NATIONAL BESTSELLER
“In this incredibly moving memoir, Kristine Barnett shares her family’s journey with Jacob’s autism. A story about one mother’s unrelenting faith and determination, it’s required reading for anyone who’s ever been told they can’t.”
—Chatelaine
"Not only does The Spark give us insights into the fantastically complex world of autism and its effect on families, but it's a galloping read, full of heart and self-deprecating humour."
—Toronto Star
“The book’s simple takeaway will resonate with parents of any stripe: Best outcomes often happen when we let our kids pursue their interests in as unfettered manner as possible, even if that simply means getting out of their way. . . . For anyone interested in the frontiers of the human intellect, it's a fascinating portrayal of an off-the-charts genius with a singular ability to combine savant-like mathematical skills and perfect memory with profound analytical thought.”
—The Globe and Mail
“The extraordinary memoir of a mother’s love, commitment and nurturing. . . . Kristine Barnett’s story of what can happen when we keep our minds open to a child’s true potential informs our evolving perceptions of autism.”
—The Bookseller
“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
“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
“With passion and grace, Barnett covers Jake’s transformation, how close he came to being ‘lost’ in a special ed system focused on what children ‘can’t do’. . . . 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 child’s authentic ‘spark.’”
—Publishers Weekly
“Every parent and teacher should read this fabulous book!”
—Temple Grandin, author of Thinking in Pictures and co-author of The Autistic Brain
“After author Kristine Barnett’s son, Jacob, is diagnosed with autism, she makes a simple but radical discovery: that his innate interests are the key to freeing him. By facing down the experts’ assumptions about him—including a teacher who tells her to put away the alphabet cards because he will never learn to read—with the inspired decision to follow him where his mind longs to go, she is able to ignite his passions, and his genius. Jacob’s growth from the silent confines of his early autism diagnosis to his explosive understanding of astronomy, physics and math is thrilling, not only because his mind is so compelling but because Barnett herself thinks like a renegade, and a generous one. As the owner of a daycare center, she is able to apply her theory to numerous children, many who are brought long distances by their parents in order to bask in her unique vision, with startling results. This is a galloping story, full of the wonderfully messy complications of special needs, genius and Barnett-family life, full of heart. Anyone who has children or works with them, or simply wants to know an intrinsic truth about how we learn, will get something from The Spark.”
—Maria Mutch, author of Know the Night
“[A] compelling memoir. . . . Jake is unusual, but so is his superhuman mom.”
—Booklist
