Questions from Across Five Aprils

							                       Questions from Across Five Aprils

                                       Chapter 1

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

                                       Chapter 2

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

                                       Chapter 3

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

                                       Chapter 4

1. What news came from Tom?
2. What was customary for teachers to do in those days that we do not do today?
3. What happened at Fort Henry?
4. Why wouldn’t Pa let Jenny marry Shad?
5. What did Jethro and Shad talk about when Jethro spent the evening at Shad’s
home?
6. Why did so many people dislike Mr. Lincoln according to Shad?
7. What is an abolitionist?
8. 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

1.   Why was Mother so sick?
2.   What errand was Jethro sent on?
3.   What happened at the general store?
4.   What "fine treat" did Jethro experience?
5.   Describe what happened to Jethro when he got to the Burdow’s place?
6.   Why did Dave protect Jethro?

                                       Chapter 6

1. What happened to Matt Creighton the next day after Jethro told him about Wortman?
2. How had life changed for Jethro?
3. What did Ellen mean when she said: "You’re not to fret, Matt; we mustn’t give
trouble shape before it throws its shadder."
4. What advise did Nancy give Jethro?
5. Why did the neighbors each take turns watching Matt Creighton’s home?
6. What happened to Shep and why?
7. What happened to the barn and the well?

                                       Chapter 7

1.   Why did men from all over the county come help Matt that spring?
2.   What news did Dan Lawrence bring?
3.   Describe the incident of Sam Gardiner, the owner of the general store.
4.   What happened to Guy’s reputation after the incident?
5.   What was the problem with the generals?

                                       Chapter 8

1.   What latest triumph for the Confederates occurred?
2.   How did Dave Burdow help Jethro’s family again?
3.   What did Shad say Gen. McClellan lacked as a leader?
4.   Why were the soldiers losing faith in their leaders?

                                       Chapter 9

1. Describe what deserters did to survive.
2. Describe Hig Phillips and why was he disliked?
3. How did the murder of Hig Phillips affect the Creightons?
4. What was the purpose of the Union soldiers visit at the Creightons’ home?
5. Describe the man that was hiding in the bushes one day while Jethro was plowing
the fields.
6. Why did the visitor come?
7. What did the visitor want to do?
8. What thoughts went through Jethro’s mind in deciding if he should help or not?
9. What plan did Jethro come up with to help this visitor?
10. What decree did Mr. Lincoln declare for April 1?

                                      Chapter 10

1.   In reading Shadrach’s letter, how do you think he felt would happen in the future?
2.   Why didn’t President Lincoln remove General Grant?
3.   Which battle seemed to be the turning point in the war and why?
4.   What happened to Shad at Gettysburg?
5.   Why did Jethro refuse to go to school?
6.   What did Ross Milton do to help Jenny and Shad?
7.   What did Matt Creighton finally agree to do?
8.   Why do you think Jenny kept Jethro’s letter all the years of her life?

                                      Chapter 11

1.   What information about the war did John reveal in his letter?
2.   Explain the criticism of President Lincoln and how did Jethro feel about it?
3.   When and where did Grant and Lee finally do battle?
4.   How did Shadrach feel about General McClellan’s nomination for President?
5.   What news did Sherman telegraph the President?
6.   What did John say about the battle between Hood and Thomas?

                                      Chapter 12

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