I've read many of Ruth White's books, and have enjoyed them all. This is probably the sweetest one. A little fantasy thrown in makes it a delight of a story. ( )

In the summer of 1944, a red-headed, curly-haired toddler mysteriously appeared on the courthouse steps in Way Down Deep, WV. No trace of how she got there or to whom she belonged was ever found.

For 10 years Ruby June has lived a happy, comfortable life, well loved and cared for by Miss Arbutus Ward, owner of the local boardinghouse. The arrival of a new family in town sets in motion the unraveling of Ruby's past and the mystery of her appearance. In the process, readers are introduced to a colorful cast of characters who not only add to the rich Appalachian tone of the novel, but also lace it together with sweet humor, timeless truths, and expert foreshadowing.

At first thought to be the senile ramblings of Mr. Bird Reeder, a former resident of Yonder Mountain, VA, bits of information lead Ruby to discover that she might be the child thought to have been carried off by a panther years earlier. She learns of her parents' death when she was a baby, that she has family living on top of the mountain, and of her mystical connections to Miss Ward.

Captivating and thoughtful on many levels, White's novel offers humor, mystery, and a feel-good ending that a multitude of readers will find satisfying "way down deep." ( )

I really enjoyed this whimsical story of a young girl named Ruby June, who mysteriously appeared in the Appalachian town of Way Down Deep as a child. The story follows Ruby as she discovers her past and opens to the future. ( )

Outstanding Appalachian story. ( )

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. ( )