The Fighting Ground

Reach for this book when your child starts romanticizing conflict or viewing historical battles through a lens of simple heroism. This gripping survival story follows thirteen year old Jonathan as he runs away to join the Revolutionary War, only to find himself trapped in a twenty four hour nightmare of fear and impossible choices. It moves beyond the dates and names of history books to explore the psychological toll of violence. It is an ideal pick for middle schoolers ready to grapple with the idea that there are rarely clear villains or heroes in the heat of battle. You might choose it to help a young reader develop a more nuanced, empathetic view of history and the heavy responsibility that comes with picking up a weapon.