Across Five Aprils Comprehension Questions & Reading Journal
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Across Five Aprils has 12 chapters · 212 pages
The Newbery Award winning author of Up a Road Slowly presents the unforgettable story of Jethro Creighton—a brave boy who comes of age during the turbulent years of the Civil War.
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Inside the journal: 12 chapter pages, one question each · 3 example answers · a cover for your reader’s name
Chapter by chapter Each question is about its own chapter.
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?See all 12 questions ↓
About the book
The Newbery Award winning author of Up a Road Slowly presents the unforgettable story of Jethro Creighton—a brave boy who comes of age during the turbulent years of the Civil War.
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Across Five Aprils questions by chapter
We know this book well. Every question asks about something that happens in its chapter, a moment, a choice or a character, without giving away what comes next. One question per chapter, across all 12 chapters, and every one is editable before you print. The example answers under 3 of the chapters are the ones printed at the front of the booklet.
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Chapter 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?
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Chapter 2
In Chapter 2, Bill struggles with what side to support. What does his struggle show about his character?
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Chapter 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.
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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?
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Chapter 5
In Chapter 5, Jethro travels to Newton and meets both kindness and meanness. How does this trip help him grow up?
Example answer: 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.
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Chapter 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.
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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?
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Chapter 8
In Chapter 8, Jenny and Shadrach's story becomes more important. What do their choices show about love and responsibility during war?
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Chapter 9
In Chapter 9, Eb is called a deserter. What does deserter mean, and why is Jethro's decision about Eb so difficult?
Example answer: 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.
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Chapter 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?
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Chapter 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?
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Chapter 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 answer: 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.
More ready-made journals
How to use this Across Five Aprils reading journal
At home, as a discussion guide
After each chapter your reader writes a few lines on that chapter’s question. Read the answer together at bedtime: it shows what they understood and gives you something real to talk about, without a quiz.
In class, as a novel study
Print a class set (booklets fold from plain letter paper) and use one question per chapter as the reading-response or literature-circle prompt. The example answers at the front show what a full answer looks like.
Homeschool
One booklet covers the whole book, 12 chapters, so it doubles as the reading log for Across Five Aprils. Reword any question before printing to match your reader.
Printing
The booklet PDF prints on ordinary 8.5 × 11 paper: print double-sided (flip on the short edge) at 100%, fold the stack in half and staple on the fold. There is also a one-page-per-sheet PDF and A5 binder pages.
Where the questions come from
Each question is about its own chapter. We know this book well. Every question asks about something that happens in its chapter, a moment, a choice or a character, without giving away what comes next. The questions were drafted with AI from what is known about the book and checked before publishing; every one is editable before you print.