Here's a great new organization working to save giraffes from extinction. Lake Union. You need to read it yourself! Sorry. It started with a stack of yellowed newsclippings, a very old map, and a white board to fill up. January 19, 2023 . This is the All Book'd Book Club pick for January! (It can be read with the Kindle app on any device. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling the . Prior to becoming head keeper at the San Diego Zoo, he had been with the circus since he was eleven years old, including sixteen-year gig as the lead keeper of the Ringling Bros. circus. Yeah, crazy, right? They experience the kindness of strangers when a poor black man named Moses enlists his entire family to remove the truck from under the bridge. Is there any talk of turning this into a movie? . 1st ed. This Study Guide consists of approximately 43pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - Sherr, Lynn. But I would call this book a historical adventure with several parts that will keep your heart racing. Recently, one particular work of historical fiction captured my interestthe fact that the title contained the word giraffes certainly helped, but upon reading the description I discovered that its based on actual events revolving around the San Diego Zoo in 1938. She also had a vocabulary that she kept in reserve that the [former] circus men could understand. The keepers came to call her Boss. She let them know that she admired their work, and responded to her with both respect and affection. West With Giraffes study guide contains a biography of Lynda Rutledge, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Perhaps you will fall in love with those giraffes and enjoy the adventures of Old Man and Woody as much as I did. Lynda Rutledge's West With Giraffes is written in the first person point of view, and utilizes both past and present tenses. "This is the kind of story that, when well-told, can change one's perspective on the world""Heartbreakingly beautiful""Simply magic""Lynda Rutledge has written a one in a million book""The depth of feeling that went into the writing of this wonderful book exudes from every page""This book is so good it gives me shivers""A modern masterpiece", -some of Lynda's favorite reader responses, An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story. Unbeknownst to him, she is a married woman and is being pursued by the police for stealing her husbands car and crossing state lines without a male chauffeur. As I looked for more historical information, I found your page. Many zoos simply werent willing to take the risk or didnt have the funds. An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America. Schroeder was a former zoo veterinarian at the San Diego Zoo and would later become the zoos director after Benchley retired in 1953. Guest Reviewer Rating: Four out of Five Stars. Thank you. To Woodys astonishment, the Old Man forgives him and allows him to stay on as the driver. Giraffes grow about 4 feet (1.2 meters) in their first year of life. But by 1925 there were reportedly only five giraffes in the entire country. } Sweet memories. in death funeral tammy faye bakker. He grabs a rabbit and drops it onto the cage of the tiger, who eats it right away. And unlike the typical Broadway musical of the 1950s and before, West Side Story does not offer audiences a happy ending. He realizes that he must tell his story for the sake of the animals he loved so much, and so that Reds daughter Augie Ann will know her mothers true story. West with Giraffes. A giraffe's super muscular heart is two feet long and weighs about 25 pounds. Woodrow Wilson Nickel is a 17 year old orphan boy who is forced to leave his home after his familys tragic death during the Dust Bowl. Until, one day, I finally began to write: A few of the THOUSANDS of reader reviews: "It's not often I have to sit in silence and recover when I finish a book, but I needed to after this one. Behind the wheel is the young Dust Bowl rowdy Woodrow. .pf-button-img { I read through the books for that month and just could't decide honestly, NONE of them looked good to me. Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. The accomplishment topped off what turned out to be a very successful year for the zoo. Two giraffes miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic and end up in New York. West with Giraffes Summary. One of the aspects of the novel I enjoyed the most was the depiction of Belle Benchleysweet but tough, and highly respected. (272 kilograms). Notice that it is very different from the only image online (seen with Zoo Historian's book review BELOW), showing the wobbly, patched hurricane-whipped crates being moved off the ship by the empty truck before the real-life traveling rig itself was fashioned while they were in quarantine. But when she was angry she made Mount Vesuvius seem considerably less dangerous. What motivates you to action? . Charley Smith would update Benchley via telegram during the twelve-day trek. As a reader I felt as if I were sitting with Woody, the Old Man, Red, Wild Girl and Wild Boy as they traveled west, feeling the giraffes snuffling, hearing their thrumming, watching them reach out for an onion. "Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes". Of course, I knew your zoo history background already, so I was delighted to see your additions to this beautiful story. It just hurts so much, animals are so innocent! -moz-box-shadow: none; The game plays on that feeling a lot, with the fact that humanity now has to adapt to this new infection and do things that they didn't do before to survive. outline:none; ship I am getting all chocked up and tearing ..I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH ! In 1938, there was a terrible hurricane that caused massive destruction to New York. I see a message that, "This form can only be viewed by users in the owner's organization.". 2016. "Woodrow Wilson Nickel died in the year 2025, on a usual day, in the unusual way, at the rather unusual age of 105. justify-content: center; Tall Blondes: A Book about Giraffes. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. There are many photos online of this time in history, below are just a few. At one point in the novel, Old Man stops at the zoo in Little Rock, Arkansas, for the night to procure some medication for Girls wounded leg. I especially think that teen boys would really like it. After examination and treatment, Schroeder deemed the giraffe worth saving and cleared her to make the trip. He plots to try to follow the giraffes to California, which proves more difficult than he hoped. vertical-align: middle; img.pf-button-img + .pf-button-text { /* If html does not have either class, do not show lazy loaded images. What about animals pulls at your heart-strings? I absolutely loved this book. .printfriendly { San Diego Zoo. The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Rutledge, Lynda. Because I loved this book so much, I bought a paperback copy to give to my dad, and I'd also like to buy a Kindle copy to give away to one of you! As the truck finally reached the San Diego Zoo entrance on October 17, 1938, the nearly unthinkable had been accomplished. I enjoyed West with Giraffes too, and your review was a delight -- remembering the book once again. As a reader I felt as if I were sitting with Woody, the Old Man, Red, Wild Girl and Wild Boy as they traveled west, feeling the giraffes snuffling, hearing their thrumming, watching them reach out for an onion. While visiting his parents home, the flash flood threatens to topple the giraffe rig and kill Woody and the Old Man. Kindle Edition. But this book is VERY adventurous and kept me on my toes the entire time. What happens thenwhat is the actual meat of the matter, as it wereis a cross-country trip via what amounted to little more than a tricked-out pickup truck from New Jersey to the San Diego Zoo. Traveling shows displayed them as early as 1837; however, they were difficult to capture and transport, making them expensive to procure. Memoirs. I remembered that I had gotten a book recently from Amazon's First Reads about an elephant or giraffe or something. In the novel, Woody is able to stop chasing the truck as, after much begging and pleading, he is offered the driving job by Old Man after a falling out with Earl. It is clear from Belle Benchleys memoir that she had a wonderful relationship with many of her keepers, particularly Charley Smith. west with giraffes ending explainedhot wheels mystery car code list west with giraffes ending explained. How do you feel about zoos? 1. San Diego, CA: Zoological Society of San Diego. They gained an evolutionary trait so they could survive. A giraffe's neck alone is 6 feet (1.8 meters) long and weighs about 600 lbs. tells a story looking back at his youth of when he talked his way into helping drive a couple Giraffes from the East Coast to San Diego, California. That is when he locks eyes with the giraffes (Boy and Girl). Lets face it, the backstory leading to that appointment with Mother Nature at her most furious would almost certainlybeyond any doubthave to be a pretty great tale to tell. He is full of talk and wit and fun when he is around, but when away he makes me wait for news day after day until I am nearly mad from worrying. Orphaned during the Dust Bowl, he found his way to New York to work for a distant cousin. He has no money, no possessions, and no real direction for his life. That the animals survived at all was, as the headline rather politely insists, miraculous. } Virginia Beach: The Donning Company. They were to be the zoos first giraffes, and the city was excited about the impending arrivals. West With Giraffes, while an historical novel, reads as a beautiful memoir of one brief and eventful journey. Red was an aspiring photojournalist trying to sell her giraffe story to Life magazine. San Diego, CA: Zoological Society of San Diego. The San Diego Zoo: The First Century. Release : 2021-02. Looks like a granny, dresses like a schoolmarm, swears like a sailor, and still charms snooty zoo galoots with their fancy educations. Rutledge even includes reference to Benchleys encounter with an escaped baboon. Later down the road, a circus ringmaster named Percival Bowles bribes Woody with money, and convinces him to open the giraffe crate. display: inline; . } An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America. It's 1938. She had red curls all over her head, a fiery halo of raging waves she surely battled into submission every morning, and she was wearing trousersthe first woman Id ever seen doing so in real life. Just when Woody thought this crazy girl had stopped following them, the green Packard would come roaring into view. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. When, finally, I can bear the silence no longer, I let him know that I must have news. Part adventure, part historical saga, and part coming-of-age love story, West with Giraffes explores what it means to be changed by the grace of animals, the kindness of strangers, the passing of time, and a story told before it's too late. .printfriendly a, .printfriendly a:link, .printfriendly a:visited, .printfriendly a:hover, .printfriendly a:active { In 1938, the Great Depression is not yet a memory in the United States, and Hitler is becoming a major threat in Europe. This was on his retirement day. giraffe, (genus Giraffa), any of four species in the genus Giraffa of long-necked cud-chewing hoofed mammals of Africa, with long legs and a coat pattern of irregular brown patches on a light background. The Lee Highway ran from New York City to San Diego. What a delightful story! It pumps 16 gallons a minute. she was such a sweet grandmotherly type. Woodrow Wilson Nickel aka Woody: 105 year-old man in 2025 writing about his experiences driving the two giraffes westMr. Theyve seen the world. Upon hearing that the giraffes were bound for San Diego, Woody became determined to follow them to the land of milk and honey and begin a new life. Stephenson, Lynda Rutledge. */ I would recommend this book to pretty much anyone--from about 12 years old and up, whether you're an "animal person" or not, or interested in history or not. Images of America Series. In Tennessee, Woody and the Old Man get the giraffe rig stuck in a precarious position beneath a low bridge and are unable to get it out by themselves. I finished the book last night and now after reading the background and seeing the pictures of the truck and the I dont know how I was led to this book.Thank you to whomever suggested it. West With Giraffes, while an historical novel, reads as a beautiful memoir of one brief and eventful journey. The Book Report Network 16 Mount Bethel Rd, Suite 365, Warren, NJ 07059 212-246-3100 . You can carry around a heavy load only for so long, though, before youve got to set it down, and that does double if youre only eighteen. page 277, The thing about knowing youre doing something for the last time is that it takes the joy right out of it. page 301. 1947. Giraffesan animal most Americans had never actually see for themselves with their own two eyes at the timehad actually somehow managed to survive a wild ride aboard the SS Robin Goodfellow when it headed straight into a typhoon off the coast of Haiti. They were instant successes, and beloved by staff and visitors alike. 2015. Have you ever dreamed of taking or have you taken a driving trip cross-country? We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make yourown. Did the ending answer all your questions? They were finally able to leave quarantine on October 10, 1938. } Woody displays an unusual gift for working with animals, and the Old Man agrees to keep him on as the driver for the duration of the journey. The Modern Ark: The Story of Zoos: Past, Present and Future. Romance. In this week's Book Bites trailer, Shelly tells us about West With Giraffes by Lynda R. Stephenson. Just the climax alone covering what must have happened aboard that ship to keep that precious cargo alive and spitting screams Hollywood, make this into a movie! Astonishingly, however, the actual story being told by the author is all about what happens after the giraffes have made it safely back to land via New York Harbor. West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge. I recommend reading the book before the guide. What we called highways were barely tolerable for transporting people much less chauffeuring giraffes. Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. I'll stop here, because I don't want to give anything away. He has often bragged, When the Missus gets tired of waiting for me to write she just burns up the wires. -webkit-box-shadow: none; What did you discover in the expanse of your country? Home; About. Thank you for this! .printfriendly.pf-alignleft { "A boy running from his mystery past, two giraffes, a gruff old zoo keeper, a red headed photographer and an adventure so extraordinary it has given me goosebumps", "West with Giraffes, along with Water for Elephants, The Last Bus to Wisdom, News of the World and Where the Crawdads Sing are the kind of books that the reader wants to devour in a dayonly to immediately turn back to the beginning to savor each page.", "This is a book unlike any I have ever readThere is black humor, heartbreak, and hope all balled up into a crazy road trip and a story that spans 100 years that will touch heart and soul", "Read this book. Did you think it was believable or too farfetched? "Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes" Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. Seattle, WA: Lake Union Publishing. In addition to being a love story to giraffes, West with Giraffes is a story of life on the road, and in particular on the road in the United States in 1938. If you want to skip over it, just skip to the horizontal line break. @media print { float: right; She telegraphs WIRE ME TODAY, and you can bet she gets her wire. Knowing that the female giraffe barely survived the hurricane, I can imagine Benchley was quite worried throughout Smiths cross-country trip with the giraffes! He uses a stolen motorcycle to follow the giraffes, and when the Old Mans driver, Earl, suddenly quits his job, Woody propositions him to be the new driver. Amazon First Reads is where you can choose from a short list once a month to get a book for free. https://zoohistories.com/2021/02/11/west-with-giraffes/. Americas First Zoostory: 125 Years at the Philadelphia Zoo. The giraffes Girl and Boy sound great characters.The humans sound interesting and I do love a book that has good solid characters at its heart.Your line "The characters in the . will review the submission and either publish your submission or providefeedback. An editor Two huge broken-up crates are lifted off containing amazing cargo: two Baringo giraffes. THAT'S how good it is! -webkit-box-shadow: none; An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America. 8) How do you think the title, Such a Fun Age, relates to the story? The country had endured a Great Depression, filling the landscape with Hoovervilles and shantytowns, WPA and CCC projects, and migrants searching for a better life. Another indication that Benchley was loved by the zoo staff came after she found herself in the hospital for eleven weeks following an auto accident. But I got caught up in it so quickly that I couldn't stop. After loading the giraffes onto the truck, they headed to the U.S. The crate containing the female giraffe rolled and rolled until it shattered to pieces. 9) This novel touches on important topics such as: race, classic, identityetc. If you have what were the highlights for you? Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. Woody, havent you ever wanted something so bad you had to do it or die trying? page 156. Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. This is the only image available, a newspaper article offering a glimpse of the finished traveling rig, with a tarp over it. Here is the description from the publisher: "An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America. These giraffes, Boy and Girl, win the love and respect of Woody; the Old Man; and Red, a. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling the unforgettable experience he cannot take to his grave. In normal conditions this would be a rough trip, especially for temperature-sensitive giraffes, which were placed in crates and forced to endure whatever the high seas threw at them. The Great Depression lingers. In the novel West with Giraffes, Woody Nickel, is a seventeen-year-old dirt-farm rowdy, pure as a cow pie, cunning as a wild hog bound to escape the Texas Panhandle (and any law enforcement that might be looking for him). Found your piece on the Giraffes through researching the question So, is it true? as our Buddy read group was working its way through West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge. The Old Man reluctantly accepts, but only wants Woody to stay on for the first part of the journey. (Available in Hardback, Paperback, Audio, and Kindle E-Book)CLICK *HERE* to Sample or Buy on AMAZON__________________________. border: none; Inspired by true events, the tale weaves real-life figures with fictional ones, including the worlds first female zoo director, a crusty old man with a past, a young female photographer with a secret, and assorted reprobates as spotty as the giraffes. My sister doesn't want to read it because she's worried about animal cruelty, so I'll write a little about that here. An emotional, rousing novel inspired by the incredible true story of two giraffes who made headlines and won the hearts of Depression-era America. Discussing West with Giraffes? West With Giraffes, Lynda Rutledge "Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes" Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. even Maggie the orangutan. I knew your zoo history background already, so I was delighted see... 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