49 pages • 1 hour read
Sharon M. DraperA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Although she doubts herself through most of the book, Amari gains strength through her awful experiences. Afi sees this strength in Amari already when she is on the “ship of death,” as does Teenie. However, through these incredibly trying times, Amari doubts herself. It is this vague, unreachable strength the other women see that gives Amari the hope to continue as well. She acknowledges this hope right after her capture. As the novel progresses, we see a swelling in Amari’s sense of injustice, to the point that she is almost ready to turn to physical violence against the Derbys. It is in the sense of injustice that we can see Amari’s strength; if her spirit had truly died, she would not have felt rage but would have instead given up, like Besa. She also assumes a leadership role during the escape and takes Tidbit as her own child. It is her fighting and protective instinct that pushes her to seek a better way for herself, and this also demonstrates her strong sense of self.
Polly starts out as Amari’s foil and then becomes nearly a mirror image of her. Her prejudice and her race are the greatest differences between her and Amari, but as Polly spends more time with Amari, she no longer sees Amari as “less” than her.
By Sharon M. Draper
Blended
Sharon M. Draper
Darkness Before Dawn
Sharon M. Draper
Fire from the Rock
Sharon M. Draper
Forged By Fire
Sharon M. Draper
Just Another Hero
Sharon M. Draper
November Blues
Sharon M. Draper
Out of My Heart
Sharon M. Draper
Out of My Mind
Sharon M. Draper
Romiette and Julio
Sharon M. Draper
Stella by Starlight
Sharon M. Draper
Tears of a Tiger
Sharon M. Draper
The Battle of Jericho
Sharon M. Draper
We Beat the Street: How A Friendship Pact Led to Success
George Jenkins, Rameck Hunt, Sampson Davis, Sharon M. Draper