Across Five Aprils

The questions inside

One per chapter, across all 12 chapters — every question is editable before you print.

1. In Chapter 1, what do you learn about the Creighton family and the arguments about the coming war? How do these details set the mood?
2. In Chapter 2, Bill struggles with what side to support. What does his struggle show about his character?
3. After the young men begin leaving for war in Chapter 3, what do you predict will be hardest for Jethro at home? Use events from the chapter.
4. In Chapter 4, the Creightons face suspicion because of Bill's choice. What does this chapter teach about judging a whole family for one person's actions?
5. In Chapter 5, Jethro travels to Newton and meets both kindness and meanness. How does this trip help him grow up?
6. In Chapter 6, words like courage, disgrace, and loyalty matter to the characters. Choose one of these words and explain what it means in the chapter.
7. In Chapter 7, the news from the war brings grief to the Creightons. How does the family show strength when they are hurting?
8. In Chapter 8, Jenny and Shadrach's story becomes more important. What do their choices show about love and responsibility during war?
9. In Chapter 9, Eb is called a deserter. What does deserter mean, and why is Jethro's decision about Eb so difficult?
10. In Chapter 10, Jethro writes to President Lincoln and receives an answer. How does this event change Jethro's view of justice or leadership?
11. In Chapter 11, people argue about how the war should end and how enemies should be treated. What opinion does Jethro seem to form, and do you agree with him?
12. In Chapter 12, the war ends but the characters still face loss and change. What message do you think the ending gives about growing up?

Example answers

Printed at the front of the booklet, so your reader can see what a strong answer looks like.

In Chapter 5, Jethro travels to Newton and meets both kindness and meanness. How does this trip help him grow up?

I think the trip helps Jethro grow up because he has to handle problems without his family right beside him. Some people are cruel to him, but others, like Ross Milton, show him kindness and respect. Jethro learns that the world is not simple, and he has to be brave even when he feels scared.

In Chapter 9, Eb is called a deserter. What does deserter mean, and why is Jethro's decision about Eb so difficult?

A deserter is a soldier who leaves the army without permission. Jethro's decision is difficult because Eb is in trouble, but he is also family and needs help. I think Jethro feels torn between obeying the law and doing what feels merciful. This shows that war can make right and wrong hard to understand.

In Chapter 12, the war ends but the characters still face loss and change. What message do you think the ending gives about growing up?

I think the ending shows that growing up means learning that happy and sad things can happen at the same time. The war is over, which should feel joyful, but the characters still carry grief. Jethro has changed because he has seen unfairness, death, and courage. To me, the book says growing up means becoming wiser and more caring.