Just So Stories

UQP

March 2025

9780702268878

RRPP: $16.99

I know I’m repeating myself, but I preface this again with the fact that I’ve never been a huge fan of verse novels. But I can tell you, we have some amazing creators who are changing my mind about that.

This debut title from Sandy Bigna is hands-down one of the most glorious, profound and moving I’ve read for a while. For me, it had the most beautiful echoes of the work of one of my all-time favourite writers, David Almond, [think Skellig and Puppet], especially in the skilful way Sandy Bigna uses her chosen format to express the emotional journey of Bones.

Bones’ nickname arose from the bully at school, but Bones has taken it on, and wears it with pride now. Since the tragedy, she has distanced herself from former friends (in fact, former friend Aiko has distanced herself and aligned with the bully), doesn’t want to make new ones and has absorbed herself with her collection: bones, skeletons, dead things and drawing the same.

She misses her mum who is dealing with her own grief by working away in the mines, while Bones stay safe and embraced in love with Nonna Frankie. Theirs may be public housing – and disdained by the bully and others – but Bones knows that where they live is a good place, with good neighbours.

When the exuberant Tenny, and their artist mum, Flick move in, Bones suddenly finds herself constantly being surprised, almost ambushed, by dumpster-diving Tenny. A tentative friendship begins to take root.

When Bones finds a perfect skeleton of a baby bird she is thrilled. But when she wakes and wishes during the full moon, and accidentally re-animates the little bird, it’s the start of something surreal and magical.

Ultimately, the quest to reverse the curse, with the help of Tenny, becomes Bones’ path to healing enough to rejoin life. It is difficult to explain just how tender and engaging this is, but I can assure you, that for me to eat it up so quickly means that it is one fabulous read.

I was moved by its mystical beauty and the acuity of Sandy’s writing. Told in three parts, aptly titled: Endoskeleton, Hydrostatic Skeleton and Exoskeleton [look up their definitions – brilliant!] each section of verse is sub-titled as well, leading the reader along the arc of both the narrative and Bones’ emotional growth.

It is, quite simply, an astonishing debut, and I foresee much future success for this author. Along with that, I have to say – look at that cover art! Kudos to Tamlyn Teow and Madeline Byrne of UQP for such a sensational design triumph – an utterly perfect fit.

This would make a super serial read-aloud for your kiddos from around Year 4 upwards, there are teaching notes should you choose to unpack it further and I would highly recommend it to you for any readers of that age as a beautiful gift also. It’s a 5 🌝🐦🌝🐦💗rating.