It was a riveting newspaper story in 1938. I love a complex story, and W est With Giraffes has a few storylines that keep you turning pages: the transportation of giraffes (Will the giraffes live? What obstacles will they face?) the Dust Bowl (horrendous conditions) coming of age (Woody, a 17-year-old orphan strikes out on his own) the multigenerational friendship between Woody and the older man (father figure) a budding romance and a perilous journey fraught with obstacles and setbacks. I’ve been to the San Diego Zoo many times and I appreciate hearing about the arrival of the first giraffes and the role that the first woman zoo director played in their acquisition. Yep! I liked this compelling story for its unique content and historical interest. Interesting, Fascinating, Unique, and Unputdownable

If you resonate with vibes of News of the World (road trip, two unlikely companions), Water For Elephants (story-telling structure, animal friends), and Out of the Dust (dust bowl experiences), you will find that West With Giraffes is page-turning, heartfelt, and unputdownable. Which is your favorite animal to visit at the zoo? Unlikely companions, endurance, and overcoming obstacles are highlights of the story. Inspired by true events, West With Giraffes recounts the 1938 cross-country twelve-day road trip of two giraffes and one desperate orphan. *This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical Fiction, Animals, 1938 United States, Dust Bowl West With Giraffes is unputdownable historical fiction featuring two giraffes, a desperate orphan, and a cross-country road trip.

West with giraffes by lynda rutledge