On the Edge of Gone by Corinne Duyvis

Denise is trying to get her mother to leave and go to a shelter.  The comet is going to hit and they can't wait any longer for Iris.  But her mother doesn't want to leave without Iris.  It doesn't help that she's high and not functioning normally.  When they leave late, Denise is sure they won't make it on time.  Then she finds a teacher from school who has a companion that has broken her leg in a fall.  They load them in the car and there's hardly any time left.  The teacher takes them to another "shelter".  Instead of a shelter, it's a rocket ship...

Amulet Books sent me an ARC of this book for review (thank you).  It has been published, so you can get a copy now.

They are only allowed on board because of the pending disaster.  They are told they will have to leave once it is safe again.  When Denise finds out they are on a space ship that plans to leave the earth and start over, she's intrigued.  She wants them to be able to stay.  She also wants to find Iris before they take off.

Denise is autistic, her mother is a druggie, her sister used to be a boy, and her teacher is a lesbian.  The mix of characters shows it takes all types to survive.  Denise has trouble with changes, her mother has trouble with life, and they have to be useful to go on the ship with its limited supplies.

The story is intense, sounds authentic, and until the end Denise doesn't know what she will do.  She turns into a very important part of the story and it's her suggestions that finally get implemented.

I found this to be a very impressive book.  Ms. Duyvis writes well and creates a good story.