1. How would the book have ended differently if Jillian and David had not had sex?

2. Though it’s not completely articulated, Jillian has a theory why some people ended up on one side of the shift and some people ended up on the other side. What is her theory? What is yours?

3. What decisions does David make based on his relationship with his father? In what way does his father influence nearly every decision he makes?

4. What current political shift (or split) is happening in Washington DC that mirrors the division of people when the poles shift?

5. What lost strength does Becky find and draw on as the condition of the earth grows more questionable?

6. Which characters call Becky “Rebecca”? What is a distinguishing factor in who calls her “Becky” and who uses “Rebecca” or “Dr Sorenson”?

7. Becky is the only character out of the four main characters who lacks alienation from her family in some way. What is the common thread in those alienated relationships? And why does it affect so many of them? Even Dr. Landerly?

8. The shift affects each character’s interaction with his/her family in some way. Which characters had a choice in this matter? And how much did they influence how their relationship with their families worked by the end of the book?

9. What skill does Jordan have that helps him perform better at the CDC and makes him indispensable during the shift? Why do the other characters admire this so much? Why can’t Jordan even see what his skill is? Why does he have to have it pointed out to him by Landerly?

10. Why do Jillian and David shift back and forth repeatedly? Do they ever find out exactly why? What are the theories? Why do you think it is?

11. Why does Jillian insist that she be the one to inject David

10. Why isn’t every loose end tied up at the end of the book?