104 pages • 3 hours read
Grenade
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Book Brief
288
Novel • Fiction
Okinawa, Japan • 1940s
2018
Middle grade
10-14 years
Super Short Summary
In Alan Gratz’s Grenade, 13-year-old Hideki Kaneshiro, conscripted by the Blood and Iron Student Corps during the 1945 Battle of Okinawa, and young US Marine Ray Majors navigate the brutalities of war, each confronting the complexities of violence and humanity. This novel describes violent conflict and death during wartime, and includes anti-Asian racism and ethnic and racial slurs.
Suspenseful
Emotional
Challenging
Dark
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
12,780 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Grenade by Alan Gratz is lauded for its intense, fast-paced narrative and compelling historical context. Readers appreciate the well-developed characters and the emotional depth of the story. However, some critics find the violence too graphic for younger audiences. Overall, the novel receives praise for its gripping portrayal of World War II.
Who Should Read Grenade?
Fans of tense, historical fiction like The Book Thief by Markus Zusak or Refugee by Alan Gratz will be gripped by Grenade. Ideal for readers aged 9-12 who are interested in World War II stories and themes of survival, courage, and empathy, it offers a poignant, action-packed narrative.
12,780 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Ray/Rei Majors
Ray/Rei Majors
An 18-year-old US Marine from Nebraska who empathizes with the Okinawan people during the Battle of Okinawa. He grapples with the brutal realities of war and experiences a sense of shared humanity with his enemies.
Kimiko Kaneshiro
Kimiko Kaneshiro
Hideki’s assertive older sister marked as a spiritual yuta with a distinctive white hair stripe. She becomes a military nurse and is determined to protect Okinawan children from the dangers of war.
Corporal John “Big John” Barboza
Corporal John “Big John” Barboza
Ray's foxhole buddy and seasoned soldier, known for his bear-like appearance. He becomes squad leader and learns to balance kindness with the harshness of military life.
Lieutenant Colonel Sano
Lieutenant Colonel Sano
A Japanese army commander who believes in honorable self-sacrifice and indoctrinates young soldiers with propaganda. He encourages the Okinawan children to fight and die for Japan during the conflict.
288
Novel • Fiction
Okinawa, Japan • 1940s
2018
Middle grade
10-14 years
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