Shift

May 5, 2008
For best friends Chris and Win, nothing could be more gratifying than a two-month-long cross-country bike trip following high school graduation. But when Win suddenly disappears somewhere in Montana, and Chris, the narrator, returns home alone to Virginia with only a hunch where his friend might be, Chris's once-firm grasp on reality slowly begins to weaken—especially when Win's overprotective, blowhard father launches an FBI investigation to track down his son. This debut novel transcends the run-of-the-mill alienated-teens-on-a-road-trip plot. While the boys meet interesting people and discover fascinating and gorgeously lonesome parts of the country, they also evolve in ways neither thought possible. Endowing both boys with a heavy dose of idealism, responsibility and self-preservation, Bradbury makes their growth feel genuine and even profound. Chris and readers are equally in the dark about Win's disappearance, making the mystery that much more exciting. Ages 12–up.

May 1, 2008
Gr 8 Up-Best friends Chris and Win head out on a West Virginia to Washington State bicycle adventure after high school graduation, at the end of which Win disappears. Alternating chapters flash back to details of the trip, then forward to a private investigation instigated by Win's powerful father to uncover why his son told lies to Chris about an uncle in Seattle who doesn't exist, among other things. Little by little, Win's rich, domineering, and neglectful parents come more into focus, and it becomes evident that the teen needed to escape their iron rule. Win's father is sure Chris is keeping his son's whereabouts a secret. When Chris does figure out where his friend is hiding, everything comes together, as Win deflects his controlling father and sets out to make a life of his own. Chris is a well-drawn character, and readers will care about him. Win is naturally a puzzle-angry, and fighting to become himself. The story moves quickly and will easily draw in readers. Though appearing to be a mystery, it is actually a cross-country personal quest, built on vignettes of realistic encounters along the way, like Ellen Wittlinger's "Zigzag" (S & S, 2003)."Diane P. Tuccillo, Fort Collins Regional Library District, CO"

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