Hunt, Irene. (2002).  Across Five Aprils. East Rutherford, NJ: Berkley Publishing Group. 224 pp.

Grade Range: 6-9

Genre: historical fiction

Summary and Critique

Across Five Aprils is a historical novel about a boy, Jethro, who grows up during the Civil War. His family is divided when his brothers leave the family farm in Illinois to go fight, two for the North and one for the South. Life becomes almost unbearable when his father suffers a heart attack and Jethro is left with the responsibility of running the farm. His life is complicated by attacks from members of the community who blame his family for having a Southern sympathizer. He also wrestles with his decision to help a cousin who is a deserter knowing that his actions are against the law. Desperate, he writes a letter to President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln's response not only helps his cousin but also enlightens Jethro about the complexities and horrors of war and the decisions that must be made. As the war comes to a close, Jethro finds himself dealing with new family dynamics and the opportunity to further his education.

This book has a simple story but a powerful message. Following the lives of the characters in the book, one comes to understand not only the complex issues of the war but also how people viewed the issues differently.

Awards

Newbery Honor Book, 1965

Charles W. Follett Award, 1964

Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, 1966

Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award

Clara Ingram Judson Memorial Award, 1965

Themes/Topics

Families

Friends and Enemies

Generations

Challenges and Triumphs

War and Peace

The Individual vs. Society

Author Information

Irene Hunt grew up on an Illinois farm during the first quarter of the 20^th century. In addition to writing novels, she has also taught English, French, and psychology.

For more information on Irene Hunt:

http://www.edupaperback.org/showauth.cfm?authid=82 A biographical sketch on Hunt.

Media Connections

Movies

The Red Badge of Courage (1951) An adaptation of Stephen Crane's novel. A new soldier fighting for the Union Army rapidly matures as the result of the horrors of war.

Gettysburg (1993) A film depicting the infamous Civil War battle.

The Civil War (1990) Documentary about the Civil War using a plethora of primary sources.

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. (1974) Explores the life of an African-American woman born into slavery and survives 110 years to witness the Civil Rights Movement.

Dances with Wolves (1990) A Civil War lieutenant rejects his society and embraces the Sioux culture.

Little Women (1994) The trials and tribulations of four sisters living in New England during the Civil War.

Glory (1989) Depicts the struggles of the first African American company of soldiers in the Civil War.

Music

Civil War Classics. Performed by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason. 1994. Music representative of America during the Civil War.

Online Resources

http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/litlibrary/acrossfive.html Study guide for Across Five Aprils.

http://www.civilwar.com/ Extensive information about the Civil War.

http://www.civil-war.net/ Extensive Civil War information, including maps.

http://www.afroamcivilwar.org/ African American Civil War Memorial site, honoring African American troops.

http://americancivilwar.com/women/women.html A site dedicated to the women who participated in the Civil War.

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mexicans-civil-war.htm Examines the role of Hispanics during the Civil War.

http://www.webenglishteacher.com/hunt.html Lesson plans, vocabulary, quizzes, and activities for Across Five Aprils.

Related Texts

Shura, Mary Francis. (1991). Gentle Annie: the True Story of a Civil War Nurse. New York: Scholastic. 184pp. Explores the life of Anna Blair Etheridge, a nurse during the Civil.

Fleischman, Paul. (1993). Bull Run. New York: HarperCollins. 104pp. This book is ideal for Reader's Theater. Sixteen different people head for the Battle of Bull Run and relate their purpose for being there.  

Winter, Jeanette. (1988). The Drinking Gourd. New York: Harper and Row. 62pp. A story about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad.

O'Flaherty, Liam. (1937)."The Sniper." The Short Stories of Liam O'Flaherty. London: Johnathan Cape. 436pp. A short story that asks the question,"Who is the enemy in a civil war?"

Murphy, Jim. (1990). The Boys'War: Confederate and Union Soldiers Talk About the Civil War. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. Using primary sources, Murphy examines the lives of the boys who assisted the North and the South during the Civil War.

Teaching Ideas

(1) "Vegetable Garden" Jethro and his family live off the land. Students can gain an appreciation of what it was like working the farm almost single handedly by planting and growing a small vegetable garden. To begin, locate a small area of land at the school or use large pots or window boxes with good drainage. Next, students research gardening techniques and determine which vegetables will grow best in the area. Make a

schedule of responsibilities for each student. Plant and care for the garden. Culminating Activity: Enjoy the fruits of your labor at a class party!

[Summarized/adapted from Across Five Aprils literature unit by Teacher Created Materials.]

(2) "Spicing Up the Biography" Students select a biography. They then assume the role as chairperson for an assembly at which the subject of their biography will be the guest speaker. Students design a poster advertising their subject. The poster must include appropriate artwork, topic of the speech, and time and date of appearance. Finally, students prepare a one-minute speech introducing their subject.

[Summarized/adapted from "Photographs and Memories" by Maureen Neal in Notes Plus. Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English. November 1985, pp. 1-2.]

    

(3) "Event Dioramas" Three important events occur during the Civil War era, President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address at Gettysburg, Robert E Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House, and Lincoln's assassination at Ford's Theater. Students choose one event and research to find details about the event. Then they create a diorama depicting the scene.

[Summarized/adapted from Across Five Aprils literature unit by Teacher Created Materials.]

(Review written by Carol Bedard and edited by Jennifer E. Moore)