I was fortunate enough to secure an interview with Sharon M. Draper, the illustrious author of several young adult themed novels, including Copper Sun. Draper is not only a New York Times Bestselling author, has not only won the Coretta Scott King award five times, but has also been awarded as the 1997 National Teacher of the Year. According to Draper, by writing what she knew, she was able to connect with her audience and fill a niche; “I was a teacher, yes. And I taught grades 7 through 12. So, I knew the kids. I understood them. I like them. And I wanted to write something that would appeal to them.”
Copper Sun is Draper’s most award-winning novel to date. Along with being 2007’s Coretta Scott King winner, it has received the Ohioana Award for Young Adult Literature and the Heartland Award for Excellence in YA Literature, and has been named Best Book of the Year by School Library Journal, as well as one of Booklist’s Top Ten Historical Fiction Books for Youth. Copper Sun is set during 1738 and tells the story of a 15 year old girl, the lone survivor of her family after her village in Ghana, Africa is attacked. She is captured and sent to South Carolina, where she is then sold as a present to the 16 year old son of a plantation owner. Although the Copper Sun is rife with the themes of race, dignity, and history, at its core, Copper Sun is “ultimately a story of hope, and even friendship,” according to Draper.
Draper also divulges that, within book publishing, you must make sure you stand out. “If you’re a person of color, you do stand out. And that’s a good thing,” she asserts. As an African-American woman, she immediately stands out amongst a panel of authors and speakers. There is no way that she is easily missed and looked over. Draper also takes this one step further, when she contends that you must make sure you have your own signature. For her, it is wearing a white suit. Everyone knows she wears a white suit when speaking at an event, everyone expects it of her. Draper maintains by wearing what she wants, she feels powerful, and “therefore, I stand out. Therefore, I am memorable to them.” Of course, her message and presentation make her even more memorable.