High school seniors Chris and Winston have been friends forever. Win even feels like a second son to Chris’s parents, more so than his own demanding, hard-to-please father and indifferent, travel-crazy mother. Graduation is quickly approaching, with both enrolled in separate colleges, yet neither are quite sure what he really wants to do with his life. When Chris’s mom starts hounding him about finding a summer job, Chris quickly searches for an alternative. He jumps on the idea that he and Win had casually talked about --- riding their bicycles across the country. Within weeks, they wrangle permission from their parents, plan and prepare for their trip, and find themselves facing the adventure of a lifetime.

Immediately following graduation, Chris and Win set out on their journey from West Virginia to Washington State. Carrying camping supplies, food and extra bicycle gear, such as inner tubes and patch kits, they prepare to travel 3,000 miles in two months. They have no idea of the adventures in store for them, the interesting people they’ll meet, the conversations they’ll share, the insights on life they’ll uncover…or the secrets they keep from each other. Why, for example, does Win have almost $20,000 in cash hidden in his pack, but always finds excuses when it’s time to pay for supplies?

Just as they are nearing the end of their trip, Win leaves Chris stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire, without any explanation. Steaming mad about being ditched, Chris returns home and then heads off to college. He still hasn’t heard from Win but is too angry to care. Until the FBI arrives at his dorm wanting to talk to him.

Jennifer Bradbury delivers a terrific story filled with mystery, suspense, a transforming friendship, intense feelings and a powerful journey of two young men’s passage into the next phase of their lives. She cleverly alternates chapters with the post-trip interrogation of the FBI into Win’s disappearance and Chris’s battle dealing with Win’s behavior, and flashbacks to their amazing journey across the country. This alternating of chapters snags a hold of the reader’s attention, pulling him/her through the pages with anticipation. She also does a superb job of easing the story through the fiery emotions with which both friends are dealing.

It should be noted that Bradbury actually accomplished a similar journey herself, cycling across the country, so she has the experience and skills to make this awesome story lifelike and believable. SHIFT is a wonderful book by a gifted author.