Book Club Discussion Questions

Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt

Chapter 1

Why do you think that in the 1800s a woman’s beauty was short-lived?
Describe what Ellen’s life had been like for the past 30 years.
How had Destiny marked Jethro? What made him so special?
What did Irene Hunt mean when she wrote, “Adults were usually troubled?”
Who was Shadrach Yale?
What forms of communication did they have in those days?
What was Jethro and Mother most afraid of?
What does this idiom mean: “…the pot can’t call the kettle black”?
What were the circumstances of Jethro’s sister Mary’s death?
What does Ellen mean when she says this about Pres. Lincoln:

“He’s like a man standin’ where two roads meet…and one road is s dark and fearsome as the other; there ain’t a choice between the two, and yet a choice has to be made.”

Can you think of another decision that someone might have to make that fits this dilemma?
Describe some family rules the Creighton household. Describe any similarities or differences in households today.
What news might Cousin Wilse Graham bring to the Creightons from Kentucky? What kind of background is Wilse from and what might he do for a living?

Chapter 2

What news did Wilse bring?
What position do the Creightons and Wilse take in the North/South struggle? Why?
What did the Southerners want?
What were the Creightons’ feelings about slavery? Cousin Wilse?
What did Bill think the real reason for the current conflict was outside of slavery?
John and Bill were very close brothers but there is a hint of foreshadowing that this relationship could change. What is it?
What news did Shadrach bring back?
After hearing the news, what announcement did Eb Carron make?
How did Wilse Graham describe Abe Lincoln in this war?
What roles did Congress and Lincoln have regarding the war at that time?

Chapter 3

Bill finally revealed how he felt about the war to Jethro. What did he say?
What was upsetting Bill the most?
What caused Bill to leave home and what were his plans?

Chapter 4

What news came from Tom?
What was customary for teachers to do in those days that we do not do today?
What happened at Fort Henry?
Why wouldn’t Pa let Jenny marry Shad?
What did Jethro and Shad talk about when Jethro spent the evening at Shad’s home?
Why did so many people dislike Mr. Lincoln, according to Shad?
What is an abolitionist?
Shad said to Jethro: “…that it took far more courage for Bill to do what he did than it does for John and me to carry out our plans next week.” Why did it take more courage?

Chapter 5

Why was Mother so sick?
What errand was Jethro sent on?
What happened at the general store?
What “fine treat” did Jethro experience?
Describe what happened to Jethro when he got to the Burdow’s place.
Why did Dave protect Jethro?
How do you think Matt Creighton will react to Jethro’s experience with Wortman?

Chapter 6

What happened to Matt Creighton the next day after Jethro told him about Wortman?
How had life changed for Jethro?
What did Ellen mean when she said, “You’re not to fret, Matt; we mustn’t give trouble shape before is throws its shadder.”
What advise did Nancy give Jethro?
Why did the neighbors each take turns watching Matt Creighton’s home?
What happened to Shep and why?
What happened to the barn and the well?
What do you think caused this destruction and why?

Chapter 7

Why did men from all over the county come to help Matt that spring?
What news did Dan Lawrence bring?
Describe the incident of Sam Gardiner, the owner of the general store.
What happened to Guy’s reputation after the incident?
What was the problem with the generals?
What news will be next about John, Eb, or Shad?

Chapter 8

What latest triumph for the Confederates occurred?
How did Dave Burdow help Jethro’s family again?
What did Shad say Gen. McClellan lacked as a leader?
Why were the soldiers losing faith in their leaders?
With conditions like these that soldiers had to endure, what do you suppose would happen?

Chapter 9

Describe what deserters did to survive.
Describe Hig Phillips and why he was disliked.
How did the murder of Hig Phillips affect the Creightons?
What was the purpose of the Union soldiers’ visit at the Creighton’s home?
Describe the man that was hiding in the bushes one day while Jethro was plowing fields.
Why did the visitor come?
What did the visitor want to do?
What thoughts went through Jethro’s mind in deciding if he should help or not?
What plan did Jethro come up with to help this visitor?
What decree did President Lincoln declare for April 1?
Will the visitor return from where he came from? Why/why not?

Chapter 10

In reading Shadrach’s letter, what do you think he felt would happen in the future?
Why didn’t President Lincoln remove General Grant?
Which battle seemed to be the turning point in the war and why?
What happened to Shad at Gettysburg?
Why did Jethro refuse to go to school?
What did Ross Milton do to help Jenny and Shad?
What did Matt Creighton finally agree to do?
Why do you think Jenny kept Jethro’s letter all the years of her life?
What conditions do you think Shad will have when he returns home?

Chapter 11

What information about the war did John reveal in his letter?
Explain the criticism of President Lincoln and how did Jethro feel about it?
How did Shadrach feel about General McClellan’s nomination for President?
What news did Sherman telegraph the President?
What did John say about the battle between Hood and Thomas?
Will Bill make it home, and will his family accept him?

Chapter 12

Describe Bill Sherman’s march.
What warning did Ross Milton give to Jethro when peace came?
What did Milton say President Lincoln must do in his next four years in office?
Why wasn’t Milton excited about the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery?
When and where did the war end?
After the night of celebration, what terrible news did Nancy give Jethro?
While Jethro was grieving, who surprised him and what news did he receive?