ACROSS FIVE APRILS

In this 1964 Newbery Medal Honor Book, Jethro is a young farm boy in Illinois when the Civil War erupts. As he and his family confront the terror of war, he takes on huge responsibilities and becomes a wise and compassionate young man. Through conversations, newspaper articles and letters, narrator Brégy portrays the distinctive voices and phraseology of an earlier era, along with gentle humor and the reality of war. Brégy also projects a sense of wonder as he narrates the splendid text. The final bittersweet vignettes include a letter from Lincoln to Jethro and the story of Lincoln's shocking assassination. Hunt and Brégy add an outstanding audio volume to American historical fiction for young people. S.G.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 02]