The Man Who Loved Clowns facts for kids

The Man Who Loved Clowns is a novel written in 1992 by June Rae Wood. It tells a story about a girl learning to understand and support a family member who has a mental disability. The author, June Rae Wood, based the story on her own life experiences with her brother, Richard, who had Down syndrome. Wood also wrote a follow-up book called Turtle on a Fence Post, which takes place one year later.

The Story of Delrita and Punky

Delrita's Secret and a New Friend

The story begins with Delrita Jensen trying to get away from a new girl at school, Avanelle Shackleford. Avanelle seems friendly, but Delrita is trying to avoid her. Delrita has a secret: she lives with her Uncle Punky, who has Down syndrome. Delrita worries that if people find out about Punky, they will make fun of him. She has spent her whole life trying to protect him from that.

To keep Punky safe, Delrita has made herself almost invisible at school. She turns down offers of friendship and doesn't try to make friends of her own. She feels lonely and sad, but she fears that letting new people into her life will only cause her pain. When Avanelle finally catches up to Delrita and invites her for a snack, Delrita rudely says no.

A Sad Change and a New Home

In the days that follow, Delrita learns more about Avanelle and her family. They live outside of town, have many children, and face some challenges. Even though both girls have secrets, Delrita still refuses to be friends with Avanelle or anyone else.

A few weeks later, Delrita's parents take her and Punky to Silver Dollar City. This is an old-fashioned town where a skilled woodcarver works. Delrita loves to whittle wood, so she is very excited about the trip. Her parents drop them off and then go to an antique fair. Delrita has a wonderful day with Punky. They ride rides, eat fun food, and visit the woodcarver's shop, which inspires Delrita greatly.

However, when it's time to meet her parents, Delrita feels that something is wrong. As minutes and then hours pass, her parents do not show up. Delrita knows something terrible has happened. Soon, she receives very sad news: her parents were in a car accident and passed away. Delrita and Punky then go to live with Delrita's Uncle Bert (Punky's brother) and Aunt Queenie.

Learning About Friendship and Family

Delrita finds it very hard to get used to living with her aunt and uncle. Aunt Queenie likes things to be very neat, which often clashes with Punky's messy eating and habits. Delrita becomes very upset when her aunt and uncle suggest that Punky would do well at a special workshop for adults with disabilities. Delrita's mother had spent her life taking care of Punky, and now Aunt Queenie wants to send him away. Delrita promises herself that she will do anything to protect Punky.

Feeling very alone, Delrita finally accepts Avanelle's offer to come over after school. The girls quickly become good friends. Delrita also starts to like Avanelle's older brother, Tree. For a few weeks, Delrita feels truly happy. She enjoys having her first friend, and Avanelle's whole family accepts Punky just as he is, without making fun of him.

Unfortunately, a misunderstanding happens with one of Avanelle's letters. This causes the happy friendship to break up around the same time that Aunt Queenie succeeds in sending Punky to the workshop. Delrita feels like her world is falling apart again.

Discovering True Happiness and Loss

At Aunt Queenie's request, Delrita goes with Punky to work one morning. She finds that the workshop is a very happy place. Punky has friends there, a girlfriend, and a sense of pride he never had before. Delrita feels ashamed for trying to keep Punky so sheltered. She realizes that her own fears of being rejected had made her hide behind Punky's disability, using it as an excuse to separate herself from others. She promises to change, but Avanelle is not ready to forgive her. As weeks go by, Delrita starts to feel invisible again.

Then, everything changes once more. Delrita receives the terrible news that Punky has had a heart attack. A few days later, her dear uncle and best friend passes away. The entire town comes to his funeral, and Delrita realizes that Punky was loved by many people in his community. At the end of the service, she runs into Avanelle's arms. Avanelle has realized that Delrita's friendship means everything to her too.

Awards for the Book

• 1995 Mark Twain Award in Missouri
• 1995 William Allen White Award in Kansas