The Belly of a Wolf

HOW CAN YOU GROW UP WITH GRIEF PULLING YOU DOWN?

Red is going back to high school six months after the death of her best friend Wolf. Their friendship began on the first day of Prep, when they were cast as Little Red and Wolf in the school play; ever after their lives were entwined as two halves of the same story. Red is defined by Wolf in life and in death.

As Red tries to move on with her life, she is forever pulled back by memories of Wolf and her guilt about not knowing Wolf planned to die. Red becomes increasingly self-destructive and questions: can you ever recast who you are in a story?

The Belly of a Wolf is a moving verse novel exploring the devastating impact of youth suicide. Unflinching, emotional and darkly funny.

“Julianne Negri has chewed away at the experience of losing a best friend to suicide until all that remains is the gleaming, honest truth.” Pip Smith

“I loved this book. I devoured it. It sucked me under. I felt what it is to be a grieving, messy teenager.” Nova Weetman

About the Author

Julianne Negri is an award-winning writer and library worker living on the unceded land of the Wurundjeri people. Her debut children’s novel The Secret Library of Hummingbird House was a 2021 CBCA Notable and debut picture book, Almost a Fish, illustrated by Evie Barrow, won the 2024 Speech Pathology Book of the Year award.

With over a decade of experience working in libraries, Julianne is a passionate advocate for children’s literature. She has followed varied creative pursuits as a musician, film maker, television host, eco-crafter and has five children.