The Spark

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.

The Spark is a remarkable memoir of mother and son. Surrounded by “experts” at

home and in special ed who tried to focus on Jake’s most basic skills and

curtail his distracting interests—moving shadows on the wall, stars, plaid

patterns on sofa fabric—Jake made no progress, withdrew more and more into his

own world, and eventually stopped talking completely. Kristine knew in her

heart that she had to make a change. Against the advice of her husband,

Michael, and the developmental specialists, Kristine followed her instincts,

pulled Jake out of special ed, and began preparing him for mainstream

kindergarten on her own.

Relying on the insights she developed at the daycare center she runs out of

the garage in her home, Kristine resolved to follow Jacob’s “spark”—his

passionate interests. Why concentrate on what he couldn’t do? Why not focus on

what he could? This basic philosophy, along with her belief in the power of

ordinary childhood experiences (softball, picnics, s’mores around the

campfire) and the importance of play, helped Kristine overcome huge odds.

The Barnetts were not wealthy people, and in addition to financial hardship,

Kristine herself faced serious health issues. But through hard work and

determination on behalf of Jake and his two younger brothers, as well as an

undying faith in their community, friends, and family, Kristine and Michael

prevailed. 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.