A powerful work of historical fiction by Alan Gratz, first published in 2018. Set during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, the novel presents a gripping dual-perspective narrative that explores the devastating human cost of war through the eyes of two teenage boys on opposite sides of the conflict. It has received numerous awards and is widely praised for its historical accuracy and emotional impact.

The story alternates between Hideki Kaneshiro, a 13-year-old Okinawan boy forcibly conscripted into the Japanese Blood and Iron Student Corps, and Ray Majors, a young U.S. Marine experiencing his first battle. On the day American forces land on Okinawa, Hideki is handed two grenades—one to kill an American soldier and one to take his own life rather than surrender. Meanwhile, Ray lands on the beaches believing the enemy to be ruthless and inhuman, only to discover the terrifying reality of war.

As the brutal battle unfolds, both boys witness unimaginable destruction, loss, and suffering. Propaganda, fear, and hatred begin to crumble as they confront the humanity of those they were taught to despise. Their paths eventually intersect in a life-changing encounter that forces each of them to question everything they have believed about courage, honor, and the enemy.

Gratz combines meticulous historical research with fast-paced storytelling, creating a novel that is both thrilling and deeply moving. Rather than glorifying combat, Grenade presents war as tragic and morally complex, emphasizing empathy, compassion, and the shared humanity of people caught on opposing sides of history.