About
Patsi B. Trollinger is the author of fiction and narrative nonfiction for young readers, including the biography Perfect Timing, honored as a Junior Library Guild selection and a CCBC best book for children. Her other published work for young readers is Thrill in the ’Ville, a humorous novel starring a sixth grade boy as an anti-political pundit. Trollinger also has written extensively for general-circulation magazines, producing feature stories on topics ranging from sports to the the arts. Born and raised in the Appalachian foothills of Tennessee, she was steeped in the oral tradition of storytelling. Trollinger now resides in Kentucky and holds an MFA degree in writing for children and youth adults.
Featured Work
Perfect Timing: How Isaac Murphy Became the World's Greatest Jockey
Born into slavery in 1861, Isaac Murphy was freed by the Civil War and, at age 12, found a chance opportunity to work with horses. He proved to be brilliant at racing, becoming the first jockey to win three Kentucky Derbies. Murphy became one of the wealthiest and most famous African-Americans of his era, respected for his worth ethic and character yet also subjected to discrimination. Perfect Timing is a succinct illustrated biography that allows young readers to experience the excitement of horse racing alongside Isaac, along with the socio-political forces that had the power to create opportunity -- and then eliminate it.
