University Center for International Studies |  Asian Studies Center | NCTA National

Online Book Discussion

Global Issues Through Literature: Grenade by Alan Gratz

 

Global Issues Through Literature: Grenade by Alan Gratz

Thursday, April 23, 2026

6:00pm - 7:30pm (Eastern Time)

In collaboration with the Global Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh, NCTA at Pitt is sponsoring a novel exploring the role of the U.S. in East Asia as part of their Global Issues Through Literature Series (GILS). This April's program will feature Alan Gratz’s book Grenade, a novel about an Okinawan boy named Hideki who encounters an American G.I. named Ray during the Battle of Okinawa. This decisive battle between the Imperial Japanese Army and the Allied Forces led by the United States provides the setting for this engaging young adult novel.

This reading group for K-16 educators explores literary texts from a global perspective. Content specialists will present the work and its context, and participants brainstorm innovative pedagogical practices for incorporating the text and its themes into the curriculum. 

A complimentary copy of the book and three Act 48 credit hours are provided for Pennsylvania Teachers. For teachers in other states, we can provide you with a copy of the book and a certificate of completion.

After you register, we will send you a confirmation email and will (depending on your response below) send a complimentary copy of Grenade.  You will also receive information about logging on to the Zoom session.

NOTE: This registration form is only for NCTA alumni. If you have already registered for the Global Issues Through Literature program on Grenade via the Global Studies Center's site, then you do NOT need to register again using this form.

 

Deadline to apply for the session on Grenade is April 1, 2026

 

Global Issues Through Literature: Grenade by Alan Gratz
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 - 23:59
Online Book Discussion
Event Location: 
Online via Zoom

Global Issues Through Literature: Grenade by Alan Gratz

 

Global Issues Through Literature: Grenade by Alan Gratz

Thursday, April 23, 2026

6:00pm - 7:30pm (Eastern Time)

In collaboration with the Global Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh, NCTA at Pitt is sponsoring a novel exploring the role of the U.S. in East Asia as part of their Global Issues Through Literature Series (GILS). This April's program will feature Alan Gratz’s book Grenade, a novel about an Okinawan boy named Hideki who encounters an American G.I. named Ray during the Battle of Okinawa. This decisive battle between the Imperial Japanese Army and the Allied Forces led by the United States provides the setting for this engaging young adult novel.

This reading group for K-16 educators explores literary texts from a global perspective. Content specialists will present the work and its context, and participants brainstorm innovative pedagogical practices for incorporating the text and its themes into the curriculum. 

A complimentary copy of the book and three Act 48 credit hours are provided for Pennsylvania Teachers. For teachers in other states, we can provide you with a copy of the book and a certificate of completion.

After you register, we will send you a confirmation email and will (depending on your response below) send a complimentary copy of Grenade.  You will also receive information about logging on to the Zoom session.

NOTE: This registration form is only for NCTA alumni. If you have already registered for the Global Issues Through Literature program on Grenade via the Global Studies Center's site, then you do NOT need to register again using this form.

 

Deadline to apply for the session on Grenade is April 1, 2026

 

Event/Opportunity Type: 
Online Book Discussion Group(s)
Type: 
Online Book Discussion

2026 Spring NCTA Alumni Online Book Discussion Group: Let Only Red Flowers Bloom by Emily Feng

 

2026 Spring NCTA Alumni Online Book Discussion Group

Let Only Red Flowers Bloom:

by Emily Feng

January 25 through April 12, 2026

A free, asynchronous book discussion group over eleven weeks.

In her introduction to Let Only Red Flowers Bloom, NPR correspondent Emily Feng explains that “This is a book about identity, how the state controls expressions of identity, and who gets to be considered Chinese.” In a country of over 1.4 billion people and 56 recognized ethnic groups, Xi Jinping is attempting to shape a unified Chinese identity, one that is staunchly loyal to the Communist Party.  

"Through a series of intimate portraits, Feng explores some of the political communities and issues that have been most affected by Xi’s tenure: human rights lawyers, ethnic minorities, Hong Kongers, and the Chinese diaspora. Feng’s subjects are largely idealists who engage in activities that eventually run afoul of Xi’s increasingly repressive regime. They include a lawyer who helped spark a nationwide debate on the need for a more humane Chinese legal system, a young Hui Muslim who founded an Islamic study center to advance religious and cultural understanding, and a bookseller in Hong Kong who sought to keep freedom of expression alive in the city."  

(Elizabeth Economy in Foreign Affairs) 

 
In addition to the book we will read and discuss timely news articles that pertain directly to the book's topics.

This free discussion group will be conducted asynchronously (using the Proboards platform) beginning January 25, with the first post due February 1, and will continue through April 12 in eleven one-week modules.  

This discussion group is for NCTA Alumni in the University of Pittsburgh Coordinating Site region (PA, OH, MI, WV, MD, AL, MN, DE, LA, IL, KY) 

For Pennsylvania teachers, completion of this book discussion will be worth fourteen Act 48 hours. For teachers in other states, we can provide you with a certificate of completion.
All participants will receive a complimentary copy of the book.

After you register, we will send you a confirmation email and will (depending on your response below) send a complimentary copy of the book.  You will also receive information on logging on to the Proboards Discussion Board site and a schedule of the readings and assignments.

 

Deadline to apply for this Book Group is January 15, 2026

 

Event/Opportunity Type: 
Online Book Discussion Group(s)
Type: 
Online Book Discussion