The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirch

I got this book from my bonus points on Scholastic Book orders and was happily surprised.  The book grabs you from the beginning.  You step right into the action of a world after China unleashed a plague on Norht America.  I like the way that the author touches on political views lightly throughout the book but does not point fingers.  Simply refers to the fact that we don't want to continue to make the same mistakes as we begin to rebuild the world.  Stephan is our main character.  He seeks refuge in an old gated community that has developed into a little town that is trying hard to continue life as it use to be.  Stephan is a scavenger and has missed out on the "normal" they have.  Befriended by Jenny, a Chinese refugee, Stephan and her not only travel on a struggle as where they fit in the world as it is now but also how they fit into eachothers lives.  I recommend this book to all ages.  It is middle grade and up.