West with Giraffes

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• How does the literal journey that Woodrow is on, transporting giraffes across 1938 America, affect your connection with Woodrow’s metaphorical coming-of-age journey? 
• How do the characters that Woodrow meets along the way help to shape his growth and development? Were there any characters that stood out as particularly impactful, either positively or negatively?
• West with Giraffes is a historical novel. Consider how it is similar to other historical novels you’ve read. How does it differ? How does it fit within the genre, and how does it subvert or push back against it? How do the choices author Lynda Rutledge makes affect the emotional impact and thematic meaning of the novel?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• How does the book’s thematic message of hope and resilience resonate with you? Are there times in your life when you’ve faced challenges like Woodrow’s? What did you find in Woodrow’s experience that reflects your own personal experience?
• Woodrow’s bond with animals is an important component of his journey and the novel. Do you feel a similar connection with animals? If not, what do you connect with on this same level?
• Memory plays an important role in the story, and Woodrow keeps memory alive through storytelling. How does this message about the importance of memory and storytelling reflect your own personal experience? Do you consider yourself a storyteller? How do you keep memories alive?
• Did you connect with Woodrow’s perseverance in the face of adversity? What are some moments in your own life that required perseverance like Woodrow’s? Woodrow learned about himself and grew as a result of this adversity. How has adversity contributed to your own growth and change? 

3. Societal and Cultural Context

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• How did the novel’s setting of 1930s Dust Bowl contribute to the meaning of the novel? Did the novel and its characters give you a new understanding of this period in American history?
• Discuss the novel’s exploration of animal treatment and rights during the 1930s in the United States. How has society’s perspective on animal rights changed since that time? How do these differences manifest in the roles animals play in US society today, in zoos and circuses, and even as pets?
• Throughout US history, travel has been an important component of American culture, and Woodrow’s journey takes him across America at a time when many families were making the same journey. In what other ways do you see travel reflected in the culture of the US, both in history and in the present time?

4. Literary Analysis

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• How do the giraffes that Woodrow transports amplify the thematic meaning of the novel? What might the giraffes symbolize? How do their characteristics and traits contribute to Woodrow’s journey? How might the story be different if it were a different animal?
• Consider the role of Percival’s Circus in the novel. What is Percival’s purpose in the narrative? How does his antagonistic presence contribute to both the plot and the thematic messages of the novel?
• How does Rutledge’s style and language bring the 1930s Dust Bowl to life? What are some specific descriptions or images that worked especially well to evoke the culture and society of that time and place?
• Trace Woodrow’s growth and development over the course of the novel. How does he move forward, and what setbacks does he experience? What does Woodrow learn about himself as a result of the journey? How is Woodrow at the end of the journey different from Woodrow at the beginning?
• Consider Red’s role in the novel. What important societal issues does her character raise? How does she figure into Woodrow’s story? What messages is Rutledge trying to communicate through the character?

5. Creative Engagement

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• Consider how Woodrow’s journey might be different if it was taken in 1830, 1890, or 1960. How would his journey be different? What would remain the same, regardless of time period?
• Imagine you are a journalist during Woodrow’s time who is writing an article about his journey. What events would you highlight? What would the headline be? How would you represent Woodrow?

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