The historical novel, Across five Aprils, set at the time of the Civil War, chronicles the war as well as the story of a young boy's growing up. A sourcebook of activities and related readings accompanies this coming-of-age novel. Young Jethro Creighton grows from a boy to a man when he is left to take care of the family farm in Illinois during the difficult years of the Civil War.

Across five Aprils by Irene Hunt, copyright 1964.

Across five Aprils /Irene Hunt -- from The boys' war / Jim Murphy -- Mysterious Mr. Lincoln / Russell Freedman -- Gettysburg address / Abraham Lincoln -- Drummer boy of Shiloh / Ray Bradbury -- Around the campfire / -- Andrew Hudgins -- Huts at Esquimaux / Norman Duble -- Sniper / Liam O'Flaherty -- from Voices from the battlefield / Milton Meltzer.