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Girl in Shades: A Novel
Sweetly funny and deeply perceptive, this novel follows eleven-year-old Maya Devine's search for her mother, her father, and above all, herself, offering a fresh take on what it means to grow up and discover who you really are. Maya has always seen color around people’s bodies, and can sometimes even hear what’s going on inside their heads. These insights make everyone a bit more interesting, but the one person she'll never figure out is her mother. Marigold has never been like the other moms, but still, Maya sometimes feels like she is all she has.
When Marigold is diagnosed with cancer and vows to spend her final days in the tepee she’s set up in the backyard, neighbors and strangers, believing the dying Marigold to be a prophet, camp out in front of the family’s house. As her father grows ever more distant, Maya finds solace in the music of Corey Hart, but when Marigold’s death leaves questions unanswered, she sets off to discover the truth about her family and identity.
When Marigold is diagnosed with cancer and vows to spend her final days in the tepee she’s set up in the backyard, neighbors and strangers, believing the dying Marigold to be a prophet, camp out in front of the family’s house. As her father grows ever more distant, Maya finds solace in the music of Corey Hart, but when Marigold’s death leaves questions unanswered, she sets off to discover the truth about her family and identity.
384 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2011
13 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Allison Baggio
2 books12 followersAllison Baggio is the author of Girl In Shades, which was hailed by Chatelaine as "a remarkable first novel" and In the Body, which was named a Canadian Favourite of 2012 by the National Post. Her writing has appeared in publications all across Canada, including Room, subTerrain, LICHEN, Today's Parent, and the Toronto Star. She is a graduate of York University and the Humber School for Writers. She can be found online at allisonbaggio.com.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 11, 2025
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It took until 2011 for our time to come: Corey Hart is loved by a protagonist and quoted as a lyricist! Even “Ready Player One” failed to reference him.
Allison Baggio’s “Girl In Shades” scored four stars. “Have got” contractions and queries with “said” instead of “ask” accumulated. I abhorred a Mother minimizing a pregnancy and Father choosing a girlfriend over his Daughter. However, Maya backtracked cancer’s impact colourfully in 1985. She sees everyone’s auras.
Another stream of chapters shows her handling both losses intelligently and determinedly to age 20. Auras and telepathy create confidence for a child who knows truths from lies; a superpower that protects the novel from being glum. Maya is resourceful, inquisitive, and keeps on moving. She collects amends owing from her infancy. I enjoyed Saskatoon as the main setting.
This novel is so compelling during my modern prairie girlhood; I ignored the jarring first person, present tense no storytellers should use. I understood the magnitude of a Mom’s ascension and double fury at a Dad who was ill-equipped to treat us decently through it. Two school friends, an Aunt, and Leah’s roommate, Buffy added fun elements along the way. I did not imagine sailing through a coming of age story as I have, let alone reading one.
The cover is poorly chosen because there are no shades and it depicts Marigold, Maya’s Mom. However, this title is a homing signal for Corey fans. Allison does not occupy the crazy level you are about to behold.
Corey’s début album, “First Offense” yielded “Sunglasses At Night” in 1983, not 1984. Maya pointlessly addressed a letter to Montréal at large. Corey’s albums carry his mailing address. Finally, he was not “retro” in 1993. His sixth album came out in 1992.
Picture me executing a mike drop and bowing!
It took until 2011 for our time to come: Corey Hart is loved by a protagonist and quoted as a lyricist! Even “Ready Player One” failed to reference him.
Allison Baggio’s “Girl In Shades” scored four stars. “Have got” contractions and queries with “said” instead of “ask” accumulated. I abhorred a Mother minimizing a pregnancy and Father choosing a girlfriend over his Daughter. However, Maya backtracked cancer’s impact colourfully in 1985. She sees everyone’s auras.
Another stream of chapters shows her handling both losses intelligently and determinedly to age 20. Auras and telepathy create confidence for a child who knows truths from lies; a superpower that protects the novel from being glum. Maya is resourceful, inquisitive, and keeps on moving. She collects amends owing from her infancy. I enjoyed Saskatoon as the main setting.
This novel is so compelling during my modern prairie girlhood; I ignored the jarring first person, present tense no storytellers should use. I understood the magnitude of a Mom’s ascension and double fury at a Dad who was ill-equipped to treat us decently through it. Two school friends, an Aunt, and Leah’s roommate, Buffy added fun elements along the way. I did not imagine sailing through a coming of age story as I have, let alone reading one.
The cover is poorly chosen because there are no shades and it depicts Marigold, Maya’s Mom. However, this title is a homing signal for Corey fans. Allison does not occupy the crazy level you are about to behold.
Corey’s début album, “First Offense” yielded “Sunglasses At Night” in 1983, not 1984. Maya pointlessly addressed a letter to Montréal at large. Corey’s albums carry his mailing address. Finally, he was not “retro” in 1993. His sixth album came out in 1992.
Picture me executing a mike drop and bowing!
September 2, 2025
“Death is as sure for that which is born, as birth is for that which is dead. Therefore, grieve not for what is inevitable.” - Bhagavad Gita
I wasn’t sure I could finish this one. I put it aside for a while but found I was thinking about it too much to leave it. It’s a hard story. Maya’s mom, Marigold, is dying of cancer, her relationship with her dad is deteriorating, and she’s struggling to find herself in her little corner of the world, Saskatoon. I saw a lot of myself in Maya and I’ll admit it was hard to look. The breakdown of her relationship with her father was eerily like mine and that was very triggering. It brought up a lot of issues that I have yet to deal with and not just issues with my dad. It was extremely hard to read many parts of this book. Our dads even have the same name.
“‘Sometimes you fall off of life, but then you get back on.’” - Marigold
I think that because this book was so triggering I found it rather depressing at times. Obviously, we have the slow, tragic death of her mother. We have several characters who are experiencing depression but have no one to help them get help. We have many parents who are doing terrible jobs at parenting. We have neighbours and friends taking advantage of this family’s misery to make themselves feel better about themselves and their lives. And in the middle of this all, we have 11-year-old abused and neglected Maya trying every way she can possibly think of to save her mom and her little sister.
It’s not all darkness though. Maya has the ability to see auras and hear people’s inner thoughts which provide a bit of protection and strength. She can see through people’s lies and see things from their perspective. There are also some lovely characters who bring a lot of light to the story: Aunt Leah, her friend and roommate Buffy, and Maya’s grandfather. Buffy was my favourite.
“Even the illusions are part of the truth.’” - Maya
This is an unusual coming-of-age novel. It’s the story of Maya discovering her mother and coming to terms with her life and all the ways she failed her. It is the story of Maya’s road to forgiveness. Mostly, this is the story of how Maya’s mother died, and the story of how Maya learned how to live. This is a book tackling big things and big ideas and honestly I’m still not sure what I think of it. All I know was I needed to read it. Thank you to my friend Carolyn for sending me this book that I didn’t know I needed.
“I will never forget the peaceful sort of stillness that descended into the room when the end came. It was like a thick fog that no longer let me see out. For a moment, I remember thinking that something that feels like that must be all right.”
I wasn’t sure I could finish this one. I put it aside for a while but found I was thinking about it too much to leave it. It’s a hard story. Maya’s mom, Marigold, is dying of cancer, her relationship with her dad is deteriorating, and she’s struggling to find herself in her little corner of the world, Saskatoon. I saw a lot of myself in Maya and I’ll admit it was hard to look. The breakdown of her relationship with her father was eerily like mine and that was very triggering. It brought up a lot of issues that I have yet to deal with and not just issues with my dad. It was extremely hard to read many parts of this book. Our dads even have the same name.
“‘Sometimes you fall off of life, but then you get back on.’” - Marigold
I think that because this book was so triggering I found it rather depressing at times. Obviously, we have the slow, tragic death of her mother. We have several characters who are experiencing depression but have no one to help them get help. We have many parents who are doing terrible jobs at parenting. We have neighbours and friends taking advantage of this family’s misery to make themselves feel better about themselves and their lives. And in the middle of this all, we have 11-year-old abused and neglected Maya trying every way she can possibly think of to save her mom and her little sister.
“‘What do you feel like doing?’
‘Digging a hole and going to live in it for the rest of my life,’ I say to him.
‘It would be so dark down there.’
‘I would bring a flashlight or something.’
‘Bet it feels pretty dark up here these days too,’ Mr. Wigman says and I suddenly feel itchy all over my body.”
It’s not all darkness though. Maya has the ability to see auras and hear people’s inner thoughts which provide a bit of protection and strength. She can see through people’s lies and see things from their perspective. There are also some lovely characters who bring a lot of light to the story: Aunt Leah, her friend and roommate Buffy, and Maya’s grandfather. Buffy was my favourite.
“Even the illusions are part of the truth.’” - Maya
This is an unusual coming-of-age novel. It’s the story of Maya discovering her mother and coming to terms with her life and all the ways she failed her. It is the story of Maya’s road to forgiveness. Mostly, this is the story of how Maya’s mother died, and the story of how Maya learned how to live. This is a book tackling big things and big ideas and honestly I’m still not sure what I think of it. All I know was I needed to read it. Thank you to my friend Carolyn for sending me this book that I didn’t know I needed.
“I will never forget the peaceful sort of stillness that descended into the room when the end came. It was like a thick fog that no longer let me see out. For a moment, I remember thinking that something that feels like that must be all right.”
March 2, 2012
It's 1985 and eleven-year-old Maya Devine's mother is dying of cancer. That would be bad enough, but her mother also moved into a teepee in the backyard, which has attracted the attention of neighbours and the media. Embarrassed and confused, Maya must not only cope with her mother's illness and her father's failings, she must deal with the school bully, Jackie. Every girl knew a Jackie in grade school, the popular child with all the friends who scorned and ridiculed the other girls who didn't measure up. Maya turns to the music of Corey Hart for solace.
Unsure whether it's a gift or a curse, Maya can see people's auras and hear their thoughts. She tries to keep this to herself but when the thoughts of the adults around her become alarming, she reveals them, to everyone's surprise.
There's some lovely writing in Allison Baggio's debut novel. And when Maya's situation goes from bad to worse after her mother's death, I found myself fully engaged with her, in her head and in her heart, and hopeful she'd make it through all right. Maya is a sympathetic character who grows as the novel progresses. She discovers revelations about her past through her mother's diary and must rethink who she is in order to live with these discoveries. Her experiences and hardships shape and reform her, and we're with her all the way.
We follow Maya's journey through several places and timeframes, from Saskatoon to Toronto to India to Peterborough. As a side note, it's interesting to read about your own hometown (Peterborough), the places you remember, particularly as I lived there during the timeframe of the novel.
This is a coming-of-age tale that's worth reading. It's well written, at times heartbreaking, and with a heroine who's easy to root for.
Unsure whether it's a gift or a curse, Maya can see people's auras and hear their thoughts. She tries to keep this to herself but when the thoughts of the adults around her become alarming, she reveals them, to everyone's surprise.
There's some lovely writing in Allison Baggio's debut novel. And when Maya's situation goes from bad to worse after her mother's death, I found myself fully engaged with her, in her head and in her heart, and hopeful she'd make it through all right. Maya is a sympathetic character who grows as the novel progresses. She discovers revelations about her past through her mother's diary and must rethink who she is in order to live with these discoveries. Her experiences and hardships shape and reform her, and we're with her all the way.
We follow Maya's journey through several places and timeframes, from Saskatoon to Toronto to India to Peterborough. As a side note, it's interesting to read about your own hometown (Peterborough), the places you remember, particularly as I lived there during the timeframe of the novel.
This is a coming-of-age tale that's worth reading. It's well written, at times heartbreaking, and with a heroine who's easy to root for.
February 2, 2015
I wasn’t sure when I started this novel whether or not I was going to like it because the main character, 11-year old Maya, seemed to be bordering on the “mystical” with apparent psychic tendencies and an ability to see people’s auras. (Not that I don’t believe people have these abilities, but I just get a little worried that they’ll play too big a part in the story and detract from its believability.) My worries were very quickly forgotten.
This is a wonderful, unique coming of age story about a young girl who has to face the death of her mother, the abandonment of her father, the fickleness of friends and the shock of a family secret. This may all sound very dismal, but Maya’s spunk, humour and sheer desire to survive make the story very poignant and impossible to put down. You can’t help but admire Maya’s independence and determination. Yes, the story’s a little quirky at times, but that just helps make it all that more original.
By pure coincidence, this is the third Can-lit novel I’ve read in the past two months (which is a record for me!) and dare I say it? They’ve all been quite good. Perhaps it’s time for me to embrace my Canadian-ness and no longer fear any book described as Canadian literature!
This is a wonderful, unique coming of age story about a young girl who has to face the death of her mother, the abandonment of her father, the fickleness of friends and the shock of a family secret. This may all sound very dismal, but Maya’s spunk, humour and sheer desire to survive make the story very poignant and impossible to put down. You can’t help but admire Maya’s independence and determination. Yes, the story’s a little quirky at times, but that just helps make it all that more original.
By pure coincidence, this is the third Can-lit novel I’ve read in the past two months (which is a record for me!) and dare I say it? They’ve all been quite good. Perhaps it’s time for me to embrace my Canadian-ness and no longer fear any book described as Canadian literature!
January 4, 2012
I have to admit I'm a sucker for coming of age stories, but this one is a bit different. It's a bit edgy with lots of tender moments.
I loved it!
I loved it!
August 19, 2013
More than just Corey Hart. I read it all day and sobbed like a baby.
September 24, 2011
Standing by her dying mother's bedside, Maya hears the words inside her mother's head, "It hardly hurts anymore" and while she is pleased her mother is no longer in pain, for Maya the agony of her death seems overwhelming.
At eleven Maya is a bright, mature and resourceful girl who has learnt to adapt to the dysfunctional rhythms of her family. Maya's father is largely emotionally absent even when he is at home but she adores her mother despite Marigold's sometimes bizarre behaviour and frequent debilitating depressions. When Marigold is diagnosed with cancer with just months to live, Maya's fragile world begins to disintegrate.
The use of the first person point of view lends the story an intimacy and immediacy that draws the reader in. Allison Baggio skillfully portrays the childish naivete mixed with world weariness that children from difficult circumstances develop. Maya is resigned to her mothers odd proclivities and her father's detachment but nurtures a secret hope that her mother will 'get better' and with her recovery, her father will be more like the man she knew that bounced her on his knee. The author captures the powerlessness that Maya feels as events spiral out of control, adopting the lyrics of songs by (1980's teen heartthrob) Corey Hart as prayers. Mired in her own self-obsession and a media storm triggered by a family 'friend' Marigold all but ignores her daughter until her death. It's heart breaking to witness Maya's losses as first her mother withdraws mentally and then physically into a teepee she erects in the back yard and then Maya's father effectively abandons her for his lover within weeks of Marigold's death.
The lead up to the death of Marigold, and the immediate aftermath, are the defining moments of Maya's life but the story continues to unfold though in a very compressed time frame. Maya moves to live with her aunt and then at eighteen goes to India looking for answers to the questions she has about her mother. It is two years before she returns to Canada, many of her questions unanswered but spiritually enlightened. I must admit this part of the story didn't really work for me. It was leap I didn't really follow and I felt it was an airy departure from the authenticity of Maya's struggle. However I was satisfied that Maya found she could accept and move on from her difficult childhood to claim her own identity.
An intimate, character driven drama I was captivated by Maya's childhood voice. Girl in Shades is a poignant coming of age story as Maya struggles to understand and overcome the truths and lies that define her.
At eleven Maya is a bright, mature and resourceful girl who has learnt to adapt to the dysfunctional rhythms of her family. Maya's father is largely emotionally absent even when he is at home but she adores her mother despite Marigold's sometimes bizarre behaviour and frequent debilitating depressions. When Marigold is diagnosed with cancer with just months to live, Maya's fragile world begins to disintegrate.
The use of the first person point of view lends the story an intimacy and immediacy that draws the reader in. Allison Baggio skillfully portrays the childish naivete mixed with world weariness that children from difficult circumstances develop. Maya is resigned to her mothers odd proclivities and her father's detachment but nurtures a secret hope that her mother will 'get better' and with her recovery, her father will be more like the man she knew that bounced her on his knee. The author captures the powerlessness that Maya feels as events spiral out of control, adopting the lyrics of songs by (1980's teen heartthrob) Corey Hart as prayers. Mired in her own self-obsession and a media storm triggered by a family 'friend' Marigold all but ignores her daughter until her death. It's heart breaking to witness Maya's losses as first her mother withdraws mentally and then physically into a teepee she erects in the back yard and then Maya's father effectively abandons her for his lover within weeks of Marigold's death.
The lead up to the death of Marigold, and the immediate aftermath, are the defining moments of Maya's life but the story continues to unfold though in a very compressed time frame. Maya moves to live with her aunt and then at eighteen goes to India looking for answers to the questions she has about her mother. It is two years before she returns to Canada, many of her questions unanswered but spiritually enlightened. I must admit this part of the story didn't really work for me. It was leap I didn't really follow and I felt it was an airy departure from the authenticity of Maya's struggle. However I was satisfied that Maya found she could accept and move on from her difficult childhood to claim her own identity.
An intimate, character driven drama I was captivated by Maya's childhood voice. Girl in Shades is a poignant coming of age story as Maya struggles to understand and overcome the truths and lies that define her.
January 9, 2012
Originally reviewed at Christa's Hooked on Books Christa's Hooked on Books
I love when I get wowed by Canadian fiction, especially Canadian fiction from an indie press. There is some great stuff out there folks! Don't let it pass you by!
To be quiet honest for the first quarter I had hard time really getting into this story. This is partially because the opening is a bit slow, but it was probably of combination of things, including that I started this book right in the middle of NaNoWriMo. Don't do that to this book people, it deserves your full attention. Once NaNo was over and I could devote my full attention to this book I realized how beautiful and complex it really was.
Maya is an amazing character. It's going to sound weird but she's incredibly strong, but at the same time incredibly vulnerable. She is for the most part alone, forced to fend for herself and deal with all the problems life throws her way. But she's a survivor. She keeps pushing through even though it would be much easier to lie down and give up. I completely admire her. I couldn't imagine being in her situation. Her dad sucks, her mom's dead, she has little to no friends, and she can hear people's thoughts. I don't think I would handle all that nearly as well as she does.
Girl in Shades is a whirlwind of a coming of age story. It follows Maya through challenge after challenge but never feels overdone or cheesy. In a sea of coming of age stories, it also manages to feel fresh and original. It has twists and turns that surprised and impressed me. Allison Baggio has told an incredible and layered story and I can't wait to see what she writes next.
I love when I get wowed by Canadian fiction, especially Canadian fiction from an indie press. There is some great stuff out there folks! Don't let it pass you by!
To be quiet honest for the first quarter I had hard time really getting into this story. This is partially because the opening is a bit slow, but it was probably of combination of things, including that I started this book right in the middle of NaNoWriMo. Don't do that to this book people, it deserves your full attention. Once NaNo was over and I could devote my full attention to this book I realized how beautiful and complex it really was.
Maya is an amazing character. It's going to sound weird but she's incredibly strong, but at the same time incredibly vulnerable. She is for the most part alone, forced to fend for herself and deal with all the problems life throws her way. But she's a survivor. She keeps pushing through even though it would be much easier to lie down and give up. I completely admire her. I couldn't imagine being in her situation. Her dad sucks, her mom's dead, she has little to no friends, and she can hear people's thoughts. I don't think I would handle all that nearly as well as she does.
Girl in Shades is a whirlwind of a coming of age story. It follows Maya through challenge after challenge but never feels overdone or cheesy. In a sea of coming of age stories, it also manages to feel fresh and original. It has twists and turns that surprised and impressed me. Allison Baggio has told an incredible and layered story and I can't wait to see what she writes next.
November 7, 2011
Although this book is seen through the eyes of an eleven year old it has a mature quality. You go through the death of her Mother and an emotional roller coaster that ends in forgiveness. A coming of age story that captures honest feelings and circumstances. This is an awesome book and an awesome new Canadian author. I won this book here on goodreads.
March 14, 2013
Although I thought this book was a little strange at first, I ended up enjoying it. A young girl struggles to cope with the impending death of her mother who is dying from a terminal illness. She also discovers a secret about her past that sends her on a journey to find out more about herself and the person she wants to become someday. The book was well-written and the characters believable.
July 8, 2019
This book was pretty good. I thought the beginning was much better than the ending. It kept my attention throughout. But, I was disappointed in the ending.
January 17, 2012
Originally posted at All I Ever Read
I’ve been slacking a bit. I originally read Girl in Shades back in October 2011, and should have written my review then. The problem was that I just couldn’t put my thoughts into words. Well I sat down and read it a second time hoping that it would finally help me get the words out. So here goes nothing.
After two reads in a period of 4 months, there are no words I can use to adequately describe my love for Girl in Shades by Allison Baggio. Really, I am serious. NO.WORDS. But because I am a reviewer, I am certainly going to try.
Girl in Shades is a coming of age story. The main character Maya is just such an interesting and amazing character. With every page I read, I just found myself on this journey with her and ultimately I found myself privileged to be along for the ride. There is just something so wonderful and inspiring about watching Maya challenged time and time again, and every time it happens, she just picks herself up and keeps moving.
I also just loved Allison’s writing. The pacing of the story was great and I had no problem diving right in. I think I finished the book in one sitting actually. I just became so invested in what was going on that I couldn’t put the book down. The first person narration felt very intimate and personal drew me into the story from the beginning.
Girl in Shades is an intense character driven drama that should be read by everyone.
I’ve been slacking a bit. I originally read Girl in Shades back in October 2011, and should have written my review then. The problem was that I just couldn’t put my thoughts into words. Well I sat down and read it a second time hoping that it would finally help me get the words out. So here goes nothing.
After two reads in a period of 4 months, there are no words I can use to adequately describe my love for Girl in Shades by Allison Baggio. Really, I am serious. NO.WORDS. But because I am a reviewer, I am certainly going to try.
Girl in Shades is a coming of age story. The main character Maya is just such an interesting and amazing character. With every page I read, I just found myself on this journey with her and ultimately I found myself privileged to be along for the ride. There is just something so wonderful and inspiring about watching Maya challenged time and time again, and every time it happens, she just picks herself up and keeps moving.
I also just loved Allison’s writing. The pacing of the story was great and I had no problem diving right in. I think I finished the book in one sitting actually. I just became so invested in what was going on that I couldn’t put the book down. The first person narration felt very intimate and personal drew me into the story from the beginning.
Girl in Shades is an intense character driven drama that should be read by everyone.
June 18, 2012
Maya Devine is eleven years old when her mother Marigold is diagnosed with cervical cancer and decides to forgo all medical treatment in favor of spending her last months in a teepee in the backyard.
When Maya's mother dies, her father, who had been growing more distant as Marigold's illness progressed, abandons Maya in favor of nights with his secretary. Maya lives more or less alone for a year or two, teased at school, and confused by other people, whose thoughts she can sometimes hear - and whose auras she always sees. Finally, Maya's aunt Leah comes to her rescue and takes her to live with her in Toronto, just as Maya has discovered her mother's journal and is beginning to learn the truth of her family's secret past.
There's quite a lot going on in this novel, and it bounces around in time, beginning and coming back to - though not quite ending - with Marigold's death. While it can be hard to keep up with the time changes and passing of time, this was a really interesting novel. I was a bit disappointed with the end, though, where it started skipping large chunks of Maya's life in what seemed like a rush to the end.
When Maya's mother dies, her father, who had been growing more distant as Marigold's illness progressed, abandons Maya in favor of nights with his secretary. Maya lives more or less alone for a year or two, teased at school, and confused by other people, whose thoughts she can sometimes hear - and whose auras she always sees. Finally, Maya's aunt Leah comes to her rescue and takes her to live with her in Toronto, just as Maya has discovered her mother's journal and is beginning to learn the truth of her family's secret past.
There's quite a lot going on in this novel, and it bounces around in time, beginning and coming back to - though not quite ending - with Marigold's death. While it can be hard to keep up with the time changes and passing of time, this was a really interesting novel. I was a bit disappointed with the end, though, where it started skipping large chunks of Maya's life in what seemed like a rush to the end.
October 22, 2011
I loved this book. I really did.
90% of the time, I don’t finish novels. When I pick up a new book, I usually get half way through and then start asking myself – is anything in the second half of this book going to be substantially different than what’s transpired in the first half? And for most books, the answer is no. Once you’ve got half way through, you’ve got the gist of the entire novel and there’s no need to keep reading.
But with Girl in Shades, I found myself caring about Maya (the central character) and wanting to read the entirety of her journey. I even stayed up late and neglected sleep to finish it. Baggio is a very talented writer. There’s something about the way she paces her story. It’s not too fast and not too slow. It’s just right. Baggio is also able to create tight, compact descriptive sentences. In one prepositional phrase, she describes what many writers need entire paragraphs to describe.
I highly recommend this book. It’s an excellent novel and a great choice for a book club pick.
90% of the time, I don’t finish novels. When I pick up a new book, I usually get half way through and then start asking myself – is anything in the second half of this book going to be substantially different than what’s transpired in the first half? And for most books, the answer is no. Once you’ve got half way through, you’ve got the gist of the entire novel and there’s no need to keep reading.
But with Girl in Shades, I found myself caring about Maya (the central character) and wanting to read the entirety of her journey. I even stayed up late and neglected sleep to finish it. Baggio is a very talented writer. There’s something about the way she paces her story. It’s not too fast and not too slow. It’s just right. Baggio is also able to create tight, compact descriptive sentences. In one prepositional phrase, she describes what many writers need entire paragraphs to describe.
I highly recommend this book. It’s an excellent novel and a great choice for a book club pick.
May 9, 2012
Finding interesting e-books to read is not an easy task on my library's website, and when I do find one I would like to read, it usually has quite a few holds on it already. So I was pleasantly surprised to find Girl in Shades waiting to be found, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it from start to finish. Allison Ballagio did a wonderful job of seamlessly weaving Maya's tale between past and present. Some authors who attempt this end up making a book hard to keep up with, but Ballagio used it in such a way that it enhanced the story. I also appreciated that Maya didn't wallow in self-pity or despair, but continually searched for peace and truth in her life. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who's looking for a YA novel that tackles illness, death, and dysfunction in the family in a poetic and real (by which I mean, it doesn't feel fictional despite the unusual events that occur) way.
March 3, 2012
This is a wonderful first novel from Allison. I was left wanting to know more about the main character; especially what she did with her adult life. I sincerely hope that Allison is planning a sequel. The writing style is reminiscent of Anita Shreve's writing which, in my opinion, is putting Allison in a well deserved upper echelon of writers.
March 2, 2012
This is one of those books that you can't wait to share with your friends.
Read
July 9, 2012This was an excellent read - detailed and thought provoking. I loved the end!!
August 18, 2012
Great job on this debut novel! It was reminiscent of the journey of the Joy Luck Club, and towards the end, it brought me back to The Outsiders. A good example of a bildungsroman!
November 28, 2012
wonderfully written story about a young girl discovering where she fits.
January 1, 2014
So far I'm really enjoying this book. Recommend
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews