104 pages 3 hours read

Alan Gratz

Grenade

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2018

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Before You Read

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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.

Reviews & Readership

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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 this

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.

RecommendedReading Age

10-14years

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

Action / Adventure

Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Period

WWII / World War II

Topics

Military / War

Grief / Death

Trauma / Abuse / Violence

Themes

Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality

Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal