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The Diamond and the Boy: The Creation of Diamonds & The Life of H. Tracy Hall Hardcover – Illustrated, October 2, 2018

by Hannah Holt (Author), Jay Fleck (Illustrator)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 79 ratings
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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.

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    4 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    40 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  5. Dimensions
    9.8 x 0.3 x 9.7 inches
  6. Publisher
    Balzer + Bray
  7. Publication date
    October 2, 2018
  8. ISBN-10
    0062659030
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0062659033
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A gem of a biography.” — Booklist (starred review)

From the Back Cover

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 thetwentieth century, eventually building a revolutionary machine that makes diamonds.

Told in a unique dual-narrative format, The Diamond and the Boy follows the stories of both natural diamond creation and the life of Tracy Hall, inventor of diamond-making machines. 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.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Balzer + Bray; Illustrated edition (October 2, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062659030
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062659033
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 8 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.1 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.8 x 0.3 x 9.7 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 79 ratings

About the author

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Hannah Holt

Hannah Holt

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Hannah Holt is a children's author with an engineering degree. Her books weave together her love of language and learning. In her spare time she likes hiking, playing with her four children, and eating chocolate chip cookies. Find out more about her at hannahholt.com

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
79 global ratings
A Real Gem!
5 Stars
A Real Gem!
Love the dual storyline of this nonfiction. It’s so interesting to watch the diamond and the boy grow. And your young gamers will really dig it! A must buy for Minecraft fans.
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Top reviews from the United States

Alayne Kay Christian - Author of The Weed That Woke Christmas; An Old Man and His Penguin; Butterfly Kisses for Grandma and Grandpa; and the Sienna the Cowgirl Fairy chapter book series.
5.0 out of 5 stars This story shines like—dare I say it—a diamond!
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2018
Verified Purchase
Two wonderful stories in one book told together as one unique and educational story. Hannah Holt has worked magic with her words to tell her grandfather H. Tracy Hall’s story of a difficult childhood, a boy with a curious mind, and a man who invents the machine that makes the man-made diamond. But Holt doesn’t stop there. On alternating pages we get to see her lyrical voice share the story of a rock that mirrors H. Tracy Hall’s journey in its own journey through the earth, waiting deep below in heat, feeling the pressure build and on and on until, the natural diamond is born. This skillfully told parallel story is enhanced by wonderfully creative Jay Fleck’s illustrations. Not only is the story an engaging pleasure to read, it also provides an excellent message of overcoming hardship and struggle through patience, persistence, and drive. Sometimes the way things begin is not the way they end. The story also includes back matter about how both the natural diamond and the man-made diamond have impacted humans in positive and negative ways.
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C. S. Petersen
5.0 out of 5 stars My wife's Book of the Year
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2022
Verified Purchase
Tracy Hall was my wife's uncle, so both she and I knew him pretty well. This book was a delightful view of his early life and formative years. Great for kids who are at all ambitious in the field of science, or just want to hear a true tale of a poor kid who made it good.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating story for young and old.
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2020
Verified Purchase
I highly recommend "The Diamond and the Boy". The parallel stories of the diamond being formed and the boy developing his love of science and eventually creating a diamond is so interesting. The things the diamond goes through in its development like stress and heat as it is formed, the boy similarly experiences as he grows up. Such a clever approach. Young children will appreciate the images and poetic text, and even the most grown up scientist-wanna-be, will be fascinated by the elevated text and subject matter. I would even gift this to an adult who loves science.
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Carrie Finison
5.0 out of 5 stars This book absolutely sparkles!
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2018
Verified Purchase
My diamond-obsessed Minecrafter was SO interested in this book. The story is told in a unique format, showing the parallel stories of the formation of a natural diamond, alongside the life of Tracy Hall who invented the machine to make diamonds in a lab. The back matter reveals much more about the diamond trade, machine-made diamonds, and the fact that Tracy Hall was also the author’s grandfather, which makes the book all the more compelling. Most of all what I loved was the message – sometimes success takes a long time and a lot of effort, but persevering through adversity can lead to great things.
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Vivian Kirkfield
5.0 out of 5 stars A Shining Example of What a Perfect Nonfiction Picture Book Should Be!!!
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2018
Verified Purchase
A gripping account of the formation of a diamond and the life of a boy - a particular boy - the inventor of the machine that creates industrial diamonds. The lyrical text engages the reader and the brilliant illustrations will keep kids turning the pages until the dramatic and satisfying ending. Stellar back matter is provided by the author, who is the granddaughter of the inventor.
A many layered book that shows how a childhood of poverty and experiences with bullying could not squash the spirit of genius. As an educator and as a parent, I highly recommend this book!
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D. M. Tulloch
5.0 out of 5 stars A unique treasure of two stories in one book.
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2019
Verified Purchase
This is a unique two for one story told in beautiful lyrical language. A boy's struggle and inquisitive mind flourishes to become a renowned inventor. The rock told in parallel with the boy, shows the changes it endures exploding into precious diamonds as we know and wear today. Told by the inventor's granddaughter and illustrated in bold colours makes this a treasured book for classrooms, libraries and inquisitive young minds everywhere.
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Melissa Stoller
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent debut!
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2018
Verified Purchase
An excellent picture book debut. The structure of the story follows the creation of a natural diamond, and the creation of a man-made diamond, invented by the author's grandfather. Suspense builds in both the natural and the inventor's world. The author also provides enriching back matter: a timeline about the history of diamonds and her grandfather's legacy, photographs of her grandfather, and resources for further learning.
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Carrie
5.0 out of 5 stars This book shines!
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2019
Verified Purchase
In Hannah Holt and Jay Fleck's "The Diamond and the Boy," readers will delight in the parallel story structure detailing the development of both natural diamonds, and the boy who overcame many challenges and grew into the man who became the inventor of synthetic diamonds. This book is stunning, with its lyrical prose, unique format, and beautiful illustrations.
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Top reviews from other countries

grainne m mchale
5.0 out of 5 stars I'm an adult and got it for myself.
Reviewed in Canada on May 18, 2021
Verified Purchase
It's flipping EPIC. I had no idea that someone discovered how to MAKE real diamonds in a lab. I was thoroughly inspired and invigorated. And I'm an adult! Think of what it would do to a kid! Love it love it love it. Thank you Tracy Hall for being alive and putting your great talents to an excellent and noble use!! Highly recommend this book for any age.
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