Sandy Bigna’s poetic children’s story of overcoming grief claims ACT’s Book of the Year

Key points

• Canberra author Sandy Bigna has won the 2026 ACT Book of the Year for her young adult novel Little Bones, beating seven other shortlisted books. The 256-page verse novel follows 11-year-old Bones, who is grieving her brother's death, and her close friendship with a bird she brings back to life with a wish.
• Judges praised the book's tender, poetic storytelling and its exploration of grief, friendship and healing.
• Ms Bigna said she wrote in verse to build an emotional bond with readers.