Woodrow Wilson Nickel\, age 105\, feels hi s life ebbing away. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct\, he fin ds himself recalling the unforgettable experience he cannot take to his gr ave.
\nIt&rsquo\;s 1938. The Great Depression lingers. Hitler is thr eatening Europe\, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the At lantic. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to delive r Southern California&rsquo\;s first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. Behind the wheel is the young Dust Bowl rowdy Woodrow. Inspired by true events\, the tale weaves real-life figures with fictional ones\, including the wor ld&rsquo\;s first female zoo director\, a crusty old man with a past\, a y oung female photographer with a secret\, and assorted reprobates as spotty as the giraffes.
\nPart adventure\, part historical saga\, and part coming-of-age love story\, \;West with Giraffes \;explores what i t means to be changed by the grace of animals\, the kindness of strangers\ , the passing of time\, and a story told before it&rsquo\;s too late.
\ nhttps://calvertlibrary.libnet.info/event/10099577 URL;VALUE=URI:https://calvertlibrary.libnet.info/event/10099577 ATTACH:https://static.libnet.info/images/events/calvertlibrary/WestWithGir affes.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR