Across Five Aprils

Jethro Creighton is 9 years-old when many male friends and relatives go off to fight for the North and the South. After his father falls ill, young Jethro takes over running the family farm. With help from an older sister and neighboring farmers, he copes with attacks from local vigilantes, and he makes mature choices about a cousin who has deserted the army. As friends, family members, and his teacher take sides in the war, go in separate directions, and, for some, die, Jethro has to try to figure out where he stands on the issues, and where his loyalties lie.