American War by Omar El Akkad

This story takes place in the future in the divided former United States. There are obvious similarities to our world today and it doesn't take a huge leap of faith to see that this story could become our future. The raw emotion and pain that the Chestnut family and others endure is substantial and timeless. Imagine Louisiana at the time of the Civil War - hate runs high in the Southern states as does patriotism, rations are scarce with death and danger always on the doorstep. When the family loses the father/husband to a bombing , mom and three children leave their home to seek shelter at a refugee camp where they will simply learn to survive. Sara, called Sarat, stands out among the kids as the one that will take any dare, run faster than any sniper and is smarter than most of the boys and equally as dangerous.
She will meet a man whom she thinks of as a teacher but he will recruit her and turn her into a runner and insurgent. Her family lost to her, she will be imprisoned and suffer unimaginable horrors. Even after her release safety and peace are lost to her and will make a terrible choice. This is a brutal look at civil war past and future and what one family will do to survive. It will stay with you for a long time after you finish the final page.