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The Spark
The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing, Genius, and Autism | Kristine Barnett
16 posts | 12 read | 16 to read
Kristine Barnetts son Jacob has an IQ higher than Einsteins, 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 Kristines 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 Jakes most basic skills and curtail his distracting interestsmoving shadows on the wall, stars, plaid patterns on sofa fabricJake 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 Jacobs sparkhis passionate interests. Why concentrate on what he couldnt do? Why not focus on what he could? This basic philosophy, along with her belief in the power of ordinary childhood experiences (softball, picnics, smores 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.Praise for The Spark [An] amazing memoir . . . compulsive reading.The Washington Post The Spark is about the transformative power of unconditional love. If you have a child whos differentand who doesnt?you wont be able to put it down.Sylvia Nasar, author of A Beautiful Mind Love, illness, faith, tragedy and triumphits all here. . . . Jake Barnetts story contains wisdom for every parent.Newsday This eloquent memoir about an extraordinary boy and a resilient and remarkable mother will be of interest to every parent and/or educator hoping to nurture a childs authentic spark.Publishers Weekly Compelling . . . Jake is unusual, but so is his superhuman mom.Booklist The Spark describes in glowing terms the profound intensity with which a mother can love her child.Andrew Solomon, author of The Noonday Demon and 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 BrainFrom the Hardcover edition.
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review
BookwormOfTheDamned
Bailedbailed

The author is a child abuser.

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EadieB
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Day 10 - #AMothersStory #BiblioMaynia
#TheSpark #KristineBarnett

This looks like an interesting book about autism.

OriginalCyn620 Yes it does! 4y
35 likes1 comment
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Centique
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#bookreport #hiselderliness

With the library closed I‘ve been scouring my shelves for non-fiction for my elderly father. He instantly handed The Spark back to me as not being his kind of book. I encouraged him to try it and he loved it. “This is just like me, except I wasn‘t autistic” What he means is that being dyslexic at school in the 30s and 40s meant that he was treated like he wasn‘t good enough ⬇️

Centique when he had a natural ability for maths and engineering. He wishes he‘d had parents that had supported some different kinds of learning like Barnett does. He‘s telling everyone in the family they have to read this book! 5y
Centique He‘s also rereading the many, many boating and exploration books he owns - and discovered one he had forgotten to read - so that‘s a bonus. 5y
Cinfhen I‘m really touched by this post. All these years later your dad finally found validation. He‘s obviously brilliant but never received the proper praise and admiration. So glad he listened to you and read the book despite initial impressions. ❤️ 5y
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Cathythoughts I‘m also very touched by this , that he would discover this now ... that he saw himself here .... god bless him , it‘s always good to know more about ourselves.... ❤️ 5y
Centique @Cinfhen @Cathythoughts thank you both for your lovely words! 😘 Yes and I think he‘s proud of the way he‘s become a bookworm in his 80s too 💕 5y
Clare-Dragonfly What a lovely post! You‘re doing a great job finding books for him. ❤️ 5y
Suet624 My ex-husband is dyslexic and hid it from people for years. Finding audiobooks changed his life. 4y
63 likes7 comments
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Becker
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The story of this autistic child who was found to be a genius was so remarkable that it was almost unbelievable. I had to google him to verify that it was all true. Sure enough, the internet is full of sources that cover his story. This is a real attention grabbing story. 😮

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Amiable
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Pickpick

Jacob Barnett has an IQ that can't be accurately measured. He is also autistic. When he was 2 his parents were told he would never be able to tie his own shoes. Today he is 20, has developed an original theory that may disprove Einstein‘s theory of relativity and is on track to win a Nobel Prize in physics. This memoir by his mom details how the family refused to let his diagnosis limit his abilities and how they nurtured his intellectual gifts.

Suet624 Wow. Amazing. Stack! 6y
62 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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acdiamond
Pickpick

Amazing read!

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Tjackson
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Pickpick

15/52 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 having spent over 20 years teaching and advocating on behalf of gifted in and twice exceptional students, I found myself really enjoying this book. I feel more educators need to read the story so they can have increased empathy and understanding of students with learning differences on both ends of the spectrum. It was very inspirational and I have to admit I did tear up!

53 likes4 stack adds
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Tjackson
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Well said!!!!!!!!!

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Tjackson
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❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ this! We need to take care better care of ourselves!

AndreaReads 🙌🏻 7y
49 likes1 comment
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Tjackson
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No explanation needed! What a great quote.

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Tjackson
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Maddening!!!! When teachers do this to students it infuriates me. Every child is entitled to come to school and make academic growth, at least a years growth in a years time. Bright and gifted students should not be turned into tutors for other children or sit in the back of the room to read independently. I‘m a fan of reading independently, but children need to have direct instruction to ensure that they are learning. This behavior infuriates me!

callielafleur Ahh, I remember having to do SRI reading kits in the back of the room by myself in first grade. Anyone else have to do those? 7y
Tjackson @callielafleur yes!!! I did them, too!!!! 7y
mjdowens I loved SRI! I was always working a few levels above 7y
bookishkai When I got to first grade I tested out of the SRI reading kits. My teacher basically had to wing it for my reading curriculum, which basically amounted to library passes, lots of independent reading, and lessons on how to use a dictionary. 7y
MaureenMc @callielafleur Yes, I remember those! 7y
48 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Tjackson
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This is a powerful statement!

CarolynM Oh yes! 👏👏❤️❤️ 7y
niha923 👏👏👏✔✔✔ 7y
Eggs So true-better to focus on their gifts and strengths than perceived inabilities 7y
readinginthedark ❤️❤️❤️ (edited) 7y
50 likes4 comments
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Tjackson
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I believe this, too! I think children should be provided time to explore their passions in school and at home!

44 likes1 stack add
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Tjackson
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Finished one book and moved right into the next one. This book is work related as I oversee gifted programs and twice exceptional services. It looks like it‘s going to be a quick read and an emotional one.

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kendrastephaniekaryn
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Mehso-so

I expected a lot more from this book, based on recommendations and reviews. It was fascinating and included useful insights about working with children with autism who are also academically gifted. Unfortunately, I felt that the writing was messy and disorganized. I also felt that much of the story was over-embellished and arrogant. Kristine seems to completely discount the advice of experts and special education teachers.

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kendrastephaniekaryn
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I haven't felt like reading much over the past week or so, but I really want to read this one for work. For those who don't know, I teach in a private school for students with major behaviour issues. I have a new student in my classroom, and this book is calling to many of the issues we're dealing with. #autism #teachersoflitsy

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