Review of “Shift,” by Jennifer Bradbury

“Shift,” by Jennifer Bradbury is a realistic fiction novel about two boys who embark on a cross country bike journey that will change both of their lives in ways they wouldn’t have imagined.

The main characters in “Shift” are two teenage boys named Christopher and Winston.  Chris and Win have been friends ever since elementary school but they have markedly different personalities and backgrounds.  Christopher’s dad works in a small business and lives a fairly ordinary life.  On the other hand, Winston’s father owns a huge company and uses his financial position to influence senators and get his son accepted by an Ivy League school.

“Shift” is unique in that it spans two major themes.  In one respect it is a typical “coming of age” story that uses the concept of a physical journey to mirror the mental journey that Chris and Win will take.  However “Shift” is also a mystery story.

Author Jennifer Bradbury switches back and forth between two view points.  First she shows Christopher weeks after the trip is over.  Christopher completed the cross country trip successfully.  There was only one problem.  He was the only one who came back.

Nobody knows where Winston is.  His rich parents are frantic, especially when they discover that their son took nineteen thousand dollars with him on the trip.  Before long Christopher has an FBI agent following him and asking him questions about Winston’s mysterious disappearance.

But even Christopher doesn’t know where Winston is.  The FBI and Winston’s parents don’t believe him.  When Winston’s father buys out the business where Christopher’s dad works he begins putting pressure on Christopher to tell what he knows.  Winston’s father hints that he will fire Christopher’s dad if Winston doesn’t show up.

Christopher has no choice but to try to find Winston.  Christopher may not know exactly where Winston is, but he has a few ideas; he just isn’t sure Winston wants to be found.  To track down his missing friend he must follow a trail of clues that will take him back to the small roads and small towns of their cross country trip.

“Shift” is a great book that does a good job of depicting the turmoil of friendship over the years.  I found it to be very balanced and realistic in the way it showed Christopher and Winston slowly growing apart on their cross country journey.

The alternating point of view between Christopher in the present facing pressure from the FBI and Winston’s father, and Christopher in the past traveling cross country with Winston, is a masterful choice on Jennifer Bradbury’s part.  It allows her to develop the mystery theme and at the same time share clues without giving too much away.

The ending of “Shift” was a little bit surprising, and definitely not what I had expected.  However, I felt satisfied by Jennifer Bradbury’s conclusion.

In summary I would say that “Shift” is a great book that explores friendship and the relationship between youths and their parents.

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