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Aug 30, 2024 · We share all our best tips and tricks for running a book club discussion here, including how to prepare, how to structure and facilitate the discussion, and how to deal with some common meeting and discussion challenges.
These book club questions should provide a solid foundation for lively discussions about “West with Giraffes.” Remember to respect everyone’s opinions and encourage open-mindedness as you explore the various themes and messages presented in this captivating novel.
Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers! In your view, who do you think is the real protagonist of the story? Woody went through a lot of injustices early in his life, how do you think his childhood shaped him into the person he became?
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- Lynda Rutledge
- Woody was looking for a way to get to California when he found out the giraffes needed a driver. Having already escaped the West (the Texas panhandle) and the Dust Bowl, what do you think Woody expected to find in California?
- Red is the young reporter who follows the giraffe truck across the country. She is married to a much older man, and Woody is just beginning his life, although they are close in age.
- Red has a bucket list, including famous people she’d like to meet before she dies. Do you have a list like that? If you do (or if you were to write one), who would be on your list?
- The Old Man, who is driving the truck with Woody, is a complicated character. What do you think he and Woody learned from each other?
- In “West with Giraffes,” Woodrow undergoes significant character development, transitioning from a young man freshly arrived from the Dust Bowl to an individual who has experienced love, guilt, loss, and redemption.
- The relationship between humans and animals is a central theme in the novel. Woodrow’s profound bond with the giraffes and his commitment to their well-being highlight animals as beings deserving of human compassion and protection.
- As Woodrow and Riley traverse the American landscape of 1938, they encounter significant social and political challenges of the era, such as oppressive racism and the dominance of big financial players like Percival.
- Red’s character provides a significant commentary on the expectations and roles of women in her era. Though society expected her to remain domestic and tied to familial roles, she dared to dream bigger, aspiring to be an influential photojournalist.
Discussion Questions West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge 1. Woody went through a lot of injustices early in his life, how do you think his childhood shaped him into the person he became? 2. We know this is based on a true story, do you think there was a good balance between historical fact and fiction throughout the read? 3.
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?
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