Across Five Aprils facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Irene Hunt |
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| Illustrator | Albert John Pucci |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Historical novel |
| Publisher | Follett |
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Publication date
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1964 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 190 |
| ISBN | 978-0-425-10241-1 |
Across Five Aprils is a powerful novel by Irene Hunt, published in 1964. It won a Newbery Honor in 1965. The story takes place during the Civil War in the United States. Irene Hunt wrote this book based on stories her grandfather told her about his own childhood during the war. Many people consider Across Five Aprils to be one of the first "Young Adult" novels.
Contents
About the Author and Her Book
Irene Hunt wrote Across Five Aprils when she was 57 years old. She did a lot of research to make sure the historical facts were correct. She also used stories her own grandfather told her about his life during the Civil War.
Her grandfather was only nine years old when the war began, just like Jethro, the main character in the book. This helped Hunt imagine what a family went through during that difficult time. The Creighton family, featured in the book, was inspired by real stories and records.
What the Story is About
The Creighton Family and Their Farm
The story begins in April 1861 on the Creighton farm in Jasper County, Illinois. Matthew and Ellen Creighton have a large family. Four of their children—Bill, Tom, Jenny, and Jethro—still live at home. Their son John lives nearby with his family. Matthew's nephew, Eb Carron, also lives with them.
The youngest son, Jethro, is nine years old. He is the main character of the story. The family's schoolteacher, Shadrach Yale, sees great potential in Jethro. Shadrach is also in love with 14-year-old Jenny Creighton.
The Start of the Civil War
One day, Jethro and his mother Ellen are planting potatoes. They don't know that the country's problems have already led to war. Ellen worries about her older sons joining the fight. Jethro, like his brother Tom and cousin Eb, is excited about the idea of war. He doesn't fully understand what it will really be like.
Later, their nephew Wilse Graham visits from Kentucky. During dinner, the family discusses the war. Wilse believes the North is attacking the South's way of life. Bill, usually quiet, agrees with Wilse, even though he doesn't support slavery. Matt Creighton, Jethro's father, believes slavery is wrong. This discussion makes Jethro realize that war is more complicated than he thought.
That night, Shadrach Yale returns with big news: Fort Sumter has been attacked. The war has officially begun.
Family Decisions and Departures
The first battles happen without the Creighton family. In the fall, Tom and Eb leave to join the army. John plans to leave after the harvest. Shadrach plans to stay until the winter school term ends.
Bill, however, is troubled. He attends rallies but seems unsure about the war. In late autumn, he argues with his brother John. Bill decides to leave for Kentucky. He tells Jethro, "My heart ain't in this war." He feels that neither side is completely right. If he has to fight, he says, it will be for the South.
Jethro's Growing Responsibilities
In February 1862, Jethro spends an evening with Shadrach Yale, his admired teacher. Shadrach plans to marry Jenny and move east. He wants to take Jethro with them so Jethro can continue his schooling. Shadrach gives Jethro his books and encourages him to keep studying.
By March 1862, with his older brothers gone, Jethro, now a young boy, must drive the wagon to Newton for supplies. He is scared because he has to pass the Burdow family's house. The Burdows have a bad reputation in the community.
In town, a man named Guy Wortman confronts Jethro. He asks if Jethro's father hates Bill for joining the South. Jethro defends his brother, which makes Wortman angry. Ross Milton, a newspaper editor, steps in to help Jethro. He gives Jethro a book and tells him to go home quickly.
On his way home, Dave Burdow is waiting for Jethro. He asks for a ride and warns Jethro of danger. Burdow takes the reins and helps control the horses when someone tries to scare them.
When Jethro gets home and tells his family about the attack, his father, Matt Creighton, prepares to go to town. Ellen encourages him to also speak with Burdow, recognizing Burdow's help. Soon after, Matt Creighton suffers a serious illness that weakens him.
Suddenly, Jethro has to take on many responsibilities. He must manage not only his family's farm but also his brother John's. He has to do work that six men did the year before, with only his sister Jenny and occasional help from neighbors. Jethro and Jenny work hard but also continue their studies, as Shadrach asked.
Weeks later, Jethro wakes up to the smell of smoke. People angry about Bill's choice have set the barn on fire and poisoned the well. However, the Creightons receive support from many people in the county, including Dave Burdow.
News from the War
Summer brings news of a battle at Shiloh. Many wounded soldiers return home. One soldier reports that Tom Creighton has died in battle. Ross Milton writes a letter in the newspaper, criticizing those who attacked the Creightons.
By December 1862, soldiers leaving the army without permission, called "deserters," become a problem. In February, three army officials visit the Creighton farm, looking for Eb. He has deserted the army.
In early March, Jethro finds Eb hiding in the woods. Eb is sick and thin, regretting his decision to desert. Jethro doesn't know what to do. He knows his family could be punished for helping Eb, but he can't let his cousin starve. He decides to write a letter to President Abraham Lincoln, asking for advice.
To Jethro's surprise, he receives a letter from the President himself! Lincoln writes that he has also been thinking about this problem. He has decided to allow any deserter to return to the army by April 1st without punishment.
More Changes and the War's End
In July 1863, a letter arrives from Shadrach Yale's aunt. Shadrach was badly wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg. She asks Jenny to come help care for him. Matt allows Jenny to go. Shadrach gets better under her care, and they get married by his bedside.
In December 1864, Nancy receives a letter from John. He found Bill among prisoners in a camp. They talked like brothers, and Bill asked for news from home. Bill also asked John to tell their mother Ellen that he was not at the battle where Tom died. It was not his bullet that killed Tom.
1865 arrives with the final days of the war. President Lincoln's plan for reuniting the country is not popular with everyone. People in the South think it's too harsh, and people in the North think it's too soft. Jethro is now fourteen and understands the harsh reality of war. He also realizes that peace will be different from what he expected.
The fifth April of the war finally arrives, and the sounds of guns stop. The agreement to end the fighting is signed.
Jethro celebrates with Ross Milton in Newton. He thinks of President Lincoln's tired face and wishes he could shake his hand. After the celebration, Jethro returns to working in the fields and enjoying spring.
Then, one day, Nancy runs toward him in the field. "Jeth," she cries, "it's the President—they've killed the President!"
Jethro mourns the loss of President Lincoln, a man he never met but considered a friend. He grieves for the President who wanted a fair and merciful way to bring the country back together. His sadness is eased by the return of Shadrach and Jenny. When Eb and John also return to the farm, Jethro will go with Shadrach and Jenny back east. He will get the education Ellen wants for him. He plans to return and share that education with future generations of the Creighton family.
Awards and Recognition
Across Five Aprils has received several awards:
- 1964 – the Charles W. Follett Award
- 1965 – Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award (nominated), the Clara Ingram Judson Memorial Award, Newbery Honor Book
- 1966 – Lewis Carroll Shelf Award
- 1997 – Charles W. D. W. Award
Movie Version
The novel was made into a movie in 1990. It was directed by Kevin Meyer and starred Todd Duffey and Miriam Byrd-Nethery.
