How It’s Done

Christine Kole MacLean
Flux (2006)
ISBN 9780738710297
Reviewed by Sarah Johnson (age 16) for Reader Views (9/07)


“How It’s Done” is a very well-written book.  I enjoyed the quality of description and word choices the author made.  The plot was well thought out, and the characters memorable.  However, I cannot recommend this book because of its few, but striking downsides.  The first being cussing; however, that would not stop me from recommending a book.  The second, and the reason I cannot recommend the book, is the parts about sex.  I believe that sex before marriage is wrong, so Grace’s rebellious attitude towards her father, and her absolute belief in Michael – her willingness that he loved her and wanted what was best for her, was annoying, and wrong for me.  Even with that, I would sill suggest the book if the ending had given me a positive backing.  If she had realized she was wrong, apologized to her father, and got back on track – I might have enjoyed the book.  However, all she realized was that Michael was too old for her.  There was no suggestion that Grace had rethought her actions and regretted them.  Therefore, I cannot recommend “How It’s Done.”

Reviewed by Tabytha Joy (age 15) for Reader Views (8/07)


“How It’s Done” is about an eighteen-year-old girl who falls in love with a guy much older then she. Grace was raised in a Christian home and didn’t believe in sex until marriage. Well, Grace and her best friend, Liv, hang out together a lot. When Liv convinces Grace to go to a program at the college, Grace meets Michael.

Michael is much older than Grace, but she doesn’t mind because she is in love with him. Grace’s father does not approve of the relationship and tells Grace that she must break it off with Michael, or he will be sure that Michael loses his job at the college. Instead of breaking it off with him, Grace decides to have sex with Michael, in hopes that her father will allow them to be together.

One night, Michael proposes to Grace and Grace accepts. While on a school field trip, Grace finds out that her father is having an affair. This tears Grace apart and she wonders if she should tell her mother.

Liv stops by Grace’s house one night, and tells her to get in the car. While riding with Liv, Liv admits to Grace that she and Michael are having a “thing” on the side. Right after telling her, they get into a car accident and Liv disappears. Will Grace still marry Michael?

“How It’s Done” was a fun and exciting book to read. I really enjoyed all the surprises throughout this book. In some ways, I can compare to Liv in this story as on page 162, Grace tells us that “once Liv had made up her mind about something, it was impossible to change it.” Sometimes I am that way. I would recommend this book for everyone as it teaches a very valuable lesson about life and how important it is to think about this life rather than the next.

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