The Fighting Ground 

• Genre: Fiction; historical fiction; young adult 
• Originally Published: 1984 
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 580L; grades 4-7 
• Structure/Length: Approximately 160 pages; approximately 3 hours and 6 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: When 13-year-old Jonathan becomes a soldier for a day during the Revolutionary War, he eagerly joins the fight against the Hessians—but soon faces the grim realities of war. The central conflict revolves around Jonathan’s initial excitement for battle, which is quickly replaced by fear and moral questioning as he confronts the consequences of violence and the meaning of courage. 
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Depictions of wartime violence; themes of fear, morality, and the loss of innocence; the harsh realities of historical conflict

Avi, Author 

• Bio: Edward Irving Wortis, pen name Avi; born in 1937; an American author of young adult and children’s literature; written over eighty books; known for his diverse works spanning various genres—including historical fiction, fantasy, and mystery—as well as his engaging narratives and complex characters 
• Other Works: Nothing But the Truth (1991); Poppy (1995); Crispin: The Cross of Lead (2002)
• Awards: Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction (1984); Newbery Medal (2003)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Glory Versus Tragedy in War
• Adapting to a Crisis
• Kindness or Brutality in a Crisis

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will: