1. The author describes being inspired to write this novel after learning about the historical journey of the giraffes coming to the San Diego Zoo. What makes this story compelling 80 years after the event occurred?

2. Woody was looking for a way to get to California when he found out the giraffes needed a driver. Having escaped the Dust Bowl and other difficult circumstances, what do you think Woody expected to find in California?

3. How are Red and Woody similar? How are they different? Do you believe they could have built a relationship together under different circumstances?

4. Discuss Woodrow’s instant connection with the giraffes. What do they represent symbolically and emotionally for him? What surprising facts or details about giraffes stood out for you? What did you learn?

5.  One of the real-life characters in the story, Belle Benchley, was the director of the San Diego Zoo. Although she ran the zoo for years, her title remained “Secretary” due to sexist ideas about what jobs women could do. Were you surprised to read that the (male) zookeepers loved her?

6. Track the evolution of Woodrow's perspective on race, discrimination, and segregation over the course of his travels. What were the most poignant moments that challenged his views?

7. What do you make of Red's adventurous spirit and her "bucket list" aspirations? How were her dreams constrained by the time she lived in?

8. 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?

9. Zoos are controversial for their methods of keeping animals caged—but praised for preserving endangered species. How do you feel about their purpose? In the 1930s was a zoo a better environment for animals than a circus?

10. The book is based on a true story and includes newspaper clippings taken from real newspapers. Did this add to the authenticity of the story? Would the story be believable without the clippings?

11. The story is told through a journal Woody writes addressed to a “You” who is not identified until the end of the book. Did that person’s identity surprise you? Who else do you think it could be written to?