West with Giraffes

From front to back, this book was SO good! I purchased based on a suggestion from a historical book lover Facebook group. It's inspired by a true story, reads from the soul and inhabits your brain. The language and style used ito tell this story is just consuming; I couldn't put it down and was eager to get back to it when I did. Highly recommended! If you love animals, visual writing and historical fiction- this is your next read!

This really ranks higher than four stars...it's such an engaging, delightful book. Ms.Rutledge intertwines history with a great story that runs the gamut of emotions through frustration, anger, love, and suspense. I went into this basically blind and wish ALL new books surprised me just so. I loved it!

West with Giraffes is an interesting read. It is historical fiction - loosely based on the giraffes that once made a trek across country to be the first giraffes at the young San Diego Zoo. It has characters who have no reason to be together, save for the giraffes, on a long and often dangerous cross-country journey. It is full of emotion and conflict and the hardships of the depression with people who intend to survive the journey and giraffes who aren't really sure about all of this!