Product Description

April 3, 1778

He may be just thirteen, but Jonathan knows he's ready to go to the war against the British. He can handle a gun. He yearns to battle for glory, just like his brother and cousin.

So when Jonathan hears the tavern bell toll, calling men to fight, he runs to join them. He doesn't realize that in just twenty-four hours, his life will be forever altered -- by the war, by his fellow soldiers, and by the terrible choices he must make.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23490 in Books
• Published on: 1987-05-15
• Released on: 1994-12-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780064401852
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
The compelling story of a young boy's first encounter with war and how it changes him. Ages 9-up.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"Convincingly portrays Jonathan's passage from naive boy to young man." -- -- H.

About the Author
Ask Avi how you know when you're a real writer and his answer is simple: "I think you become a writer when you stop writing for yourself or your teachers and start thinking about readers." Avi made up his mind to do that when he was just a senior in high school.

Avi was born in 1937 in New York City and was raised in Brooklyn. Kids often ask him about his name. "My twin sister gave it to me when we were both about a year old. And it stuck." To this day, Avi is the only name the author uses.

As a kid, Avi says, he was "shy, not into sports, but someone who loved to read and play games of imagination." He did not consider himself a good student, though. "In elementary school I did well in science, but I was a poor writer. When I got to high school I failed all my courses. Then my folks put me in a small school that emphasized reading and writing." What made him want to become a writer? "Since writing was important to my family, friends and school, it was important to me. I wanted to prove that I could write. But it took years before I had a book published."

Avi didn't start off as an author of children's books but as a playwright. It was only when he had children of his own that he started to write for young people.

When asked if writing is hard for him, Avi gives an unequivocal YES. "But," he goes on, "it's hard for everyone to write well. I have to rewrite over and over again, so on average it takes me a year to write a book." Where does he get his ideas? "Everybody has ideas. The vital question is: What do you do with them? My wife, a college teacher, uses her ideas to understand literature. My rock musician sons shape their ideas in to music. I take my ideas and turn them into stories."

Avi's advice for people who want to write: "I believe reading is the key to writing. the more you read, the better your writing can be." He adds, "Listen, and watch the world around you. Don't be satisfied with answers others give you. Don't assume that because everyone believes a thing, that it is right or wrong. Reason things out for yourself. Work to get answers on your own. Understand why you believe things. Finally, write what you honestly feel, then learn from the criticism that will always come your way."

Avi's many award-winning books for young readers include the Newbery Honor Books Nothing But the Truth and The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, as well as more Tales from Dimwood Forest, including Poppy, winner of the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award, Poppy and Rye, and Ragweed. His many other books include tales of mystery, fantasy, and historical fiction for young readers of all ages.

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Customer Reviews

A great book for children!!!
I have read this book for three years now with my fifth grade students. Every student has loved this book, many said it was the best book they ever read. The book makes war more real to my students by telling the story through the eyes of a child their own age. I feel the book is masterfully written, and contains a strong main character. There is an abundance of profanity used throughout this book.

The Fighting Ground
The Fighting Ground is a great book about a 15 years old boy named Jonathan who lived in Trenton, New Jersey. This book is set during the American Revolutionary war. America was fighting for its independence from England.
Jonathan is the only boy in his family who had not gone to war so he was waiting for his turn to go to war. Then one day, the bell rang at the Tavern and Jonathan went to go see what was happening. A Corporal was at the Tavern recruiting men to fight the Hessians (German Mercenaries serving for the British in the Revolution). The men of the town thought Jonathan was too young, but the Corporal took him any way. So Jonathan was on his way to war, the one thing he was dreaming of doing for almost half of his life.
This was a really good book with a sad middle and an exiting climax. If I could read this book a million and one more times I would. The detail in the book was exciting and I encourage every one to read The Fighting Ground.

READ the book its relly good
It's a really good book! The author is a great writer. The bookwas about a 13 year old boy and who wanted to go to war. So one day hedid! He went without permission! His dad was so worried. The 13 year old boy didn't like it but he knew that it was to late to go back. He didn't know what any of the people and he didn't know what they siad. and the war began. He was so terrified. If I like the fighting ground then you will too. So if you want to read the book the author is Avi Avi.