The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing Genius

The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing 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 two and a half Jake could arrange his pencils in the colours of the spectrum, and tell the time precisely by the shadows on his bedroom wall. 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 aged twelve he became a paid researcher in quantum physics. But the story of Jake is all the more remarkable because his extraordinary mind was almost lost to autism.

The Spark is the story of a remarkable mother and son. For once that terrible diagnosis was made, Kristine, who ran a children's nursery herself, determined that the experts were wrong in almost all the therapies they prescribed. Why concentrate on improving what he couldn't do and didn't enjoy, when there were things he loved? Relying on the insights she developed at her nursery, Kristine resolved to follow Jacob's 'spark' – his passionate interests. The basic philosophy, along with her belief in the power of ordinary childhood experiences (softball, picnics, looking at the stars around the campfire) and the importance of play, helped Jake overcome huge odds. The results were beyond anything anyone could have imagined.

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.

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.

The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing Genius
Penguin Australia
Author: Kristine Barnett
ISBN: 9780241145678
RRP: $29.99