Grab your pick axe and your canary cage - it's time to mine for coal in the Victorian pits!

As a British man living in a coal-mining village during the Victorian era, you're forced to endure the dangers, difficulties and despair of working underground in the 1800s. It's gruelling work, with long hours, unpredictable equipment and terrifying conditions. Discover how to get through a day in the pits with a succession of handy hints, such as not forgetting your canary bird and singing mining ballads to keep your spirits high. You'll soon learn that you really wouldn't want to be a Victorian miner!

The ever-popular 'You Wouldn't Want to Be' series transports readers to some of the grisliest times and places in history, perfect for reluctant readers! The humorous, first-person narrative approach places children directly in the shoes of some of history's most unfortunate people ever to have lived, great for engaging students with the history curriculum and encouraging further non-fiction reading.

John Malam is a British author of children's non-fiction books. He attended the University of Birmingham where he received a degree in Ancient History and Archaeology. He is a Reading Champion for the UK's National Literacy Trust, and a frequent visitor to schools. He lives in Cheshire, north-west England.