This was a FirstReads pick for me ... but I waited until the audio was available on KU too (and getting the KU audio when you own the book is a trick!) Honestly, as this started up, I wasn't sure I was going to like it, or even finish it. The narrator is a very "old man" voice, which is actually okay, as the person telling the story IS an old man (105 to be exact, in the year 2025). Some of it is his present day life/thoughts, as he's trying to record his memories while he can. Then we slip into his memories, when he was 17 years old, during the Depression and Dust Bowl. There are some "newspaper articles" as well. And this WAS based on some true events!
https://zoohistories.com/2021/02/11/west-with-giraffes/

One of the things that turned me off early on was the word "goober" ... I'm not sure why, it just bugged me! But I soon became involved in the story, with Woody, and the old man, and Red, and of course Girl and Boy. There were a couple of times I was on the verge of tears.

I liked the historical aspect ... I always learn more from a historical novel than I do straight study (not that I do much study, BUT I have been working with my high schooler on his history as classes moved online, and we just went over the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl and such). I don't think ANYTHING had been mentioned about the static electricity created by the dust (I've also been doing Physics with my son, so that was of interest as well). Crazy! I had to come to the computer and look up more on that. Then of course I had to look up what was true about the giraffe's journey - loved that there was a real picture (probably NOT taken by Red, but ...)

This brought the time period to life for me, making it very memorable. I think I learned a little about giraffes too. I will think back on this story very fondly!