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ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSNine-year-old Jethro Creighton lives on a small farm in southern Illinois with his parents and older siblings when the Civil War breaks out in the spring of 1861. As one by one his brothers leave to fight on opposite sides of the conflict, Jethro is left to manage the farm almost entirely on his own, navigating the harsh realities of farm labor, community hostility toward his family, and the relentless worry that comes with each new battle report. The war that once seemed like a distant adventure becomes the defining fact of his life, and he must grow up far faster than any boy should have to.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Across Five Aprils
SPOILERSEvery one of these has the same answer, and that is the point. In a real battle the question is read aloud with a dozen other books in play, and students have a few seconds to place it. Here is what a battle might ask about Across Five Aprils. Use them as a quiz, a trivia round, or BOTB practice.
Where in the book they come from
- Early in the book
In what book does a Kentucky cousin drive up unexpectedly and stir a fierce supper-table argument over slavery?
✓ Answer
Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
Cousin Wilse Graham, Ellen's nephew from Kentucky, stops by on his travels. The family supper turns into a heated debate about slavery, tariffs, and whether war is coming, with Wilse defending the southern position.
- First half
In what book does a boy borrow coffee at dusk from a sister-in-law whose lonely children watch from a window?
✓ Answer
Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
Jethro is sent to Nancy's cabin in the foggy March dusk to borrow coffee for his suffering mother. Nancy's two small boys watch from the darkened window, and Nancy speaks longingly of the days when her husband was still home.
- First half
In what book does a red-haired editor on crutches defend a boy from a drunk in a country store?
✓ Answer
Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
In Sam Gardiner's general store, Guy Wortman taunts Jethro about his brother having gone south to fight for the Rebels. The crippled editor Ross Milton confronts Wortman and ends up taking Jethro to dinner at the local restaurant.
- Second half
In what book does a wounded soldier come to a farmhouse with news of a son killed at Pittsburg Landing?
✓ Answer
Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
Dan Lawrence, still weak from his own wounds at Shiloh, comes with his father to tell the Creightons that Tom died beside him in the battle. Dan describes how Tom waved his cap at Buell's reinforcements crossing the river just before he was killed.
- Second half
In what book does a farm boy write a daring letter to the President by candlelight, alone in his room?
✓ Answer
Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
Lying awake worrying about his deserter cousin, Jethro slips out of bed, lights a candle, opens Ross Milton's grammar book, and carefully writes to Mr. Lincoln. He uses his brother Bill's old pen and rough lined paper, terrified of being too forward but determined to seek guidance from the highest in the land.
- Near the end
In what book does a young bride cook kettles of soup in her aunt's kitchen for wounded soldiers?
✓ Answer
Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
Living with Aunt Victoria in Washington while her husband recovers, Jenny writes home about cooking soup on the real stove for the wounded men. She also bakes fresh bread spread with butter, and the soldiers near her husband clap their hands when she comes in with it.
