Miriam Halahmy
The spade
All history has leant upon the spade
and dug fence holes to keep the rabble out.
Not much has changed. The prehistoric blade
has rung like bells before the workman’s trade
shovelled sand and mapped the Somme’s dugouts.
All history has leant upon the spade.
And when the mines swallowed whole brigades
the women dug like navvies through the blackout.
Not much has changed. The prehistoric blade
put food upon the table, carved out fields and laid
down tombstones. Then the gravedigger stood about.
All history has leant upon the spade.
And when our cities buckled under air raids
we pulled together, dug the children out.
Not much has changed. The prehistoric blade
has been the tool that started each stockade
dug deep for land and blood, fought stinking drought.
All history has leant upon the spade.
Not much has changed the prehistoric blade.
© Miriam Halahmy
Stone circle, Orkney
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