Searching for Sarah Rector: The Richest Black Girl in America

The incredible and little-known story of Sarah Rector, once the wealthiest Black woman in America, from Coretta Scott King Honor Award winner Tonya Bolden

Searching for Sarah Rector brings to light the intriguing mystery of Sarah Rector, who was born into an impoverished family in 1902 in Indian Territory and later was famously hailed by the Chicago Defender as "the wealthiest colored girl in the world."

Author Tonya Bolden sets Rector's rags-to-riches tale against the backdrop of American history, including the creation of Indian Territory; the making of Oklahoma, with its Black towns and boomtowns; and the wild behavior of many greedy and corrupt adults.

At the age of eleven, Sarah was a very rich young girl. Even so, she was powerless . . . helpless in the whirlwind of drama--and danger--that swirled around her. Then one day word came that she had disappeared.

This is her story, and the story of other children like her, filled with ups and downs, bizarre goings-on, and a heap of crimes.

Out of a trove of primary documents, including court and census records, as well as interviews with family members, Bolden painstakingly pieces together the events of Sarah's life.

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Published: 01/07/2014
Pages: 80
Weight: 1.65lbs
Size: 10.10h x 10.00w x 0.90d
ISBN: 9781419708466
Age: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 6.9
Point Value: 2
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 164233 / Searching for Sarah Rector: The Richest Black Girl in America


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 11/15/2013
School Library Journal 01/01/2014 pg. 118
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 01/01/2014 pg. 258
Essence 02/01/2014 pg. 60
Shelf Awareness 01/24/2014
Booklist 02/01/2014 pg. 58
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2014 - Recommended, Satisfactory

About the Author
Tonya Bolden has written a number of books about the African American experience. Her work has garnered much praise, including the Coretta Scott King Honor Award, James Madison Book Award, School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, YALSA Best Book of the Year, and CCBC Best Book of the Year. She lives in New York City.