The Fighting Ground by Avi (1987, Paperback, Reprint)

All that thirteen year old Jonathan thinks of is fighting for his country in the Revolutionary War. After hearing his father and and his father's friends talk about the war, Jonathan makes up his mind to join the in fighting the British. Despite his father's wishes, Jonathan joins the local militia to stop advancing soldiers.

When they reach the road that the enemy is marching on, Jonathan realizes the danger he's in. He and his friends are outnumbered and up against the dreaded Hessians. When the Hessians open fire, one of Jonathan's friends is killed, and Jonathan and the rest of the militia runs as fast as they can away from the charging enemy. Despite his best efforts to hide, Jonathan is captured later by three Hessians.

After hearing about the Hessians' cruelty to prisoners, Jonathan is expecting to be hurt or killed outright by the soldiers, but they merely tie him and take him prisoner. The Hessians try to return to their company, but a storm and fog disorient them, and they are forced into a tiny house to spend the night. While there, Jonathan slowly begins to not to fear and even somewhat like his captors. The youngest soldier is friendly enough to him, and Jonathan is even showed a measure of trust when he is allowed to milk the nearby cow unwatched.

Later that night, Jonathan make two discoveries -- one of a small boy hiding in the barn and a gruesome find of the bodies of a man and woman who had been executed -- probably the boy's parents. Naturally, Jonathan assumes that the Hessians are responsible for the act especially since they seem embarrassed. After Jonathan and the youngest soldier bury the people, they go back to the cabin and go to sleep. Even though Jonathan is tied up, he manages to escape and take the boy with him to safety.

Once far away from the house, Jonathan discovers his friends and the corporal that led them. When the corporal questions him, he finds out about the Hessians and forces Jonathan to lead the militia to the house. Along the way, Jonathan also finds out that the corporal was the one who murdered the man and woman since they were supposedly Torries, French, and "Papists." Then Jonathan realizes that the Americans only want to kill the Hessians and don't want to take prisoners. Even though they were his enemy only a short time before, Jonathan bravely tries to warn the Hessians, but it is unsuccessful, and they are killed by the Americans. After that, Jonathan goes home and there realizes that during war enemies and friends can be hard to tell apart.

I really enjoyed this book! It presents an unique view of the Revolution. Without taking the side of the British and Hessians, this book tries to explain that there were wrongs committed by both sides during war and cruelty was not limited to one side. Like other Avi books, it's very well written, fascinating, and enjoyable! It's well worth the read, and I recommend it!