Meet the Author - Melissa Koch
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Stone by Stone: A Rock’s Journey Through Time takes readers on a lyrical journey through the world’s stone structures, revealing their geological and sociological significance. The story begins with a dynamic view of Earth’s rock cycle before delving into the many ways humans have used stones throughout history. From the stacked stones that guide our way to the stone walls that separate us, our stone structures tell our tale. Stone by stone we can rebuild, reconnect, and reimagine new possibilities.
“A book that’s as tactile as its subject, at once intimate and epic.” – Publishers Weekly, starred review
“A thoughtful look at the stories stone can tell.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Sure to leave younger readers with a greater appreciation for this most common, versatile, and durable of materials.” – School Library Journal
Melissa Koch is an author of nonfiction children’s books and inventor of digital learning environments for children and their teachers. She has led the education vision, development, and research strategy for education innovations for learners of all at ages at a variety of organizations, including SRI International’s Center for Technology in Learning, Anita Borg Institute, Pearson, Houghton Mifflin, The Learning Company, PBS, The Edison Project, RealCommunities, Girls Incorporated, and O’Reilly & Associates.
She specializes in developing materials that encourage youth from diverse backgrounds to pursue their dreams in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Her culturally-relevant STEM curricula activities have received recognition from the National Science Foundation, White House Science Fair, PBS, and others.
Melissa’s nonfiction children’s books focus on making science and social justice personal and valuable to kids. In addition to her debut picture book, Stone by Stone (Holiday House, 2026), other recent publications for the young adult audience include Forest Talk: How Trees Communicate; 3D Printing: The Revolution in Personalized Manufacturing; Teachers, Schools, and Society: A Brief Introduction to Education, 6th edition. She also co-authored “Gender Bias: Past, Present, and Future” in Multicultural Education, 10th edition for adults of all ages.
She lives with her husband, son, and Labrador retriever in the Driftless Region of Iowa.
“A book that’s as tactile as its subject, at once intimate and epic.” – Publishers Weekly, starred review
“A thoughtful look at the stories stone can tell.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Sure to leave younger readers with a greater appreciation for this most common, versatile, and durable of materials.” – School Library Journal
Melissa Koch is an author of nonfiction children’s books and inventor of digital learning environments for children and their teachers. She has led the education vision, development, and research strategy for education innovations for learners of all at ages at a variety of organizations, including SRI International’s Center for Technology in Learning, Anita Borg Institute, Pearson, Houghton Mifflin, The Learning Company, PBS, The Edison Project, RealCommunities, Girls Incorporated, and O’Reilly & Associates.
She specializes in developing materials that encourage youth from diverse backgrounds to pursue their dreams in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Her culturally-relevant STEM curricula activities have received recognition from the National Science Foundation, White House Science Fair, PBS, and others.
Melissa’s nonfiction children’s books focus on making science and social justice personal and valuable to kids. In addition to her debut picture book, Stone by Stone (Holiday House, 2026), other recent publications for the young adult audience include Forest Talk: How Trees Communicate; 3D Printing: The Revolution in Personalized Manufacturing; Teachers, Schools, and Society: A Brief Introduction to Education, 6th edition. She also co-authored “Gender Bias: Past, Present, and Future” in Multicultural Education, 10th edition for adults of all ages.
She lives with her husband, son, and Labrador retriever in the Driftless Region of Iowa.
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Host or PublisherBeaverdale Books
