Epitaph Road by David Patneaude

This book was a classroom gift from a student, and I gave it a rating of four out of five. It takes place in the year 2097, thirty years after 97% of the male population dies from a mysterious virus called Elisha's Bear. Kellen's cousins, Tia and Summer, come to town, and the three of them uncover some overwhelming secrets. Tia had suspicions before arriving, but it looks as though the Elisha virus wasn't a random event; it was intentionally spread. And Kellen's mother is involved. He discovers that his father's life is now in danger, so he heads up north with Tia and Summer to save his father's life. However, once they arrive, they make some new discoveries that could spell the end of humans on Earth.

The conflict was very interesting, and it brings new meaning to the term "battle of the sexes". It takes concerns with society today and comes up with an unusual, and hopefully unrealistic, solution to the problems. The twist to the plot when the kids arrive at the bunker was probably predictable, but I didn't have my thinking cap on before that. The second half of the book had much more suspense than the second half, and I smell a sequel. I don't know if it will happen, but the door is open.