whether to head north or south significant between Amari and Polly?
7. Explain Polly’s quote from page 213: “Freedom is a delicate idea, like a pretty leaf in the air: It’s
hard to catch and may not be what you thought when you get it…”
Chapters 34-36
unaccustomed: (adj.) not used to
console: (verb) give comfort to
horrendous: (adj.) horrible; unable to be tolerated
folly: (noun) foolishness
cajoled: (verb) coaxed; persuaded with flattery
vigilant: (adj.) on constant watch; wary and alert
quaked: (verb) shook violently
bawdy: (adj.) indecent; obscene
motley: (adj.) diverse; an odd or unexpected mixture
1. Give at least two reasons why Tidbit is so upset about Hushpuppy’s disappearance.
2. Make an inference about the cause of Mr. Derby’s death.
3. What two suspicions does Clay have about Dr. Hoskins?
4. How does Amari escape Clay? How and why do the girls leave Clay’s life up to fate?
5. Describe the difficulties of traveling by night, all alone, with no food and no real guarantee that
the place you are heading really exists.
6. Compare and contrast Nathan’s point of view to his father’s.
7. What information does Nathan give the girls about Fort Mose, and why is it so valuable?
8. Based on Nathan’s actions in helping the girls escape, what can we infer about him?
Chapters 37-38
mire: (noun) wet, swampy ground
buckskin: (noun) clothing made from deerhide
cowered: (verb) cringed in fear
pothook: (noun) an iron rod with a hook at the end for lifting pots
chortled: (verb) chuckled
modulation: (noun) adjustment of the tone, pitch, or volume of sound
philosophically: (adj.) rationally; thoughtfully
garrisons: (noun) military posts
spirits: (noun) alcohol for drinking
pretense: (noun) façade; false show
1. What is Fiona’s opinion of slavery and why does it confuse Amari?
2. Describe at least two ways in which Besa has changed.
3. What does Amari learn about herself, her past, and her future through her reunion with Besa?
4. Why does Amari suddenly feel so conflicted about white people?
5. Which of Fiona’s comments infuriates Amari? Why?
6. What do Polly and Amari talk about during the wagon ride, and why is this significant?
7. Assuming Corporal Salvador knew Amari, Polly, and Tidbit were runaways, why does he pretend
otherwise?
Part XI: Amari (Chapters 39-42)
arduous: (adj.) requiring great exertion; physically difficult
convey: (verb) communicate; make known
cryptically: (adj.) mysteriously
nimbly: (adj.) deftly; with great skill and quickness
profound: (adj.) penetrating deeply; going beyond what is obvious
apprentice: (noun) someone who is studying a trade
traversed: (verb) traveled
lethargic: (adj.) having little energy
disconcerting: (adj.) causing concern; upsetting
1. Why is Tidbit afraid of crossing the river?
2. What is the significance of the conversation Amari has with Tidbit after he asks about Teenie?
3. Why do the Spanish offer runaways freedom? What does Polly realize about “fairness” after
talking with Inez?
4. Explain at least three differences between living in Fort Mose versus the colonies.
5. What can we infer from Polly’s reaction to hearing that a ‘red-headed white boy’ came through
looking for her?
6. What is the girls’ impression of Captain Menendez?
7. What assignments are given to the following characters and how is each appropriate:
 Amari:
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Polly
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Tidbit
8. What does Inez reveal is the real purpose of Fort Mose, and why does this alarm Amari?
9. How does Inez comfort Amari when she realizes she is pregnant, and how does Amari make
peace with the idea?