Purchase
Random House
April 2013
On Sale: April 17, 2013
Featuring: Jacob Barnett
272 pages
ISBN: 0812993373
EAN: 9780679645245
Kindle: B009QJMV8A
Hardcover / e-Book
Add to Wish List
Non-Fiction Memoir
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.
Comments
No comments posted.
Registered users may leave comments.
Log in or register now!
| 
© 2003-2025 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy