Who wrote Across Five Aprils

Hunt’s childhood was lonely, but she shared a special relationship with her grandfather who told her stories about his childhood during the Civil War. The stories she heard from her grandfather became the basis of the story of Jethro in Across Five Aprils. … After she retired in 1969, Hunt devoted her time to writing.

Why did Irene Hunt Write Across Five Aprils?

Hunt’s childhood was lonely, but she shared a special relationship with her grandfather who told her stories about his childhood during the Civil War. The stories she heard from her grandfather became the basis of the story of Jethro in Across Five Aprils. … After she retired in 1969, Hunt devoted her time to writing.

Is there an Across Five Aprils movie?

“A personal quest turns a young boy into a man.” Jethro Creighton (Todd Duffey) is a young man of nine years from Southern Illinois who is growing up during the outbreak of the American Civil War.

Is Jethro Creighton a real person?

Children of Matthew and Ellen Creighton The real Jethro Creighton who this character was based upon died on November 3, 1929, at 3:35 pm, aged 77.

What point of view is across five Aprils?

Point of View Based on family stories of her grandfather, who was a boy during the Civil War, Irene Hunt writes Across Five Aprils as told in third person. It is from the point of view of nine-year old Jethro Creighton.

What happened when Irene Hunt was 7 years old?

After her father died when she was seven, Hunt lived with her grandparents for five years. Her grandfather told many stories which later influenced her writing.

Who is eb in Across Five Aprils?

Eb Carron: Like Tom, Eb who is Matt’s nephew is also eighteen years old. He has been a member of the Creighton family since he was orphaned as a child. Eb later returns home after deserting from the army, but is eventually allowed to go back.

How many brothers does Jethro have in Across Five Aprils?

Jethro grows up on a farm, the youngest of four children with three older brothers and one older sister. Two of his brothers join the Union forces, while one of his brothers joins the Confederate forces in the fight against the ‘industrial north’. As a young boy, Jethro is very confused about the war.

What kind of boy is Jethro in Across Five Aprils?

Jethro is hurled from boyhood into manhood, as he assumes responsibilities left after his father has a heart attack. He is the only boy in the family not fighting in the war, and thus he is somewhat of an outsider.

Why did Ellen think Jethro was a special child?

Ellen considers Jethro her special child since he survived the devastating epidemic that killed three of his older brothers the year he was born (1.9). … But once all the older boys head off to war, Jethro and Jenny are the only children left at home.

Article first time published on

What is the plot of Across Five Aprils?

In 1861, 9-year-old Jethro Creighton lives with his family on a southern Illinois farm. The Civil War is beginning, stirring heated discussions within homes across the nation. Two of Jethro’s older brothers, John and Tom, are anxious to fight for the Union army. Cousin Eb plans to join them.

What is the theme of Across Five Aprils?

In this book, forgiveness is crucial in cases where people are motivated by good. The ability to redeem and forgive, especially during a time when everyone must exist among hatred and anger, helps the Creightons manage through the five years of the war.

What is the falling action of Across Five Aprils?

Falling Action Tom wrote a letter to his family from the war. Jenny and Shad want to get married but Matt won’t let them. Bill is fighting for the South. Shad is going to war.

Who was wilse Graham?

Wilse Graham is Ellen Creighton’s sister’s son. Ellen and the family are glad to see him, and to hear what has been going on with the family back home.

Who was Shadrach Yale?

Shadrach Yale Shadrach is Jethro’s teacher and friend. He helps Jethro learn to read and speak and encourages the furthering of his education. Shadrach goes to fight in the war, leaving both Jethro and Jenny missing him intensely. Shadrach is wounded and nearly dies.

How did EB feel about deserting?

Eb is embarrassed that he has deserted the war, but he said that after losing battle after battle and burying man after man, he had to leave. Eb says he cannot go to the house because he does not want Ellen and Matt to know or to get into trouble.

How old was Irene Hunt when she published her first book?

Hunt was 61 when her debut novel Across Five Aprils was published in 1964, and it received much acclaim. Chosen a Newbery Honor Book, the novel was also Hunt’s personal favorite among the ones she wrote.

What academic degree did Irene Hunt have?

Hunt was born on May 18, 1907, in Pontiac, Illinois. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois in 1939 and a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota in 1946.

Who is Ross Milton?

For the past four years, Ross Milton has been an assistant professor of economics at Kansas State University. He holds a PhD and MA in economics from Cornell University and a BA in Economics and Political Science from Macalester College. …

How old is Shadrach Yale?

Shadrach Yale Shadrach is twenty years old and is treated like family by the Creightons. He loves Jethro and is in love with Jenny, but leaves them both as he goes off to war.

What is the relationship between Jenny and Shadrach Yale?

What is the relationship between Jenny and Shadrach Yale? Shadrach Yale is Jenny’s schoolmaster. He and Jenny are attracted to each other. How does Cousin Wilse Graham attempt to justify the fact that he keeps slaves?

Where do Shadrach and Jenny get married?

The two are married in the hospital with Shadrach still too ill to leave his bed. Wounded soldiers are in attendance together with Ross Milton to witness the event. Jenny is delighted and writes to Jethro as ‘Mrs. Shadrach Yale’, asking him to record the date of her marriage in the family bible.

Who was Mary Creighton and what happened to her five Aprils?

Thinking of war prompts Jethro to think about his sister Mary’s death. A group of hoodlums broke up a dance she was attending and chased Mary and her date. One of the hoodlums, Travis Burdow, fired a pistol that frightened the horses, causing the wagon to overturn and kill Mary.

Why does Bill leave home in Chapter 3?

The reason for the abrupt departure is that Bill plans on fighting for the South while his father and John support the North. Naturally this causes some tension, hence the fight.

What did the troublemakers do to hurt the creightons?

What did the troublemakers do to hurt the Creightons? She records the date of her brother Tom’s death. What does Jenny write in the Bible in Chapter 7? … Why do three Federal Registrars come to the Creighton home in Chapter 9?

Where did Benjamin Hardin Creighton go?

The oldest brother Benjamin left for California and his twin sisters, Lucinda and Lydia, married and moved to Ohio long ago.

Who burned down the barn in Across Five Aprils?

But one does not simply ride into Newton, and Jethro has the pleasure of meeting super jerk, Guy Wortman, who runs his mouth over Bill fighting for the Rebels. Oh, and he tries to jump Jethro on his ride home. Two months later, a midnight caper burns down the Creighton barn.

What happened in March of 1862 in Across Five Aprils?

March 1862 – The Battle of Pea Ridge is fought. Jethro takes his first solo trip to Newton, and Mr. … April 1862 – The Battle of Shiloh and a letter from Shad arrives. Late Spring 1862 – The Creighton barn is burned because Bill is fighting for the Confederacy.

What did the southerners want in Across Five Aprils?

Angry, he declares that the South simply wants to be left alone. The North should stay out of their affairs and let them keep slaves if they wish. At this, Jethro’s 18-year-old brother Tom becomes visibly angered, but keeps quiet.

Who waits for Jethro on the road?

At the end of the meal, Milton warns Jethro to be careful since the man from the store lives on Jethro’s route home. Jethro leaves, trying to stay awake during the trek. When he passes the Burdow place, he sees Dave Burdow, Travis’s father waiting for him.

What news did wilse bring?

What news did Wilse bring? South had seceded from the Union.

You Might Also Like