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    The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing Genius
    Unavailable
    The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing Genius
    Unavailable
    The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing Genius
    Audiobook10 hours

    The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing Genius

    Written by Kristine Barnett

    Narrated by Kathe Mazur

    5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    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.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateApr 9, 2013
    ISBN9780449009635
    Unavailable
    The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing Genius

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    • 5/5
      It’s exactly what I needed.The self care tips alone in this books will change my life forever as well as the lives of my children. Getting back to our senses and disconnecting from this face pace life is what we all need. The grass, the stars, the cold popsicles down your face, the warm blanket from the dryer. It all makes sense. I now see my kids differently, their tantrums- simply needs unmet- makes sense. They have had to focus all day when they come home letting them do something that recharges them is essential, something they want to do, something that sparked joy in them. It’s been 2 weeks since I’ve started reading this book and my son’s behaviour has changed dramatically. Thank you for making me see my kids through new eyes as well as myself! I’m excited for the next step in our lives as well all rediscover our spark!