Riding for America: A Journey of Hope
Introducing the inspiring YA novel by Nancy Hays and Audiobook narrated by Amir Abdullah.
Midwest Book Review by Editor in Chief, James A. Cox calls Riding for America...
"Deftly crafted, impressively engaging, exceptionally
informative, and rescuing from an undeserved obscurity the
fascinating life and impressive, trail-blazing career of an African-
American athlete, this paperback edition of "Riding for America: The
Story of Isaac Murphy - Sports Icon of the 19th Century" from Nancy
Hays Entertainment is a unique and unreservedly recommended
addition to personal reading lists, as well as family, middle school,
high school, and community library 19th Century African-American
Sports History/Biography collections."
About the Book
Riding for America is a story about a mother's sacrifice and inspiration as she guides her son to become the highest-paid and most successful sports icon of the 19th century. This book tells the story of their journey from slavery to the thrill of sports success, fame, and fortune.
Isaac Murphy was a superstar with class, sophistication, and impeccable integrity. His life exemplifies perseverance and triumph against unimaginable odds. Isaac was a great son, pupil, mentor, husband, friend-and a great American. He deserves to be remembered and celebrated as one of the most extraordinary sports heroes in U.S. history.
A page-turner and a quick read, Riding for America moves at a fast pace with unpredictable twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats throughout.
About the Author
Nancy Hays' love of horses began in childhood, taking lessons at Stonegate Stables in Central Illinois and at Campo Fiesta in Northern Wisconsin. During her grammar school years, her beloved Aunt Lee, a librarian at the New York Public Library, gifted her the book King of the Wind, about a young African boy and a Thoroughbred Arabian racehorse. Other inspirations include Black Beauty, A Horse and His Boy, and the movies Seabiscuit and Secretariat. Riding for America is Nancy's passion project, which began as an inspiration in 2019 after reading about Isaac Murphy's story while producing an event at the Kentucky Derby Museum. During the pandemic, Nancy commissioned her son, Eddie Heffernan, a screenwriter, to assist her in creating a screenplay, stage play, and Young Adult novel about a remarkable mother named America, who raised the greatest sports icon of the 19th century.
For Information about Goodreads, Amazon Giveaway Promotions and Author Appearances, please contact, Nancy Hays at nhaysent@aol.com
About the Narrator
The audiobook is narrated by Amir Abdullah (Empire, NBC's Chicago Med, The Odd Couple and others), an award winning narrator who has voiced 66 books including, I Am Not Sidney Poitier by 2025 Pulitzer Prize and 2024 National Book Award recipient, Percival Everett. (4 hour total narration time)
IN DEVELOPMENT
Riding for America Picture Book (ages 5-9)
By Nancy Hays and Award Winning Illustrator,
Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Jan Spivey Gilchrist, https://janspiveygilchrist.com