From School Library Journal
In this stirring follow-up to Cultivating Genius, Muhammad builds upon the framework she introduced therein, adding the pursuit of joy to the four previously identified pursuits of identity; skills; intellect; and criticality, or "developing the ability to read texts to understand power, authority, and anti-oppression." It is through these pursuits, she argues, that educators can work toward making teaching and learning truly student-centered. The author begins by providing historical context for her framework, relying on the literary and educational practices of Black ancestors. From there, she offers practical examples and applications of the framework, including suggested texts, questions for reflection, and sample lesson plans. Muhammad emphasizes the importance of school and district stakeholders undertaking this work in community with one another. The book is firmly grounded in the need for genius, justice, and joy in education, but is also an example of what that can look like; woven throughout the text are poems, artwork, coloring pages, and curated playlists that encourage joy, creativity, and deep reflection. While the author does provide some discussion of her previous work, it is recommended that readers begin with Cultivating Genius. VERDICT Practical, inspiring, and joyous all at once. Outstanding and highly recommended!—Lauren Strohecker
Review
“Hallelujah! Gholdy Muhammad has elevated the conversation about the education of Black and Brown children from detailing their deficits and sterilizing their instruction to creating curriculum that generates joy and genius—for all students, teachers, communities, and ourselves. Her own joy is palpable. She reminds us that we cannot ‘harvest joy and genius’ without attending to justice. This work does it all. Hers is a call to embrace our full humanity—in classrooms and in the world.”
—Lisa Delpit, Felton G. Clark Distinguished Professor of Education at Southern University, emeritus, and author of Other People’s Children: Cultural Conflict in the Classroom
“It is a privilege to spend time inside the beautiful mind of Dr. Muhammad. Unearthing Joy is a continuation of her unparalleled, pedagogical phenomenon, Cultivating Genius. She disperses literature, poetry, and classic song lyrics throughout this masterpiece that speaks to her passion for educating, nurturing, and tilling and watering the souls of our babies—the ‘revolutionary petunias’ and the beautiful ‘Black orchids’ who she loves so deeply.”
—Derrick Barnes, National Book Award Finalist for Victory. Stand!, and Newbery Honor winner for Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut
“Unearthing Joy is THE most important book for educators in a climate that has betrayed the essence of teaching and learning. Through poignant insights, inspirational images, brilliant analysis, and practical examples, Gholdy welcomes us all to replenish the well that springs forth learning. This is a must-have book!!!”
—Christopher Emdin, author of For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood... and the Rest of Y'all Too: Reality Pedagogy and Urban Education
“Brilliant. Beautiful. Humanizing. Joyful. These words describe Muhammad’s Unearthing Joy, a book that asks us to locate joy at the center of teaching and learning because stories matter, human lives matter, and the literacies of Black students matter. This book is “culturally and historically responsive” theory and practice. Sheer genius!”
—Valerie Kinloch, Renée and Richard Goldman Endowed Dean of the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh; President of the National Council of Teachers of English
“Unearthing Joy is a celebration of life in the classroom through pedagogy, curriculum, and the power of the arts. As only Gholdy can do, she presents a breathtaking merging of history, theory, and practice that creates the conditions for joy to blossom and flourish, not only in our schools, but also in our everyday lives. Her book is an instant classic that will be read for years to come.”
—Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, Professor of English Education, Teachers College, Columbia University; author of Love from the Vortex & Other Poems and The Peace Chronicles
“Everything we need to tap into the greatest sense of our humanity can be found in this book. Drawing upon the brilliance of the ancestors to inform her own genius, Gholdy creates the melody for (re)imagining curriculum, instruction, and ourselves to cultivate educational spaces where all children thrive. Unearthing Joy is a clarion call for justice-centered, intellectually engaging teaching that is guided by love and joy.”
—Sonja Cherry-Paul, founder of Red Clay Educators; author of Breathing New Life Into Book Clubs: A Practical Guide for Teachers and adapter of Stamped (For Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You
“Gholdy Muhammad has delivered an essential gift to all of us who care deeply about the importance of revealing brilliance in every child. She presents a fascinating cultural history, as well as an interactive guidebook that revolutionizes how we embolden children. Unearthing Joy is a roadmap for celebrating the inherent worth in each student, and an indispensable treasure.”
—Andrea Davis Pinkney, New York Times bestselling author of Because of You, John Lewis
“In Unearthing Joy, Dr. Muhammad pushes educators into the next (and often, forgotten) steps of liberation—the pathways to joy and love. While most educators merely critique various forms of oppression, she teaches us how to use ancestral and community knowledge to complete all aspects of our humanity in schools. Without joy and love, humanity cannot exist, and schools cannot truly be spaces of liberation and justice.”
—Muhammad Khalifa, Professor of Educational Administration, The Ohio State University; author of Culturally Responsive School Leadership
“Unearthing Joy is revolutionary and revolution at the same time. If you want to (re)member the spirit and purpose of your work, read this book. It is layered with joy, wisdom, and practical ideas for creating the kind of curriculum that will not only save education, but also save those who teach, learn, and lead. Dr. Muhammad’s clear-eyed framework will make you exhale anything that does not see the genius in Black and Brown children, and breathe in love and joy. Asè.”
—Cynthia B. Dillard, Dean and Professor, Seattle University College of Education; author of The Spirit of Our Work: Black Women Teachers (Re)member
“Our children need every single word of Unearthing Joy. What Gholdy has created is a gift to our field that will inspire us all. You can’t read this book without smiling, feeling loved, and unearthing your joy for teaching. Gholdy has done it again! She is the curriculum scholar of our time. She is in a lane by herself, and we all need to get behind her and follow because not only will our classrooms be better for it, but our world will be, too. In the words of Stevie Wonder, she is education’s ‘Golden Lady.’”
—Bettina L. Love, author of We Want to Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom
“Unearthing Joy is so much more than a book about what can happen in classrooms. It is a revolutionary call to action, as well as a text for healing and enriching the lives of its readers. From layered playlists to actionable examples, it is a revelation. Written from a place of deeply felt love for the possibilities in classrooms, Gholdy Muhammad’s latest book demands that we sink our hands deep into the loam of pedagogy and start planting for a joyful harvest.”
—Antero Garcia, Associate Professor, Stanford University; author of Civics for the World to Come: Committing to Democracy in Every Classroom
“Unearthing Joy is a soul-stirring, magnificently written book that every educator, policymaker, community organizer, caregiver, and family member should read. Centering the tremendously diverse and robust genius of young people, Muhammad shepherds readers into reflective spaces of the cognitive, the intellectual, the affective, the emotional, and the aesthetic to influence, transform, and shape. This is a transdisciplinary book about hope, healing, joy, imagination, design, love, and the human spirit that teaches as it inspires.”
—H. Richard Milner IV, author of Start Where You Are, But Don’t Stay There: Understanding Diversity, Opportunity Gaps, and Teaching in Today's Classrooms
“Unearthing Joy is a beautiful blend of music, art, poetry, and educational excellence for teaching and learning in schools and classrooms. Revisiting the Black past, this book is helpful for teachers and leaders who seek to unearth the beauty, justice, and joy within each of their students.”
—Joyce E. King, Benjamin E. Mays Endowed Chair for Urban Teaching, Learning & Leadership, Georgia State University
About the Author
Dr. Gholnecsar (Gholdy) Muhammad is a Professor of Curriculum with a focus in literacy, language, and culture. She has served as a classroom teacher, literacy specialist, school district administrator, curriculum director, and school board president. She studies Black historical excellence in education, with the goal of reframing curriculum and instruction today, and has received numerous honors and awards for that work Dr. Muhammad's scholarship has appeared in leading academic journals and books. Her HILL Model has been adopted in thousands of schools and districts.
