Sally Senzell Isaacs grew up in Evansville, Indiana, and graduated from Indiana University. She served as Editorial Director of Readers Digest Educational Division before becoming a professional writer. She has written over 40 books about American history and other social studies topics for children. In 2005, her book Cattle Trails and Cowboys (Heinemann Library) won the award for Best Childrens Book on Texas History, given by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.