Way Down Deep

Way Down Deep #1

by Ruth White

Although Ruby seemed to just appear out of thin air on the steps of the courthouse on the first day of summer in 1944, no one in Way Down Deep, West Virginia, ever worried too much about where the toddler came from. They figured that if Ruby's people were dumb enough to lose something as valuable as a child, then that was their problem. So even though Ruby can't help but wonder where she came from, she has led a joyful and carefree life in Way Down Deep, loved and watched over by Miss Arbutus – proprietor of The Roost, the local boardinghouse – the residents of The Roost, and the rest of the town. But when Ruby is twelve, a new family moves to Way Down Deep, and they inadvertently provide enough clues about Ruby's past that she is able to find her own people. Ruby travels from Way Down Deep to the top of Yonder Mountain to learn who she really is – only to find that she is bound to Way Down Deep by something even stronger than family love.

With a touch of fairy-tale magic and a lot of heart, Ruth White explores just what it is that makes a place truly home.

Way Down Deep is a 2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Genres: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Mystery, Juvenile, Childrens, Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 2007

About the author

I was born in the Appalachian hills of Virginia, which is the setting for Belle Prater's Boy and The Search for Belle Prater. I lived there until I graduated from high school and went away to college. Though I left the hills, they never left me. My memories of those years are quite vivid. I have always referred to that time as both traumatic and wonderful. I get most of my ideas for my stories from those memories of my childhood home, the small coal-mining town of Grundy, Virginia.

I started writing at a very young age. I remember trying to write stories before I was even able to put long sentences together. It was just something I felt compelled to do, probably because I loved stories so much. We had no television because my family was very poor; my mother was raising my three sisters and me with very little money. So we read aloud and enjoyed each other’s company.

Eventually I became a teacher and then a school librarian. Working in the public schools among adolescents fueled my desire to write, and I suppose the age group I worked with helped me determine that I wanted to write for them instead of for adults or smaller children. I wrote my first book, The City Rose, based on an experience that happened when I taught seventh and eighth grade in Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina. The schools had recently been integrated, and I had two black girls in one of my classes. I noticed that whenever we went to the library, they didn’t check out any books. Finally, they told me that it was because they couldn’t find any books about black children. So I decided to write one.

For Belle Prater's Boy, my inspiration came from Grundy, like it has so many times. When I was small I used to ride through the nicest residential area there and look at the pretty houses and manicured lawns. I thought these were wealthy people who had ideal lives. Only in later years did I realize that the people living in those houses were quite average, living the way most Americans live. They had their own particular problems, which I could not even imagine. So I decided to set a novel there. First, I created Gypsy, the city mouse, who lived in one of those pretty houses, and Woodrow, the country mouse, who was from the sticks. Then I asked them to tell me their story.

I didn’t plan to write a sequel to Belle Prater's Boy. I thought Woodrow's theory about what happened to his mother would be enough for the reader, but it obviously was not. I had many letters from readers wanting to know what happened to Belle, and asking me to write a sequel. Actually, I did the first draft of the sequel in the late nineties. After many revisions, I created The Search for Belle Prater.

When I'm not writing, I like to walk in the park with my golden retriever, listen to books on tape, and watch movies. Away from home, I like to visit schools and talk to young people about books and writing. My daughter usually travels with me, and we have a great time together.

Reviews

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed everything I've read by Ruth White, but this book was the kind you just want to step into and live in. The community White has created is so warm and charming, full of quirky but good people. I would love to find a place in which I fit in so perfectly. It's probably not a coincidence that there are some truly fantastical elements to the story!

I have to applaud White for the lack of actual profanity in the novel, although there is one little kid in the story who has a "potty mouth." However she just either notes that he has cursed or does that #$!*% thing that you see in comic strips. You get the point without having to be subjected to a lot of objectionable language.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the time period of the story and the atmosphere of the setting but the actual story wasn't very interesting. I just didn't ever completely relate to the main character and while I wanted to be drawn in to the story, it never quite got me. I wanted to like this more but just couldn't totally get in to it.

[Linda Spear · Rating 4 out of 5]

West Virginia/Virginia mountains, a sweet small town, eccentric and loving characters, with a bit of magical realism tossed in. What's not to like? Thank you, Ruth White, for yet another lovely story. And who knew that Ruby's birthday would turn out to be October 2? Mine, too....I knew I liked her for a reason other than her red hair.

[Lunatica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Way Down Deep

Read: 27 Aug, 2025

Written by Ruth White Rating: 4/5

Love a good fiction because I truly believe a fiction truly heals what non-fiction cannot.

The book is sweet, short & I have read it in 4 sittings even with my neurodivergent brain and 9-5 that is essentially 10-10. Well, NGL, I stayed up till 1 AM to finish it. I loved the story, character arc and build & love the childhood whimsy that coming-of-age usually lack these days (talk about all the -ism) I did not really like that everything worked out for everyone in a way but hey! It’s for the kids anyway 🙂

Some favourite moments I really loved through the book:

The adorable cover & whimsical art at the front & the map

The conversations like “sad people needing more sleep; people work out problems in dreams and go-to a place where they meet God” introduces emotional maturity to children & well- me too. Similar one wrt anger “It does no good to swallow your feelings. They continue to plague you in offensive ways”. Won’t lie, even as an adult, its good to hear that once in a while

The moment Mrs. Thornton Elkins says, “It’s nice for her to know who she is” and the scene builds to herself naming her back. BAM!!! I’m a fan of the writing style.

Recommended/Rejected: Recommended for sweet, short and sensitive read that makes you dream of your childhood and heals you in the process

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know you really like a book when you start searching for the next book in the series while you are still reading the first one. That's how it was for me with Way Down Deep. It's entertaining, the characters are interesting and there's that bit of mystery to it. I guess it was deemed youth fiction because the main character is just turning 13, but I'd have no reservations recommending this to an adult. I'm looking forward to book #2--if my library can nab me a copy through our inter-library loan. *fingers crossed*

[Mahi]

I barely remember anything about this book other than that a panther was involved. And I never want to read it again because I ADORED this book when I was in elementary and I don’t want that to change.

[Mamiko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been reading as many books by Ruth White as possible, and this was one of my least favorite - nothing wrong with this story, and it has some charming characters in it. I think she meant to make this a lighter-hearted story than she normally writes.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read - will for sure be tracking down more by this author!

[Tali · Rating 1 out of 5]

One Star.

[Rosie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Elisa M · Rating 2 out of 5]

This way just not my book. When I read a review describing it as a tall tale, that did make me like it a bit more....But.

[Sunny Kim]

I liked this book. It was interseting about how that I found out that she was from a other place. I also liked the grandma. IT was a fun book.

[Tanibunny]

Dnf too boring

[Pam Bierbaum · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a bit slow and a very typical ending.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story

[Haleema Ansar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like it

[Kyla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read filled with passion and humor. Characters range from eccentric to practical yet the book has a compelling message about family love and devotion. The ending was perfect!

[Jace L · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the sequel first before reading this and I liked the sequel more.

[Jordan Grieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story and easy to read and get into. The story was fun and it was easy to just suspend disbelief and enjoy the story.

[rhonda granquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great middle reader. Ruby June, a toddler was found on the courthouse in the town Way Down Deep, located in a holler in West Virginia. No one Knew who she was and she couldn't talk being only about 2 or 3. Miss Arbutus said she would take Ruby in, and she did. They were very happy together, in fact Miss Arbutus was very happy having no other family. The characters in this story are delightful. I'll just share a few if them. Of course you have Miss Arbutus, Ruby June, Granny Butler, who raises bees , Jethro, Ruby's pet goat, Bob Reeder, a would be bank robber and his kids, Peter, Cedar, Jeeter and Skeeter, twins and Rita Reeder. Mrs. Rife, a 90 year old woman who throws rocks at creepy kids. There are a lot more characters who makes this book great.
When Ruby turns 12, or so she thinks she's 12 not having any documentation, her life takes a turn for something unexpected.

[Arminzerella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Way Down Deep is one of those small towns with a big heart, filled with quirky but gentle busybodies who all know everything about everyone else in a nice down home way. Most people who live there were born there, but Ruby June arrives in the town of Way Down Deep one night in June when she’s only three years old. Miss Arbutus who runs the boarding house, the Roost, takes her in and raises her until she’s twelve - the summer that the Reeders come to town, and Ruby learns where she really came from.

Ruby’s legal guardian is her grandmother – an unpleasant and cantankerous woman who plays at being ill so that her son will take care of her. When Ruby goes to visit her grandmother, her uncle basically abandons her to her fate - he’s secretly thrilled that Ruby’s still alive, because it means that she can take over. After weeks of poor treatment, Ruby announces that she’s had enough and she’s going to leave. As she starts down the mountain, her grandmother comes after her and apologizes for being the way she is. They manage to make amends and grandma comes down to live at the Roost. It’s the best solution.

This is exactly what you should hand to a child or a parent looking for a nice read. There’s a character who cusses regularly, but it’s displayed in *@#!%&, which should offend less than using the *real* words. Nothing terrible happens, and everyone lives happily ever after. Similar reads include: Because of Winn Dixie, The Penderwicks, So B. It, and Ida B.

[84-The_enlightment_of_Doctor_Grace_part5_Jesus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Way Down Deep by Ruth White is about a girl named Ruby June. Ruby showed up in town when she was three and she could only say Woo-bee and hossie. One of the townspeople took her in and raised her. When she turns thirteen, a man tries to rob a bank to get money for his family. Everyone feels sorry for them, so they let them move to town. Bird, the robber's father, sees Ruby and says she was eaten by panthers. His grandson Peter says he is crazy. But June soon relizes she was the girl, only instead of being eaten she finds out the lady who is now taking care of her kidnapped her in a dream then when she awoke she discovered she really had kidnapped her. Her parents had died in an accident so she had to go and stay with her grandmother. She is really mean until Ruby wants to go back to Way Down Deep. Then she tells her that she really does want to be nice and agrees to live in the inn too. Ruby returns and everyone is happy in the end.
The moral of this story is to never stop searching for that one thing you need. Ruby got the truth about her parents, her grandma, and her family in the end. This book was a little boring but jeart warming. It did have alot of key points people can relate to and learn something from.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A waif appears on the steps of the courthouse in the town of Way Down Deep, West Virginia one early summer morning in June, 1944. Only three years old at the most, when asked her name, she says brightly, 'Me Woo-bee'. And, Ruby June she becomes to be known. Miss Arbutus Ward steps forward and cares for her until 'her people are found'. Years pass by and Ruby is loved and well-cared for by Arbutus and the whole village. She is a bright, talkative, lively child with a mass of red curls on her head. Some years later, a new family, poor and needy, come to town when their father, Bob tries to rob the bank with a plastic gun...the townsfolk know he is a bumbling robber and take the family to their hearts and care for the whole family. Such is the town of Way Down Deep...no one goes hungry, no one is uncared for, and no one is unhappy.

When Robber Bob and his family tell of another family who mysteriously lost a red-headed girlg some 12 or 13 years ago, Ruby becomes suspicious and allows the sheriff to look into 'her' story. Ruby's beginnings come full circle as the events of her mysterious trek into town become clear. A heart-warming tale of bonding, love, and family surround Ruby and a melding of two families and a whole village cement a new base for her.

[Nihal Kariparduc · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Way Down Deep" by Ruth White,is a cool book. There was some parts of the book that was plain ,boring to read. The book is about a girl named Ruby. She is a small girl they found in front of way down deep courthouse in 1940, when she was around 3.After a few years ,how she came into way down deep starts to unravel. Ruth White is an author for some award winning young adult and children's books. Some including the "Belle Praters boy" and "The Search for Bell Prater"

Even though I liked the book ,this is not type of a book which I'll read again. One of my favorite part was at the beginning when they were asking her how she came to way down deep. I liked how they made her sound like a little kid, and how you could just picture her in your head. " "dunno." "What's your daddy's name?" Ruby stuck her fingers in her mouth "how did you get here, Ruby?" "Wide." "Wide? Oh,ride? Ride in a car?" "Wide hossie"pg27. I will definitely read some other book that was written by Ruth White, especially her award winning ones. Overall this book was a good book, and if you're looking for an interesting book to read, I would recommend "Way Down Deep".

# of pages:198
Genre:historical fiction
Review 3

[Robyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book until Miss Arbutus Ward told us about her strange out of body kidnapping. I totally would have bought it if White would have built it up more, but it seemed to come out of no where. Why even mention the panther if it has no real purpose?

Also, Grandma, and just about every ill-habit-character found new meanings to life and so easily. The town drunk, who only had a few lines, suddenly realized that he shouldn't drink his war caused problems. Rita finally speaks, Lucy finds her name, Cedar stops cussing, and I don't who else, probably everyone on some level, who knows. Oh yeah A.H. Crawdford figured out his life too!

I love books with a happy ending, but not so over the top. I recommend Violet Raines almost gets Struck by Lightning.

'I still say she looked like a bumblebee,' Cedar mumbled stubbornly.
'That maybe, but your opinion doesn't count, nor does mine. Mrs. Bevins believes her taste in clothes is impeccable, and in the long run, it's only what one thinks of oneself that matters.'

[Linda Lipko · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I enjoyed previous books written by this author, I was a tad disappointed in this.

Keep track of the many characters presented a problem.

Ruby June resides in a tiny village named Way Down Deep. When a baby, she mysteriously was found on the courthouse steps. Take in by the kind and quirky Miss Alburtus, who runs the local boarding house, we are introduced to a host of down home, kind hearted, quirky folk.

Now, 13, Ruby is happy and is well liked by all members of Way Down Deep. When a new family move to town, they have information which leads to finding Ruby's long-lost grandmother.

Taken from Miss Alburtus and plucked in the far off lonely woods with a cantankerous grandmother brings depression for Ruby and a longing of the town folk for Ruby to return.

Some of the passages were laugh out loud and highly creative and thus the book marginally redeems itself. But the attempt at too much creativity undermined the good writing and I give this one a guarded two stars.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Way Down Deep is just quirky enough to edge outside the realm of realistic fiction. Ruby is a toddler found outside the courthouse in 1944 and taken in by the owner of a boarding house, Miss Arbutus. Ruby has a rich, full life in Way Down Deep, but she has always been curious about her people. An inept bank robber comes to town and is befriended in his troubles with the townspeople. The robber knows of Ruby and helps lead her back to her roots. But it is not the happy world of Way Down Deep; instead, Ruby goes to live with a deeply unhappy grandmother, caring for her even though the grandmother is as mean to her as a grass snake. Finally, Ruby cannot take any more and decides to leave. Faced with yet another person leaving her, the grandmother resolves to change and to find a way to go with Ruby to Way Down Deep.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has an old-fashioned feel to it. It harkens back to a time when people knew their neighbors, helped each other out, and tried to make life pleasant for everyone. Ruby comes to Down Deep as a toddler with a mystery. No one knows where she came from but the whole town welcomes her. But no one welcomes her more than Miss Arbutus Ward, a lonely spinster who runs the boardinghouse. And Ruby grows up happy and loved.

I liked the touch of magical realism here. It gives a book that seems so firmly planted in every day reality a notion that anything can happen, any time, any place, and to any one - even the most timid among us.

This would be a good classroom read aloud, or a book discussion book. Very sweet book.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

1953 Way Down Deep, West Virginia 12 year old Ruby June lives at The Roost, the town boardinghouse, with Miss Arbutus and the other boarders. Miss Arbutus, the owner of The Roost, has cared for Ruby June since she was three years old after she was found abandoned at the courthouse. When a family facing hard times is invited to move into town, the grandfather of the family insists that a panther ate Ruby when she was little. Could he have her mixed up with someone else or is this a clue to where she came from?

The story has a wonderful cast of characters and a very satisfying ending. The story includes information about the 1950s.

I would recommend this story to someone who likes interesting characters and doesn't mind a little suspension of disbelief.

[Miss Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

1953 Way Down Deep, West Virginia 12 year old Ruby June lives at The Roost, the town boardinghouse, with Miss Arbutus and the other boarders. Miss Arbutus, the owner of The Roost, has cared for Ruby June since she was three years old after she was found abandoned at the courthouse. When a family facing hard times is invited to move into town, the grandfather of the family insists that a panther ate Ruby when she was little. Could he have her mixed up with someone else or is this a clue to where she came from?

The story has a wonderful cast of characters and a very satisfying ending. The story includes information about the 1950s.

I would recommend this story to someone who likes interesting characters and doesn't mind a little suspension of disbelief.