Title: M.C. Higgins, the Great
Author: Virginia Hamilton
Publisher: Macmillan (U.S. first edition) Hamish Hamilton (U.K. edition)
Year: 1974 (original publication)
ISBN: 0027424804 (first edition)
Page Count: 278 pages (first edition)
Content Summary (2–5 sentences):M.C. Higgins, the Great is a coming‑of‑age novel set on Sarah’s Mountain in the Appalachian region, where teenager Mayo Cornelius “M.C.” Higgins confronts the dangers of encroaching strip‑mining near his family’s home. Over three eventful days, M.C. grapples with protecting his family, understanding his heritage, and deciding whether to leave the mountain or fight for it. The story blends realism, environmental tension, African‑American cultural heritage, and personal growth. It won the Newbery Medal, the National Book Award, and the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award — the first book ever to win all three.
Tier Classification: Academic Corridor → Literary Analysis Tier (Justified because the book is a complex, award‑winning coming‑of‑age novel with deep thematic content.)
Shelf Code: AC‑LA‑HAMILTON‑MCHIGGINS‑74 (Academic • Literary Analysis • Author • Title • Year)
Khan Academy Mapping:
Reading: theme, symbolism, character motivation
ELA: narrative structure, conflict, setting analysis
SEL: identity, family dynamics, decision‑making (Aligned with upper‑middle‑grade comprehension expectations.)
Alison Credential Mapping:
Critical Thinking & Problem‑Solving
Environmental Awareness
Communication & Reflection Skills (Aligned with soft‑skills and personal development modules.)
Corridor Alignment: Academic Corridor → Literary Analysis Civic Identity Corridor → Heritage, Identity, Community Field‑Study Corridor → Environmental Literacy (strip‑mining impact)
Node Placement: Node A‑5: Advanced Literary Analysis Node C‑3: Identity & Heritage Node FS‑2: Environmental Systems & Human Impact
Title: M.C. Higgins, the Great
Author: Virginia Hamilton
Publisher: Macmillan (U.S. first edition) Hamish Hamilton (U.K. edition)
Year: 1974 (original publication)
ISBN: 0027424804 (first edition)
Page Count: 278 pages (first edition)
Content Summary (2–5 sentences):M.C. Higgins, the Great is a coming‑of‑age novel set on Sarah’s Mountain in the Appalachian region, where teenager Mayo Cornelius “M.C.” Higgins confronts the dangers of encroaching strip‑mining near his family’s home. Over three eventful days, M.C. grapples with protecting his family, understanding his heritage, and deciding whether to leave the mountain or fight for it. The story blends realism, environmental tension, African‑American cultural heritage, and personal growth. It won the Newbery Medal, the National Book Award, and the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award — the first book ever to win all three.
Tier Classification: Academic Corridor → Literary Analysis Tier (Justified because the book is a complex, award‑winning coming‑of‑age novel with deep thematic content.)
Shelf Code: AC‑LA‑HAMILTON‑MCHIGGINS‑74 (Academic • Literary Analysis • Author • Title • Year)
Khan Academy Mapping:
Reading: theme, symbolism, character motivation
ELA: narrative structure, conflict, setting analysis
SEL: identity, family dynamics, decision‑making (Aligned with upper‑middle‑grade comprehension expectations.)
Alison Credential Mapping:
Critical Thinking & Problem‑Solving
Environmental Awareness
Communication & Reflection Skills (Aligned with soft‑skills and personal development modules.)
Corridor Alignment: Academic Corridor → Literary Analysis Civic Identity Corridor → Heritage, Identity, Community Field‑Study Corridor → Environmental Literacy (strip‑mining impact)
Node Placement: Node A‑5: Advanced Literary Analysis Node C‑3: Identity & Heritage Node FS‑2: Environmental Systems & Human Impact
