How It's Done

by Christine Kole MacLean

Book Overview

Brought up in a strict fundamentalist home, eighteen-year-old Grace feels trapped in a "suburban Alcatraz" by her overbearing father and her timid mother. An affair with a college professor--a man of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0738711632
• ISBN13: 9780738711638
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Flux
• Length: 332 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.6" x 7.9"
• Age Range: 12 to 18 years
• Grade Range: Grade 7 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Fun and exciting book

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.

An honest and original read

Eighteen-year-old Grace Passedge has spent her life under the thumb of her controlling father. Her timid mother can't even stand up for herself, so she isn't much help to Grace. Raised in a God-fearing home, Grace has always assumed her parents' beliefs and followed their rules. She longs to break free of them but doesn't know how. Her chance finally arrives when she meets Michael Irving, an attractive college professor. He is nearly 10 years older than Grace but is instantly attracted to her. Their relationship must be kept secret since they live in a small town, and Grace does not want her father to find out. When he finally does hear about her relationship with Michael, the fireworks fly and Grace has to decide where her loyalties lie. During her relationship with Michael, Grace receives a lot of unsolicited advice from well-meaning friends and acquaintances. Among them is Michael's housekeeper, a nerdy boy she meets on a field trip, and her best friend, Liv. Woven into the main plot is a nice subplot about the family dynamics between Grace's mother and father. The book's ending made me stand up and cheer. Christine Kole MacLean, best known for her picture books and middle grade novels, writes with honesty and empathy in her first young adult novel. Readers will feel Grace's pain as she struggles to make her own decisions. HOW IT'S DONE is completely original, and the characters are fresh and well-developed. Though not recommended for younger teens (due to the subject matter), this is a great book for opening up meaningful discussions between mothers and their teenage daughters. --- Reviewed by Renee Kirchner (renee.kirchner@usa.net)

AWESOME BOOK!!

This book was an amazing read that really got me thinking. The characters seemed to come alive to the point where I was living in their shoes. I would definetly reccommend this book to anyone who is looking or a book that will make you laugh, cry, think, and most importantly, learn what it was like for one very mixed up high school senior. P.S. Mr. Mandabach, this is Amianne i'm just using my dad's account.

A great read!

I loved this book! Grace's character brought me back to my own teenage years. I didn't want the book to end...As the mother of two teenage daughters, the book gave me a different perspective on how my daughters see the world. In fact, they both read the book. We discussed Grace's journey towards adulthood and finding herself and they thought that the portrayal was very realistic. I look forward to Christine MacLean's next book.

How It's Done

In her new release, How It's Done, Christine Kole MacLean shows us exactly how it's done-- with great characterization! In fact, the characters are so real and developed that I'm wondering what Grace, Michael, Grace's parents, Tori are doing today. I can only hope there will be a sequel. I felt as though I lived with Grace this encounter and relationship she has with an older man. Grace thinks she finds the man she is going to marry, but mostly the person she finds is herself. Grace is endearing as she often stumbles through "doing" this relationship well. This includes her first experience with sex. Yes, mothers, that's in there too -- in a very honest and real portrayal. Good discussion material for you and your daughters!