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ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSJonathan is a thirteen-year-old boy living in New Jersey in April 1778, dreaming of glory on the battlefield while his father, a wounded veteran, keeps him home. When the alarm bell rings at the local tavern, Jonathan sneaks off to join a small group of militiamen led by a rough, forceful stranger called the Corporal. The group marches south to stop a unit of Hessian soldiers advancing up the Pennington Road, and what Jonathan imagined would be a triumphant adventure turns into something far more dangerous and confusing than anything he expected.
Free Battle of the Books questions for The Fighting Ground
SPOILERSEvery one of these has the same answer, and that is the point. In a real battle the question is read aloud with a dozen other books in play, and students have a few seconds to place it. Here is what a battle might ask about The Fighting Ground. Use them as a quiz, a trivia round, or BOTB practice.
Where in the book they come from
- Early in the book
In what book does an inexperienced boy march to war with a borrowed musket that towers above his head?
✓ Answer
The Fighting Ground by Avi
The tavern keeper's gun is almost six feet long, which is taller than Jonathan. Its twelve pounds cut into his neck when he tries to shoulder it, so he has to carry it across his chest with both hands.
- First half
In what book do enemy soldiers snap bayonets onto their guns and present the glistening blades at American farmers?
✓ Answer
The Fighting Ground by Avi
On command from their officer, the Hessians lower their guns and fix bayonets without missing a step. The wall of blades is the moment that sends the militia line falling apart in panic.
- First half
In what book does a captured boy cry, "Don't shoot!" as he jumps up with his hands above his head?
✓ Answer
The Fighting Ground by Avi
Convinced the three soldiers are about to kill him, Jonathan springs to his feet and begs them not to fire. The astonished Hessians level their guns and one of them says in German that he is only a boy.
- Second half
In what book does a boy press a hand over a child's mouth and whisper "Don't talk"?
✓ Answer
The Fighting Ground by Avi
When Jonathan first finds the child sitting in the shed, he is afraid a soldier on the porch will hear. He whispers "Don't talk!" and puts a hand to the boy's mouth as he tries to figure out what to do.
- Second half
In what book does a captive boy realize he could untie himself and escape from a sleeping soldier?
✓ Answer
The Fighting Ground by Avi
The old soldier ties the rope to Jonathan's ankle and to his own, but Jonathan sees at a glance that it is a knot he can undo. Once the man is asleep he plucks at it and the knot falls open, leaving him free to choose what to do next.
- Near the end
In what book is a boy forced to walk to a house at dawn to peek inside at sleeping enemies?
✓ Answer
The Fighting Ground by Avi
The Corporal orders Jonathan to cross the field, open the door, and check whether the three Hessians are still asleep. He carries no gun, only the role of bait, while the Americans wait at the fence with muskets raised.
