Patsi B. Trollinger grew up in a family that valued books and stories. She began writing poems in third grade, short stories in middle school, and news stories during high school, when she worked as a teen correspondent for a local newspaper, the Kingsport Times-News. After graduating from college, Trollinger pursued a career in journalism and public relations, writing frequent news and magazine articles. She also has written plays and essays. Her work has appeared in Ladybug and other magazines including Keeneland and Back Home in Kentucky. Perfect Timing is her first book. She became interested in writing about Isaac Murphy after seeing a short, six-line story about him in a local newspaper. Months of research followed before the book became reality.

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Isaac Murphy was twelve years old when he climbed on a horse named Volcano. That ride ended with Isaac in the dirt, but within a few years, he was one of the most famous athletes in America. Perfect Timing features dramatic scenes of horseracing and the inspiring true story of a boy.

Viking Books - 2006
Ages 7 and up
Illustrated by
Jerome Lagarrigue