I return to historical fiction with a book lent to me by my aunt. West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge tells the story of two giraffes who survived a hurricane in 1938 and were then driven across the U.S. to become the first giraffes at the San Diego Zoo and touch the hearts and lives of all who come in contact with them. I parse out fact from fiction, ponder the quiet tragedy of this book, and explain the appeal of this historical fiction novel.