Author

Irene Hunt

1907-2001 · American teacher and author of novels for young readers

About Irene Hunt

Irene Hunt (1907-2001) was born in Pontiac, Illinois, and spent much of her childhood on her grandparents' farm in southern Illinois, where her grandfather told her stories of his boyhood during the Civil War. She taught English and French in Illinois public schools for many years and later taught psychology at the University of South Dakota before returning to schools as a teacher and consultant. Across Five Aprils, published when she was in her late fifties, was her first novel; her second, Up a Road Slowly, won the 1967 Newbery Medal.

Notable works

On this site

Across Five Aprils

Irene Hunt

1964 · Postwar Contemporary · Novel

Across Five Aprils follows the Creighton family of Jasper County in southern Illinois through the Civil War, from April 1861 to April 1865, as seen by the youngest son, Jethro, who is nine when the story opens. The family farm is worked by Matt and Ellen Creighton and their grown and growing children: John, a married son with a family of his own nearby; Bill, thoughtful and gentle, the brother Jethro loves best; Tom, eager for adventure; Jenny, close to Jethro in spirit; and their cousin Eb Carron, raised in the household.

low medical relevanceFamilyWar ViolenceComing of Age