Miriam Halahmy
ILLEGAL Meadowside fiction, March 2012
The second book in a cycle of three novels set on beautiful Hayling Island.
The death of baby Jemma has sent fifteen-year-old Lindy's family into a downward spiral : her brothers are in prison and her parents have given up. The other girls at school all have proper families, with good jobs and nice cars. Why did Lindy get landed with such a useless one?
Lindy thinks she's been thrown a lifeline when her cousin Colin gives her a job, but she's soon out of her depth - he's a drug dealer and forces her to sell cocaine. Terrified that she will go to prison and seeing no way out, Lindy starts self-harming. Then she finds a surprising ally in fellow misfit, Karl, who is mute. Together they embark upon a desperate plan to ensure her freedom.
Illegal is the story of a teenage girl, driven to take desperate measures when all other choices are taken away from her.
Order ILLEGAL on Amazon or The Book Depository
What the Reviewers think about ILLEGAL.
Excellent! Beautifully written and a really strong and gripping story.
Wendy Cooling MBE, co-founder of Bookstart
I was swept off my feet.
Angela Kilverstein, Children's Books Editor, J.C.
Miriam Halahmy has pulled off a difficult trick - a second novel as good as her first. I read it in one gulp, unable to stop. ...looking forward to Stuffed, the third book in the cycle.
Mary Hoffman
Well written, gritty contemporary tale. This is an author who can deal with tough, hard-hitting issues and keep things realistic.
The Bookbag, starred review
A great story, maybe even better than Hidden and both equally exciting and equally necessary. I'm looking forward to Miriam's next book.
Bookwitch
Illegal is another fascinating story from Miriam Halahmy and although aimed at young people, this is a book which is really enjoyable for adults too.
Katie Martin, BBC Radio Solent
A fantastic read, totally compulsive, unputdownable. The ending will make you cheer.
Leslie Wilson
Emotional, powerful, addictive. Had me hooked from page one. Can't wait to read Hidden and Stuffed.
Book Addicted Girl
Miriam tackles some difficult subjects in a sympathetic and age appropriate way.
Tall Tales and Short Stories
Illegal gives a real and valuable insight ino the difficulties many children face, like Lindy, from dysfunctional or chaotic backgrounds or like Karl, who on the surface seems to have it all. 9 year old Sean breaks my heart. I hope that the social worker's intervention and Lindy's support turns his life around. Lindy's parents are, quite rightly, portrayed with compassion and you have shown that with the right support, many families can work through their problems. There have been many challenges in writing this book but they never hold the story back. Well done Miriam, it is definitely a book that everyone should read.
An Adoptive Parent
Launching ILLEGAL : Blackwells, Portsmouth and Camden Waterstones, March 2012
HIDDEN Meadowside fiction, March 2011
"Gripping story..written with clarity and immediacy." The Sunday Times
Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week
Nominated : 2012 CILIP Carnegie Medal.
Shortlisted : 2012 Portsmouth Book Award
Shortlisted : 2012 Essex Book Award
Nominated : 2011 People's Prize
Longlisted : 2011 Southern Schools Book Award
Longlisted : 2011 Hampshire Book Award
HIDDEN on YouTube!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Aqj41fUnL4
Interview on Portsmouth Live TV ( halfway through) here.
Order HIDDEN on Amazon or on The Book Depository
What do I mean by a cycle of books?
Low tide on Hayling Island
A series has the same main character in each book, e.g. Alex Rider.
A trilogy is the same story through three books.
In my cycle a minor character from the previous book becomes the major character in the next. Otherwise they are all stand-alone novels and they can be read in any order. They are all set on Hayling Island, off the south coast of England.
HIDDEN, March 2011
ILLEGAL, March 2012
STUFFED, March 2013
What the reviewers think about HIDDEN.
Miriam Halahmy never puts a foot wrong in this gripping story focusing on an agonisingly difficult contemporary problem. Tautly written throughout, her fine novel deserves the widest audience.
Nick Tucker, reviewer and broadcaster.
The pace of the narrative carries the reader through the .... messages about justice and integrity.
The Observer
Hidden tackles one of the most contentious issues of our time. Everybody under your roof will find something great in this story.
Katie Martin, BBC Radio Solent
A contemporary novel dealing with contemporary issues...very accessible.
Books for Keeps. Starred review.
'There's so much hidden in this little hut, and whatever I've dived into here is only going to get more complicated.'
HIDDEN, Meadowside Fiction, is a brave debut novel tackling the complex issues of immigration and human-rights laws, through the eyes of teenage Alix.
A literary coming-of-age novel dealing with courage, prejudice, judgement, and the difficulty of sorting right from wrong. Challenging, charming, compelling.
HIDDEN is the first in a cycle of three novels set on Hayling Island off the South coast of England, near the Isle of Wight. Each novel is stand alone but a minor character in the previous novel becomes the major character in the next.
ILLEGAL : March 2012 STUFFED : October 2012
Hidden left me feeling inspired and empowered to stand up for the things I believe in...Everyone should read this book...It's invigorating!
The Bookette.
Beautifully written.... a novel about hope.
Armadillo
At a time when British youngsters are increasingly concerned about immigration, it seems very timely to publish a teen adventure about asylum seekers.
Bridget Galton, Ham and High
People grow and learn through this book. It raises all kinds of interesting questions but never loses sight of the fact that what we want to read first and foremost is an interesting story about people we can get to like.
Point this one out to your teachers - they'll thank you for it.
Adele Geras
A brave choice of subject matter.
Tall Tales and Short Stories
The Hayling Island setting is well-evoked and the denouement is inspiring.
Angela Kiverstein, the J.C.
A great story about a very real and current problem.
Bookwitch
Miriam Halahmy has addressed an increasingly common situation about which most teenagers know little and has cast an uncomfortable spotlight.
Mary Hoffman
Alix is a marvellous heroine - an apparently ordinarygirl who turns out to have enormous reserves of courage and strength. A novel which will stretch the minds of readers of any age.
Rosalie Warren
Brilliant! Un-put-downable! I liked the fact it was an Iraqi refugee as we rarely 'see' them. They are not as visible as other groups. Next installment please."
Mary Masaba
Comments from young people about ILLEGAL and HIDDEN.
We recently read Illegal and Hidden and ABSOLOUTLEY ADORED THEM!!
Ella and Orli, 12 years.
Ella and Orli at Alyth
Illegal is a gripping book. I was hooked on each page and could not wait to read on. I think this is Miriam’s best book so far and I would say it is suitable for any age. There was a lot of action and it made my mind think ahead.
Matthew, 17 yrs.
Matthew at Illegal launch
A real page turner ..... amazing plotline. Never a dull moment. As soon I read Illegal I bought Hidden which turned out to be just as good.
The characters in Illegal are really believable. It’s like you are reading a story about your own life. My favourite bit was when Lindy was on Karl’s motorbike with Sean because at this point the book was un- put- downable. There are many other good things about this book but I cannot list them all.
Joseph Helm, 10 years
I very much enjoyed Hidden and it made me think about asylum seekers and refugees. Alix and Samir inspired me very much!
Miriam Summerfield, 13 yrs.
I really enjoyed your book, it made me think about other people in other countries more. Can't wait to read ILLEGAL.
Holly Parkes.
Hidden is a book about a serious issue written in a light and entertaining way but with enough gravity to be a real eye-opener into the world of immigration. It left me thinking way after the last page. A very enjoyable read, I would recommend it to literally anyone.
Yeme Onoabhagbe, 17 yrs.
I very much enjoyed Hidden and if I was you I would sign it for every book in every school so they can remember who wrote the book and how amazing that person is
at writing such an amazing book. I found it so interesting.This is a book review for Hidden.
Lucy Crawford. Portsmouth.
With Lucy at Ports Lit Quiz
I liked this book a lot as it has a very original subject which I hardly knew about. I would recommend it to any friend.
Jess Rodnight, 12 yrs.
Amazing book, I would recommend it to everyone. A real page turner. Go and buy it now.
Jad Faki, 13 yrs
Hidden addresses one of the most current debates in the UK today - immigration and asylum seekers. Miriam addresses this with flare and to top it all its based on our home town - Hayling Island. Miriam Halahmy is truly a magnificent author. She makes you think and think.
Phoebe Ridgway, 14 yrs.
Phoebe, Hayling College.
How did you link an Iraqi young man called Mohammed to a relatively unheard of island called Hayling?
Jordan Shortman,
15 yrs.
Interview for the Hayling Islander.
I am not much of a reader but I read pretty much the whole book in a day....The story was really good!
Ellie, 14 years.
Although I am more into dark and mysterious books I thought that this book gave me an insight into a topic I do not know well. I do know Hayling very well and I was wondering whether this was based on a true story?
Jesse, 14 years
No Jesse, this is not a true story, but there are many true bits to it, as told to me by asylum seekers. I am glad you enjoyed the book.
Miriam Halahmy
Print Version