The Spark

The Spark is Kristine Barnett's remarkable memoir about being mother to a 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 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.

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.

'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

'The Spark describes in glowing terms the profound intensity with which a mother can love her child' Andrew Solomon, author of 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 Brain

'A story of triumph against the odds . . . a timely and important message, dramatically told' Sunday Times

'A remarkable book' Mail on Sunday


Kristine Barnett lives in Indiana with her husband, Michael, and their children. In 1996 she founded Acorn Hill Academy, a daycare serving local families. She and Michael currently run a charitable community centre for autistic and special-needs children and their families called Jacob's Place.