There are arguably many turning points in Avi's young adult novel The Fighting Ground, which follows twenty-four hours in the life of thirteen-year-old Jonathan, a boy who joins the military forces in the fight for American Independence from the British.
The first turning point happens when Jonathan--who was previously very eager to fight in the war--sees horrific carnage and the death of a family friend during battle, causing him to flee to the woods in fright. It is at this time that another turning point occurs: Jonathan is captured by three Hessian soldiers, who take him to a cabin in the woods. Jonathan doesn't exactly like these men, but he learns to tolerate them.
Later on, Jonathan manages to escape and returns to the American side of the battle, where he is asked by the Corporal to reveal information about the enemy's location. In the third turning point, Jonathan sneaks to the cabin where the Hessians are resting, wakes them, and encourages them to escape before the Americans reach them. Unfortunately, one of the soldiers tries to use him as a human shield, and the Hessians are killed by the American minutemen.
The result of all these turning points is a huge change of heart for young Jonathan; he realizes that the violence of war is senseless and destroys the gun that he has borrowed for battle.
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