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Sarah's Riches
From award-winning author Tonya Bolden comes the remarkable true short story about the turn of fortune that made teenage Sarah Rector the wealthiest Black girl in Jim Crow–era America.
Sarah’s story is now a major motion picture from Amazon MGM Studios.
In the new state of Oklahoma, young Sarah Rector was among the Black citizens of the Creek Nation granted land allotments. Her property seemed worthless—a distant plot fifty miles from her family’s two-room shack. Then oil was discovered, and eleven-year-old Sarah’s land was producing 2,500 barrels of oil per day. The sudden wealth transformed her family’s circumstances, moving them from poverty to prosperity.
But such wealth in Black hands drew unwanted attention. The press spread sensational, often racist headlines nationwide. Corrupt officials, ruthless oil barons, and opportunistic swindlers abounded, taking advantage of landholders who never imagined the level of wealth that came from black gold.
This is the remarkable true story of how oil changed everything for a Black girl and her family in early-twentieth-century America. From humble beginnings to a mansion where she later entertained Duke Ellington, Sarah Rector’s journey illuminates a unique chapter in American history—when sudden oil wealth collided with the racial restrictions of the Jim Crow era.
Sarah’s story is now a major motion picture from Amazon MGM Studios.
In the new state of Oklahoma, young Sarah Rector was among the Black citizens of the Creek Nation granted land allotments. Her property seemed worthless—a distant plot fifty miles from her family’s two-room shack. Then oil was discovered, and eleven-year-old Sarah’s land was producing 2,500 barrels of oil per day. The sudden wealth transformed her family’s circumstances, moving them from poverty to prosperity.
But such wealth in Black hands drew unwanted attention. The press spread sensational, often racist headlines nationwide. Corrupt officials, ruthless oil barons, and opportunistic swindlers abounded, taking advantage of landholders who never imagined the level of wealth that came from black gold.
This is the remarkable true story of how oil changed everything for a Black girl and her family in early-twentieth-century America. From humble beginnings to a mansion where she later entertained Duke Ellington, Sarah Rector’s journey illuminates a unique chapter in American history—when sudden oil wealth collided with the racial restrictions of the Jim Crow era.
39 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 14, 2025
405 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Tonya Bolden
79 books187 followersAuthor and publisher Tonya Wilyce Bolden was born on March 1, 1959, in New York City to Georgia Bolden, a homemaker, and Willie Bolden, a garment center shipping manager. Bolden grew up in Harlem in a musical family and loved to read; she attended Public M.E.S. 146, an elementary school in Manhattan, and then graduated from the Chapin School, a private secondary school, in Manhattan in 1976. Bolden attended Princeton University in New Jersey, and, in 1981, obtained her B.A. degree in Slavic languages and literature with a Russian focus. Bolden was also a University Scholar and received the Nicholas Bachko, Jr. Scholarship Prize.
Upon graduating from Princeton University, Bolden began working as a salesperson for Charles Alan, Incorporated, a dress manufacturer, while working towards her M.A. degree at Columbia University. In 1985, Bolden earned her degree in Slavic languages and literature, as well as a Certificate for Advanced Study of the Soviet Union from the Harriman Institute; after this she began working as an office coordinator for Raoulfilm, Inc., assisting in the research and development of various film and literary products. Bolden worked as an English instructor at Malcolm-King College and New Rochelle School of New Resources while serving as newsletter editor of the HARKline, a homeless shelter newsletter.
In 1990, Bolden wrote her first book, The Family Heirloom Cookbook. In 1992, Bolden co-authored a children’s book entitled Mama, I Want To Sing along with Vy Higginsen, based on Higginsen’s musical. Bolden continued publishing throughout the 1990s, releasing Starting a Business from your Home, Mail-Order and Direct Response, The Book of African-American Women: 150 Crusaders, Creators, and Uplifters, And Not Afraid to Dare: The Stories of Ten African-American Women, American Patriots: The Story of Blacks in the Military from the Revolution to Desert Storm and The Champ. Bolden became editor of the Quarterly Black Review of Books in 1994, and served as an editor for 33 Things Every Girl Should Know, in 1998. Bolden’s writing career became even more prolific in the following decade; a partial list of her works include:, Our Souls: A Celebration of Black American Artists, Maritcha: A Nineteenth Century American Girl, MLK: Journey of a King, Take-Off: American All-Girl Bands During World War II, and George Washington Carver, a book she authored in conjunction with an exhibit about the famous African American inventor created by The Field Museum in Chicago.
(source; http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biogr...)
Upon graduating from Princeton University, Bolden began working as a salesperson for Charles Alan, Incorporated, a dress manufacturer, while working towards her M.A. degree at Columbia University. In 1985, Bolden earned her degree in Slavic languages and literature, as well as a Certificate for Advanced Study of the Soviet Union from the Harriman Institute; after this she began working as an office coordinator for Raoulfilm, Inc., assisting in the research and development of various film and literary products. Bolden worked as an English instructor at Malcolm-King College and New Rochelle School of New Resources while serving as newsletter editor of the HARKline, a homeless shelter newsletter.
In 1990, Bolden wrote her first book, The Family Heirloom Cookbook. In 1992, Bolden co-authored a children’s book entitled Mama, I Want To Sing along with Vy Higginsen, based on Higginsen’s musical. Bolden continued publishing throughout the 1990s, releasing Starting a Business from your Home, Mail-Order and Direct Response, The Book of African-American Women: 150 Crusaders, Creators, and Uplifters, And Not Afraid to Dare: The Stories of Ten African-American Women, American Patriots: The Story of Blacks in the Military from the Revolution to Desert Storm and The Champ. Bolden became editor of the Quarterly Black Review of Books in 1994, and served as an editor for 33 Things Every Girl Should Know, in 1998. Bolden’s writing career became even more prolific in the following decade; a partial list of her works include:, Our Souls: A Celebration of Black American Artists, Maritcha: A Nineteenth Century American Girl, MLK: Journey of a King, Take-Off: American All-Girl Bands During World War II, and George Washington Carver, a book she authored in conjunction with an exhibit about the famous African American inventor created by The Field Museum in Chicago.
(source; http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biogr...)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 11, 2025
3 " Sarah Rector" stars !!!
Thank you to Netalley, Amazon Original Stories and the author for an ecopy. This will be released October 2025. I am providing an honest review.
A nicely laid out YAish biography of Sarah Rector of Oklahoma and her rise in wealth and the historical circumstances around that. In 35 pages you get a general idea of the historical context including colonialism, race and gender relations and some sociological context. It appears that not much is known of Sarah's psychology so there is some educated inference. I appreciated the author's neutrality and not falling into hyperbole or villainization but rather a straight telling of the story that is most interesting in its own right ! As a Canadian child of immigrants I was not aware of the extent of the links between American Aboriginal and American African history and would definitely like to learn more about that ! A good reading experience ! Suitable for ages 12 plus !
Thank you to Netalley, Amazon Original Stories and the author for an ecopy. This will be released October 2025. I am providing an honest review.
A nicely laid out YAish biography of Sarah Rector of Oklahoma and her rise in wealth and the historical circumstances around that. In 35 pages you get a general idea of the historical context including colonialism, race and gender relations and some sociological context. It appears that not much is known of Sarah's psychology so there is some educated inference. I appreciated the author's neutrality and not falling into hyperbole or villainization but rather a straight telling of the story that is most interesting in its own right ! As a Canadian child of immigrants I was not aware of the extent of the links between American Aboriginal and American African history and would definitely like to learn more about that ! A good reading experience ! Suitable for ages 12 plus !
October 6, 2025
With not even a full hours runtime, Sarah’s Riches may work very well as an introduction to Sarah Rector and how her wealth came to pass. An excellent short history lesson that could easily be geared towards the younger reader. For me personally there was nothing new of note and I’d probably have rated higher had I been unaware of Sarah’s story.
Beautifully narrated.
My thanks to Brilliance Publishing via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
Beautifully narrated.
My thanks to Brilliance Publishing via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
October 11, 2025
“I’m never going to apologize for Sarah and the person that she was because she earned the right to be that person. She was a strong black woman who said, ‘I am here, this is how I’m going to live my life, and I don’t care who has something to say about it.’ And I just absolutely love that part of her – that determination to not settle, to not conform to what society said she needed to be.” - Sarah’s granddaughter, Sarah’s Riches
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon for gifting me this free audiobook of Sarah’s Riches in exchange for an honest review. All views and opinions are my own.
This short, but powerful, story about Sarah Rector’s rags-to-riches-to-rags story is an inspiring one, written by award-winning author Tonya Bolden. Sarah’s strength and courage to fight her way out of a conservatorship to claim her wealth when she comes of age is commendable. The systematic placement of children into conservatorships like we’ve recently seen in current media stories (Britney Spears, Amanda Bynes, etc.) to control their wealth seems to have been an issue even since the Jim Crow era of America. In Sarah’s case, the layers of systematic control she had to fight her way out of was even more difficult because of racism. I would have given this story 4 stars if it was longer! I was left wanting more details about Sarah's life and character.
After winning her wealth and living a full life, Sarah’s humility to return to farm life despite her wealth reflects the priority she places on family time and work values, highlighting her strong and admirable character.
I’m not surprised the story of Sarah Rector is in production to be a major motion picture from Amazon MGM Studios. I’d recommend checking out this book before the film comes out!
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon for gifting me this free audiobook of Sarah’s Riches in exchange for an honest review. All views and opinions are my own.
This short, but powerful, story about Sarah Rector’s rags-to-riches-to-rags story is an inspiring one, written by award-winning author Tonya Bolden. Sarah’s strength and courage to fight her way out of a conservatorship to claim her wealth when she comes of age is commendable. The systematic placement of children into conservatorships like we’ve recently seen in current media stories (Britney Spears, Amanda Bynes, etc.) to control their wealth seems to have been an issue even since the Jim Crow era of America. In Sarah’s case, the layers of systematic control she had to fight her way out of was even more difficult because of racism. I would have given this story 4 stars if it was longer! I was left wanting more details about Sarah's life and character.
After winning her wealth and living a full life, Sarah’s humility to return to farm life despite her wealth reflects the priority she places on family time and work values, highlighting her strong and admirable character.
I’m not surprised the story of Sarah Rector is in production to be a major motion picture from Amazon MGM Studios. I’d recommend checking out this book before the film comes out!
November 18, 2025
This biography obliquely touches about sexism, colonialism, racism, and opportunistic swindlers while touching upon the rags-to-riches-to rages story of Sarah Rector. While the short tale lacks detail about Sarah’s marriage, day-to-day life, and personal beliefs it is gaining some buzz surrounding a related movie release and court battles regarding conservatorship. It’s fine but unremarkable.
* * * * * * * * * * *
According the to Freedmen Rule, Black citizens of the Creek Nation were granted land allotments in Oklahoma. Initially young Sarah Rector’s land located fifty miles from her family’s two-room shack seemed worthless. However, when oil was discovered on the acreage newspapers were quick to reveal the budding teen’s wealth long before she touched any money. The courts prohibited her parents from taking guardianship and critiqued decisions about her education and family circumstances. Jim Crow laws further complicated matters for the wealthiest Black girl in America.
* * * * * * * * * * *
According the to Freedmen Rule, Black citizens of the Creek Nation were granted land allotments in Oklahoma. Initially young Sarah Rector’s land located fifty miles from her family’s two-room shack seemed worthless. However, when oil was discovered on the acreage newspapers were quick to reveal the budding teen’s wealth long before she touched any money. The courts prohibited her parents from taking guardianship and critiqued decisions about her education and family circumstances. Jim Crow laws further complicated matters for the wealthiest Black girl in America.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2025
Sarah’s Riches by Tonya Bolden
Sarah’s Riches is one of those books that quietly draws you in and leaves you a little wiser by the end. It’s short, but it’s layered with meaning. It is a beautifully told, historically grounded story. Tonya Bolden’s writing is clear and graceful, and even though the book is brief, it feels full. Every scene serves a purpose and feels like it’s carrying a little piece of history.
What stood out to me most was how informative the book manages to be while still feeling emotional, as well as how beautifully the audiobook was read.
My only small wish was that it had been a bit longer. The story moves quickly, and I would’ve loved to linger a little more with Sarah and to see her world and her growth explored in even greater depth. But for a shorter book, it accomplishes a lot.
Sarah’s Riches is one of those books that quietly draws you in and leaves you a little wiser by the end. It’s short, but it’s layered with meaning. It is a beautifully told, historically grounded story. Tonya Bolden’s writing is clear and graceful, and even though the book is brief, it feels full. Every scene serves a purpose and feels like it’s carrying a little piece of history.
What stood out to me most was how informative the book manages to be while still feeling emotional, as well as how beautifully the audiobook was read.
My only small wish was that it had been a bit longer. The story moves quickly, and I would’ve loved to linger a little more with Sarah and to see her world and her growth explored in even greater depth. But for a shorter book, it accomplishes a lot.
October 13, 2025
Publishing date: 14.10.2025 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
Thoughts //
This is a quick little book and will get just a quick little review. I didn’t know about Sarah Rector before reading this book. This is a good introduction into her life and riches, but I wish it went a little more into her problems regarding her riches and those who wished to earn it.
Otherwise this is a good little account and acts like a gateway into a broader topic.
Audience //
History nerds and people wanting to learn more of how indigenous and people of color were treated during this time regarding land ownership(1890’s to 1920-30’s).
Final Verdict //
I enjoyed my time with this book, but I would like a longer and more complete edition. Giving this 3 stars, will recommend to a select few
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
Thoughts //
This is a quick little book and will get just a quick little review. I didn’t know about Sarah Rector before reading this book. This is a good introduction into her life and riches, but I wish it went a little more into her problems regarding her riches and those who wished to earn it.
Otherwise this is a good little account and acts like a gateway into a broader topic.
Audience //
History nerds and people wanting to learn more of how indigenous and people of color were treated during this time regarding land ownership(1890’s to 1920-30’s).
Final Verdict //
I enjoyed my time with this book, but I would like a longer and more complete edition. Giving this 3 stars, will recommend to a select few
October 10, 2025
4/5⭐️ via audiobook
“In the new state of Oklahoma, young Sarah Rector was among the Black citizens of the Creek Nation granted land allotments. Her property seemed worthless-a distant plot fifty miles from her family's two-room shack. Then oil was discovered, and eleven-year-old Sarah's land was producing 2,500 barrels of oil per day…. This is the remarkable true story of how oil changed everything for a Black girl and her family in early-twentieth-century America.”
This was a really good historic short story. I found it to be very interesting and educational.
I want to mention that the narrator did a great job reading her book.
Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“In the new state of Oklahoma, young Sarah Rector was among the Black citizens of the Creek Nation granted land allotments. Her property seemed worthless-a distant plot fifty miles from her family's two-room shack. Then oil was discovered, and eleven-year-old Sarah's land was producing 2,500 barrels of oil per day…. This is the remarkable true story of how oil changed everything for a Black girl and her family in early-twentieth-century America.”
This was a really good historic short story. I found it to be very interesting and educational.
I want to mention that the narrator did a great job reading her book.
Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
October 27, 2025
Very interesting read. To know that a young child had so much wealth was fascinating to read. The whole 'white financial advisor' vibe reminded me of the Native Americans that were rich from oil, which I read about months ago. For every white person that was genuine, there were 6 more ready to fleece them of their land and money. I'm looking forward to watching the movie about Sarah.
Definitely worth reading! Thanks to NetGalley for access to this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Definitely worth reading! Thanks to NetGalley for access to this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 8, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for early access in exchange for an honest review.
As someone who knows absolutely nothing about oil, I found this easy to follow along and understand. I feel like I’ve learned something, a piece of history that wasn’t taught to me in school. I felt a little disconnected from the people involved.
As someone who knows absolutely nothing about oil, I found this easy to follow along and understand. I feel like I’ve learned something, a piece of history that wasn’t taught to me in school. I felt a little disconnected from the people involved.
December 30, 2025
Very interesting story
It is interesting what we didn't know. I knew about Black Freedmen, I knew about Indian territory, I knew a bit about the inter racial marriages between Blacks and Native Americans, and I knew about the Indian Territory/Oklahoma oil that served the whites and stole from the Indians, but this was a story that I was unaware of. Full of surprises.
It is interesting what we didn't know. I knew about Black Freedmen, I knew about Indian territory, I knew a bit about the inter racial marriages between Blacks and Native Americans, and I knew about the Indian Territory/Oklahoma oil that served the whites and stole from the Indians, but this was a story that I was unaware of. Full of surprises.
October 7, 2025
This was kind of fun as a relatively short history lesson. Even though it was only about an hour long, I appreciated the extra context to the times. It's also written well enough that I genuinely felt suspense sometimes. The narration is well done.
November 21, 2025
While it wasn’t the strongest in terms of writing, it did have a genuinely interesting story to tell. I especially enjoyed the little history lesson woven throughout. I’ve heard rumors it may be made into a movie, and honestly, I think the story would shine even more on screen.
November 25, 2025
I saw the movie “Sarah Oil” before reading this quick read. Young Sarah Rector was granted land allotment in Oklahoma. The land had oil on which cause so many issues and killing involved. Sarah didn’t the racism etc to keep what was hers. Rages to Riches!
November 26, 2025
Boring with no story line
I expected this story to be an exciting story of a young black child who found wealth during a time when segregation was inevitable. Instead, it was just a bland story with no meat.
I expected this story to be an exciting story of a young black child who found wealth during a time when segregation was inevitable. Instead, it was just a bland story with no meat.
December 13, 2025
3.5 stars, adjusted to 4 GR stars. i wish this would have been longer than 39 pages, less than an hour on audio. It ws so interesting that I wish there had been more story told I look forward to seeing the movie, but am a fraid that it will only be available on Amazon Prime.
October 15, 2025
Very interesting story
Very poorly written
Very poorly written
October 16, 2025
love a short little history lesson! excited for the movie!
October 19, 2025
Fantastic short story
Such a interesting story. I had never heard of Sarah and totally enjoyed this book. Quick read between novels. Recommend it for a quick history lesson.
Such a interesting story. I had never heard of Sarah and totally enjoyed this book. Quick read between novels. Recommend it for a quick history lesson.
October 22, 2025
Eu já tinha ouvido falar desta história, mas ouvi-la me fez entender melhor algumas nuances de uma vida no mínimo complexa, marcada pelo racismo e pelo patriarcalismo. Muito boa leitura.
October 23, 2025
Enlightening
A lot of information about how we treated the Indians and Black Americans unjustly. Why we could think that they are not like us is beside me. Great detail.
A lot of information about how we treated the Indians and Black Americans unjustly. Why we could think that they are not like us is beside me. Great detail.
October 24, 2025
What a thought provoking short story. Very interesting and well written!
October 28, 2025
SARAH'S Riches
I loved the story, just wanted to know more about Sarah's life
The book needs more details and information Sarah's day to day life and marriages.
I loved the story, just wanted to know more about Sarah's life
The book needs more details and information Sarah's day to day life and marriages.
November 3, 2025
Saw a trailer for Sarah’s Oil and immediately began researching books about it! Great short story about Sarah and her life. Can’t wait to see the movie!
November 6, 2025
More of a historical account than a story. Also, there are no records of Sarah’s thoughts or opinions as she was growing up through all of this.
November 9, 2025
Interesting
I had never heard of Sarah until reading this story even though I have lived in OK all my life. God rest her soul.
I had never heard of Sarah until reading this story even though I have lived in OK all my life. God rest her soul.
November 13, 2025
Want to see movie
November 15, 2025
Ebook
Kindle Unlimited
3+⭐️ Short Story
Historical Fiction
Kindle Unlimited
3+⭐️ Short Story
Historical Fiction
November 17, 2025
I didn’t finish this book. After more than half the book, I found it very boring.
November 21, 2025
A mini history lesson in the life of a Creek Freedman navigating sudden wealth as a Black girl in the 1910s and 1920s. I’m interested in learning more!
December 25, 2025
A short but interesting true story of Sarah Rector, who became the wealthiest Black girl in Jim Crow era America after oil was discovered on her allotted land.
It was interesting to know that at the time when laws were basically against Black people having any kind of rights, two white people-- Judge Thomas Leahy, the primary judge who oversaw the management of Sarah Rector's fortune and guardianship and T. J. Porter, her guardian chosen by her parents and the judge-- turned out to be her true benefactors who made sure that Sarah's wealth was managed properly and she and her family got to enjoy all the benefits it brought.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Amazon Original Stories and the author for the digital ARC.
It was interesting to know that at the time when laws were basically against Black people having any kind of rights, two white people-- Judge Thomas Leahy, the primary judge who oversaw the management of Sarah Rector's fortune and guardianship and T. J. Porter, her guardian chosen by her parents and the judge-- turned out to be her true benefactors who made sure that Sarah's wealth was managed properly and she and her family got to enjoy all the benefits it brought.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Amazon Original Stories and the author for the digital ARC.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews