What is Charlie, Tam and the Singing Canary about?
Charlie and her mum move to the small NZ town of Coalburn. Her mum loves to study cemeteries and they have moved in right next door to Coalburn’s graveyard.
A new friend is made in local, Tam and Charlie joins the local rugby team. While exploring the graveyard, Charlie finds a headstone that might interest her mum and with Tam’s help they investigate its owner.
Charlie and Tam discover an intriguing mystery and a heart breaking connection between them.
Plot summary of Charlie, Tam and the Singing Canary (No Spoilers)
There is a new girl at Tam’s school named Charlie. Tam and Charlie hit it off right away, sharing their family dynamics and a love of words. Tam is intrigued in Charlie’s life of moving around with her mum, following her need and interest in researching headstones in cemeteries around the country.
They get to know each other’s family dynamics and history, but there are things Tam wants to know about her own family, but has always been to afraid to ask. When Charlie asks Tam to help investigate a headstone in the local graveyard, Tam is keen to help.
Their investigation leads to family members on both sides revealing truths long held close, and the mystery of the gravestone finally brought to light.
Review
This middle-grade novel was so easy to immerse myself in, that I read it in one sitting.
Set in a small NZ rural town in the South Island of New Zealand, it has a slice of everything that makes a great read – A new kid in town, a mystery, a ghost and family secrets. Stir in a little rugby, a love of words and intriguing friendship and family dynamics, and it is a real-life tale with a touch of supernatural.
An authentic, captivating kiwi read. Kids are going to love it.
Book Style
217 Pages / 51 Chapters
3 Parts – Coalburn / The Kissing Kauri / The Singing Canary
FAQ’s
What age is it for?
9+
Where & When is it set?
A fictional town called Coalburn – a small town on the West Coast of New Zealand
What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?
Omniscient / Present tense
Is there Violence?
No
What genre is Charlie, Tam and the Singing Canary?
Middle Grade Mystery
Themes
Mystery / Friendship / Family / Secret / Ghost
Is it part of a series?
No
Read a sample here
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Author
Bill Nagelkerke
Publisher
Copy Press New Zealand
(2026, Copy Press, Aotearoa New Zealand, West Coast, South Island, Otago, Ghost, Cemetery, Graveyards, Headstone Art, New girl at school, Family, Secrets, Friendship, Grandmother, Tramping, Rugby, Old fashioned Words, Old fashioned Phrases)