The Diamond and the Boy: The Creation of Diamonds & the Life of H. Tracy Hall

Told in a unique dual-narrative format, The Diamond and the Boy follows the stories of both natural diamond creation and the life of H. Tracy Hall, the inventor of a revolutionary diamond-making machine. Perfect for fans of Rosie Revere, Engineer, and On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein. This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 4 to 6. It's a fun way to learn to read and as a supplement for activity books for children.

Before a diamond is a gem, it's a common gray rock called graphite. Through an intense trial of heat and pressure, it changes into one of the most valuable stones in the world.

Before Tracy Hall was an inventor, he was a boy--born into poverty, bullied by peers, forced to work at an early age. However, through education and experimentation, he became one of the brightest innovators of the twentieth century, eventually building a revolutionary machine that makes diamonds.

From debut author Hannah Holt--the granddaughter of Tracy Hall--and illustrator Jay Fleck comes this fascinating in-depth portrait of both rock and man.

Hannah Holt is an engineer and award-winning writer. Some of her favorite childhood memories are of reading stories with her grandpa, Tracy Hall. Hannah thinks great stories and good memories are the best kinds of treasures. She lives in Oregon with her husband and four children. The Diamond and the Boy is her first picture book. She can be found online at www.hannahholt.com.

Jay Fleck drew a lot as a child but grew up to pursue other things, like a degree in computer engineering. He found a renewed interest in art while living in Chicago, inspired by the art and culture found throughout the city. Jay is the author-illustrator of Tilly & Tank and the illustrator of a number of other children's books. He now resides in a suburb south of Chicago with his wife, two children, and loyal dog, Otis. He spends his spare time running, reading, and daydreaming. He can be found online at www.jayfleck.com.