In West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge, 17-year-old Woodrow Wilson Nickel drives two giraffes cross-country in 1938, overcoming various challenges and forming a bond with the animals, as well as the people he meets, including Riley Jones and journalist Augusta “Red” Lowe. The journey becomes a deeply transformative experience, highlighting the themes of resilience, hope, love, and the importance of storytelling. The novel contains themes of trauma, racism, and animal abuse.

West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge is widely praised for its engaging historical setting and vivid storytelling. Reviewers appreciate the heartfelt journey and well-developed characters, though some note that the pacing can be slow at times. Overall, the novel captures the spirit of adventure and resilience, making it a poignant read despite occasional narrative lulls.

Readers who enjoy historical fiction with rich storytelling and animal-centric adventures, reminiscent of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath and Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants, will relish Lynda Rutledge's West with Giraffes. It blends historical realities with a heartwarming journey, appealing to fans of road stories and Americana.

Adventurous / Heartwarming / Nostalgic / Inspirational

- West with Giraffes is inspired by the true story of two giraffes who survive a hurricane while en route to the United States in 1938, and their subsequent cross-country journey to the San Diego Zoo.
- The novel highlights an interesting slice of history during the Great Depression, shedding light on era-specific challenges and the public fascination with exotic animals during that time.
- Lynda Rutledge, the author, intertwines historical fact and fiction to craft this narrative, drawing upon real events and artistic imagination to explore themes of survival and animal-human connections.

**Woodrow Wilson Nickel**  
The central protagonist and narrator of the novel *Woodrow Wilson Nickel*. A traumatized young man who seeks a new life for himself, Woodrow is resilient, hardworking, and loving. He has a deep connection to animals, particularly the giraffes, and is generous in his sacrifices for his makeshift family.

**Riley Jones**  
A pivotal secondary character who serves as a mentor, father figure, and moral guide for Woodrow in *Woodrow Wilson Nickel*. Riley is kind, generous, committed to animal welfare, and forgiving, offering guidance during Woodrow's journey across America.

**Augusta “Red” Lowe**  
Known as "Red" in the novel *Woodrow Wilson Nickel*, she is a young woman determined to pursue her dreams of traveling and becoming a photojournalist. Red challenges feminine stereotypes of her era by traveling independently and is Woodrow's love interest.

Lynda Rutledge

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Prologue-Chapter 5

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Chapters 6-10

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Chapter 11-Epilogue

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After Reading

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