Grenade by Alan Gratz

Post date: Sep 6, 2019

World War II in the Pacific is coming to an end in April of 1945. The Unites States and its allies have been island hopping toward victory against Japan. The island of Okinawa is the only island left before an invasion of Japan can occur. The Okinawans are looked down upon by the Japanese. Hideki is a 14-year-old native Okinawan who has been drafted into the Blood and Iron Student Corps. He is handed two grenades and told to protect the island and kill American soldiers. Hideki does not want hurt anyone. He just wants to find his family. Ray Majors is a young Marine who has just landed on the island. He joined the Marines because he wanted to get away from his angry father. Hideki and Ray both have to survive ambushes, bombs, and traps in order to survive. Their meeting will change their lives forever. Can they both survive?