Little Bones

A grieving girl stumbles into a magical dilemma that may just set her on the path to healing in this exquisite debut novel in verse about loss, friendship, and the power of imagination to help us find our way.

Since the death of her younger brother, eleven-year-old Bones has spent most of her time drawing animal skeletons and foraging for dead things to add to her collection. She's drifted away from her friends and doesn't want to make new ones--not even with the sociable non-binary kid, Tenny, who's moved in next door.

One night, under the light and magic of the full moon, Bones inadvertently brings a baby bird skeleton back to life. The creature doesn't like its new state of being, so Bones must work out how to reverse her accidental curse.

But over time, Bones grows attached to her skeleton friend and has to decide whether she can let the baby bird go even though she doesn't want to say goodbye.

Author: Sandy Bigna
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published: 04/07/2026
Pages: 256
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.55lbs
Size: 7.00h x 5.10w x 1.30d
ISBN: 9781665985086
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 03/01/2026
Kirkus Reviews 03/01/2026
School Library Journal 01/30/2026 pg. 1
Booklist 04/01/2026

About the Author
Sandy Bigna is a writer of children's stories, a former children's librarian, and a mum of three from Canberra, Australia. She is also a passionate advocate for children's books and literacy and reviews kid's books on her social media accounts (most frequently on Instagram @Aussie_Kids_Books). Her writing has been shortlisted for awards and published in anthologies. Her debut book is Little Bones, a novel in verse for middle grade readers.