I remember this book. This was one of the first books that actually made me cry when I was younger. I don't even remember how old I was. But I remember it was around Sept. 11. 
 This book is about a young man who witnesses the end of the world. In a nutshell, a piece of space rock of unimaginable proportions is about to collide with Earth. (view spoiler)[ It is so huge that just one little fragment of it was enough to destroy the west coast of the United States. (hide spoiler)] 
 What follows is a sad tale of how the protagonist manages to get a seat on a shuttle out of Earth, so that he will be part of a new world that will preserve the human race. 
 The book was very good, from what I remember. I wish I could read this again. I should.