Draper is a major figure in the world of literature for young people. She has won many of the field’s highest prizes and has been honored at the White House six times. Her books are staples on statewide reading lists and have received many statewide awards. Her historical fiction novel Copper Sun, which tells the story of a 15-year-old girl kidnapped and sold into enslavement, was named one of TIME’s 100 Best Books of All Time. The novel was also selected by the US State Department to be part of an international reading project that shares cross-cultural experiences with students in the US, Nigeria, and Ghana.

As a writer, Draper draws from her experience as a teacher. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Draper received her BFA and MA in English before becoming a teacher in the Cincinnati public school system. She taught for 25 years before writing her first short story as a challenge from one of her students. The story went on to win a prize and receive a printing run from Ebony magazine. The experience allowed her to see her potential as a writer. Draper has won numerous awards for her work, including her trilogy of

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