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70 pages 2 hours read

West with Giraffes

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2021

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Book Brief

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Lynda Rutledge

West with Giraffes

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2021
Book Details
Pages

371

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

United States • 1930s

Publication Year

2021

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

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.

Adventurous

Heartwarming

Nostalgic

Inspirational

Reviews & Readership

4.5

248,401 ratings

89%

Loved it

9%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

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.

Who should read this

Who Should Read West with Giraffes?

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.

4.5

248,401 ratings

89%

Loved it

9%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

371

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

United States • 1930s

Publication Year

2021

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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