Across Five Aprils

Jethro Creighton is the protagonist in this coming of age story, which is set during the Civil War. Jethro faces many obstacles along the way, including the death of a family member, and the ever fated loss of innocence at the end of his coming of age. He is the youngest of the Creighton's children, and he is nine years old when the story begins. Over the course of the novel, Jethro becomes the man of the house, taking care of his family's farm when his brothers join the war.