Way Down Deep
Way Down Deep . Ruth White; Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007
Grade Level: 4-6
ISBN-10: 0374382514 ISBN-13 # & cost: 978-0374382513, $16.00
Blanket Permission to Reproduce Book Jackets: Used with the permission of Farrar, Strauss and Giroux |
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Synopsis:
Ruby had always wondered about the mystery of how she showed up all alone as a toddler in the town of Way Down Deep, although she was very content with her life there. That is, until a new family shows up in town with a story about a night many years ago when the mountain people heard a panther's cries and how a child went missing that same night off their mountain. Was she that missing child? Would she have to give up a life and community she loved for one she did not know?
General Review:
Students will be captivated by the mystery of Ruby's beginnings and of the appearance of a ghostly woman in her room. Teachers will appreciate the sense of community expressed in the story and the complexity of the characters. Both students and teachers will be charmed by the characters in Way Down Deep and appreciate the humor and tenderness in Ruth White's story of story of a little community tucked away in the mountains in 1944.
Themes: Orphans, small towns, family, mystery, dreams, community
Author information : Ruth White is the author of several children's books which include the Newbery Honor Book, Belle Prater's Boy. Ms. White was born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains and has been teacher and school librarian for many years. Many of her stories come from her memories of childhood and growing up in the mountains.
Discussion Questions: Come up with 3 to 5 broad questions students could discuss after reading the book.
1. What does it mean to be family? Can someone be part of your family even if you are not related?
2. There are many interesting characters in Way Down Deep . Which one is your favorite and why?
3. Miss Arbutus and Ruby have a special ritual they both look forward to every evening. Do you have a special ritual that you share with a family member?
4. Bob Reeder attempts to rob a bank, Peter Reeder cusses, Grandma Combs is mean to her family. How does the author explain the reasons for each of her character's bad behavior? Do you think the same reasons would apply to people you know?
5. Ruby belongs to several communities in the story Way Down Deep , the smaller community of the boarding house and the bigger community of the town. What does community mean to you and how many communities do you belong too?
Activities:
• In the first paragraph Ruby explains how Way Down Deep became a town. Do some research about the history of your town using resources like newspapers, microfilm, and books. Create a storyboard to recreate the story of your town. (Standard 1, Benchmark 4, Standard 2, Benchmark
• Ruby June had heard several stories of her childhood from different people that knew her. Do a oral history project about yourself and interview your family, friends, and teachers for early and favorite memories they have about you and add them to a timeline starting with the earliest memory to the most current. (Standard 3, Benchmark 4)
• Use a concept map or graphic organizer to analyze the characters, theme, conflict, and setting of Way Down Deep . (Standard 3, Benchmark 1)
Similar Books for Further Reading
• The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
• Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
• Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
• Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff
