A Mother's Story of Nurturing Genius

The Spark

The extraordinary memoir of a mother's love, commitment, and nurturing, which allowed her son, originally diagnosed with autism, to flourish into a universally recognized genius - and how any parent can help their child find their spark. 
 
Kristine Barnett's son Jacob is today, at age thirteen, working on extending Einstein's theory of relativity, and is a paid researcher in quantum physics. Yet at three, after an autism diagnosis, Jacob was assigned to life-skills classes, his parents told to adjust their expectations. The goalpost was to be tying his own shoes at sixteen. 
 
The Spark is a testimony to Kristine's belief in the power of hope, and the dazzling possibilities that can occur when we keep our minds open and learn how to fuel the potential that exists in every child.

The Spark is Kristine Barnett's remarkable memoir about being mother to a genius. 
 
Kristine Barnett's son Jacob has an IQ higher than Einstein's, a photographic memory, and he taught himself calculus in two weeks. At nine he started working on an original theory in astrophysics that experts believe may someday put him in line for a Nobel Prize, and at age twelve he became a paid researcher in quantum physics. But the story of Kristine's journey with Jake is all the more remarkable because his extraordinary mind was almost lost to autism. At age two, when Jake was diagnosed, Kristine was told he might never be able to tie his own shoes. 
 
Dramatic, inspiring, and transformative, The Spark is about the power of love and courage in the face of overwhelming obstacles, and the dazzling possibilities that can occur when we learn how to tap the true potential that lies within every child, and in all of us. 
 
'The Spark is about the transformative power of unconditional love. If you have a child who's 'different' - and who doesn't? - you won't be able to put it down' Sylvia Nasar, author of A Beautiful Mind 
 
'The Spark describes in glowing terms the profound intensity with which a mother can love her child' Andrew Solomon, author of Far from the Tree 
 
'Every parent and teacher should read this fabulous book!' Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures and co-author of The Autistic Brain 
 
 
Kristine Barnett lives in Indiana with her husband, Michael, and their children. In 1996 she founded Acorn Hill Academy, a daycare serving local families. She and Michael currently run a charitable community centre for autistic and special-needs children and their families called Jacob's Place.

Kristine Barnett is the mother of Jacob Barnett and his three younger siblings. She runs a daycare that includes both typical and special-needs children. She is also the founder of MyJacobsPlace, a non-profit organization designed to help children with autism, as well as an award-winning sports league for autistic children.

Kristine Barnett

A Mother's Story of Nurturing, Genius and Autism

'The Spark describes in glowing terms the profound intensity with which a mother can love her child' Andrew Solomon, author of Far from the Tree 
 
'Extraordinary. A story of triumph against the odds and it's one that [Kristine] Barnett insists other parents can learn from' Sunday Times 
 
Kristine Barnett's son Jacob has an IQ higher than Einstein and a photographic memory. At nine he developed an original theory in astrophysics that may earn a Nobel Prize. But Jake's story is all the more remarkable because his extraordinary mind was almost lost to autism. 
 
When the experts wanted to restrict his behaviour - staring at shadows on the wall, stars, patterns - Jake withdrew into his own world. But against all the advice, Kristine decided to follow Jacob's passions - his 'spark'. The results were beyond anything anyone could have imagined. 
 
Dramatic and inspiring, The Spark is about the power of love and what can happen when we tap the true potential that lies within every child. 
 
'If you have a child who's 'different' - and who doesn't? - you won't be able to put it down' Sylvia Nasar, author of A Beautiful Mind 
 
'Every parent and teacher should read this fabulous book!' Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures and co-author of The Autistic Brain 
 
'Astonishing, remarkable' Mail on Sunday 
 
'Amazing, compulsive reading. Barnett not only fights heroically on Jake's behalf, she also beats down every other obstacle that life hurls at her and her family' Washington Post

Kristine Barnett

The Spark

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