The Gift Moves

Steve Lyon's first novel, THE GIFT MOVES is an intriguing tale of a young teenage girl called Path Down The Mountain, also known as Path. I enjoy how the setting is in the future, and yet the conflict does not evolve around the fact, it is just there. In addition, I enjoy how the conflict is concealed to me at first, and how it is subtle, and yet is full of meaning and lessons - if one looks closely enough. I rated this book four stars. The characters are not too many, and not too complicated, and all tie in at the end. In addition, the setting is interesting, but most of all, I enjoy how each chapter is in first person, and yet every other is switching from Path to Bird (his real name is Bird Speaks - he is the same age and tries to befriend the new Hand). I enjoy being fed each detail ever so slowly, and not knowing more than the character did. That is why I rated THE GIFT MOVES four stars. Even though the story does not directly state that it is in the future, due to various details, one can make this assumption. Path is originally from Boon, that is where there are sheep, and they sleep in tents. However, when she becomes a Hand, she moves away for five years, through Rollydee (a huge city) and off Dare Harbor, to an island called The Banks. On the island is a small town, where everyone knows each other. In there, is the Weavers Yard, (where she stays with an older hand) which is near to the beach, and next to the bakery, where Bird lives with his mother and his older sister. Of all the people that you meet throughout the novel, four of them stand out the most. Path - the new Hand of Heron. Bird, the boy who lives and works at the bakery next door to the weaver's yard and who tries to befriend and help Path. Aster, the older Hand to Heron, and Heron, the supreme weaver, known all over the place. Heron is not kind, but works the girls hard and long. Whenever Path sneaks out at night, she beats her with her staff. Bird pursued a friendship with Path, who is quiet about herself, and Aster, who knows what happens if Heron under the beatings of Heron's cane... At first, I could not tell what the conflict was. I was confused; would there be a huge natural disaster or a death? Then I realized that it was cleverer than that. As Bird wants to know more about Path, she is reluctant to look into her past and reveille what had been burdening her for years. Her mother had not been from boon, she was from Rollydee, the city, and was a dancer. After Path was born, she stayed with her father in boon, but soon wanted to dance again, and so she took Path with her and they moved back to the city. There path had met many wonderful people - and enjoyed the experience. She would go with her mother on trips, and would watch her perform on stage. However, once, when her mother had jumped extremely high, she yelled "mama!" out to her because she was so proud. But that only made the dancer fall. After that she left her behind, but Path woul

THE GIFT MOVES, by Steve Lyons, is this author's first literary accomplishment. And a worthy one. Geared toward the fifth to ninth grade reader, it has a cadence and beauty that will not be lost on those who choose to read it, even those of us who might be a bit older, too (like me!). I usually don't comment on the cover art of a book ("you can't judge a book by its cover"), but I think it is noteworthy to mention that the eye-catching design has insightful meaning to the story (the sandy beach, a girl's legs running on that beach, the colorful purple dress, the tattoo running up her legs, and, of utmost importance, the Sun and Moon pendant that is a significant symbol within the narrative). The story unfolds around the life of Path, a young girl who is leaving her country home of Boon to live as a Hand (that's a weaver's apprentice) at a stodgy old ladies loomhouse. Bringing with her from Boon, she carries a special pendant - the Sun and Moon - that she took from her mother just before she died. Once in her new community she is swiftly snatched up by Heron, her grumpy new loomhouse boss, and befriended by Bird, a nice young boy who works in the bakery next door. Excitement is palpable as everyone in this little village prepares for the Midsummer's Day celebration; everything (and I do mean everything) is packed into a burning pyre in the Circle of town, indicating the ending of the old year and beginning of the new. But Path isn't very hip about Midsummer's Day. It's where her mother left her and turned her over to her father many years ago. Path has never forgiven her mother for that - the abandonment she feels throughout the story is achingly present - and hasn't attended a Midsummer's Day celebration in years because of it. Can she release the Moon and Star pendant, throwing it into the fire to live anew? Or will the fire envelope her instead? The interesting thing about this book is that it can be enjoyed on many different levels. In order, there is: a coming of age story, a futuristic society turned back to a bartering civilization, a science fiction element in the development of trees that absorb and produce everything from batteries to earthen items, a love story, and unusual family dynamics. Although this may sound like something that would confuse younger readers, on the contrary I believe it will stimulate their imaginations. And even if they don't catch all the nuances to other themes, they're sure to enjoy at least a few levels of understanding after they're done with the novel.

What a wonderful book - set in the future but yet in the past - of a simple yet intriguing story of love, accomplishment and growing up. While the book is sold as targeted to teens, I enjoyed the book as an adult. It made me pause and consider some of my priorities. Bravo, Steve!