The year is 2067 and a virulent plague has killed 2/3 of the world's male population. In some countries disorder reigned as male leaders were no longer available to run the governments. In others, the constitutional order of progression spiraled down to the first woman and they took over responsibility for maintaining order, initiating and orchestrating mass cremations and bringing together medical researchers to solve the mystery of the contagion before every male on the face of the earth was wiped out.
Charlie and his Mom and sister had gone camping and news reached them via radio about the catastrophe. The disease is fast - 24 hours to death. His Mom keeps checking him for symptoms. His Dad is back home in Seattle and they fear for his safe.
Fast forward 30 years. Elisha's Bear, the plague, has occurred 3 more times. PAC, Population Apportionment Council, runs the world. The council decides that no more than 5% of the population should be male and these males are relegated to non-threatening positions outside mainstream society. All must pass trials to determine their future roles in society.
Charlie Winter's son, Kellen, is studying for his trials and hoping his Mom, a high-ranking official in PAC, will finally allow him to go stay with his Dad, a fisherman loner. Kellen and his friends, Tia and Sunday, discover horrible facts relating to the plague while doing homework assigned by Ms. Andersen. They are heroes!...Or are they?
Great suspense read. Though-provoking themes. Some rough language.
"I couldn't help wondering if this way my last supper...Shouldn't we have some wine? And a few apostles?"
Truman Award Preliminary Nominee 2012-13
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