Sharon Draper’s first book, Tears of a Tiger (1994), received several awards, including the America Library Association’s 1995 John Steptoe Award for New Talent, and its sequel, Forged by Fire, won the 1998 Coretta Scott King Author Award.

Draper’s most recent book, Copper Sun, also was given the 2007 Coretta Scott King Author Award. In addition, Sharon has been selected as Ohio’s Outstanding High School Language Arts Educator, Ohio Teacher of the Year, and the Department of Education’s Ohio Pioneer in Education.

She also was the recipient of the Governor’s Educational Leadership Award. Draper serves on the Board of Directors of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and is currently on the Board of the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future.

She resides in Cincinnati.

Sharon Draper website