The Man Who Loved Clowns

by June Rae Wood

Delrita likes being invisible. If no one notices her, then no one willnotice her uncle Punky either. Punky is a grown man with a child's mind. Delrita loves him dearly and can't stand people making fun of his Down Syndrome. But when tragedy strikes, Delrita's quiet life— and Punky's— are disrupted forever. Can she finally learn to trust others, for her own sake and Punky's? This story captures the joy and sorrow that come when we open our hearts to love.

Author Biography: June Rae Wood lives near Windsor, Missouri.

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, School, Book Club

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

June Rae Wood, the author of the famous The Man WHo Loved Clowns , was born in 1946 in Sedalia, Missouri . "My brother Richard was born [in 1948] with Down's syndrome and a heart defect," author June Rae Wood wrote in the Sedalia Democrat in 1995. "The doctor said he wouldn't live, and even if he did, he would never walk or talk. He advised my parents to send Richard to die in an institution, rather than take him home and let the family get attached to him." Wood, the second of what would eventually be eight children, was only two years old when her parents brought Richard, their third child, home from the hospital. Although her parents gave all their children special attention, Richard, whom Wood's mother called her little "Dickey-bird," was doted on and protected by all the family members. This was not just because he was handicapped, but also because Richard was very special to them all. He would eventually become the subject of Wood's award-winning first book, The Man Who Loved Clowns.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this book made me cry and cry -- in a good way. Such a beautiful story about love, acceptance, patience, and trust (as June Rae Wood says of her real life brother). The small town comes to life as we go through some very difficult days with Delrita (Velveeta). Some other notable bits: 1) Delrita loves to do wood carving. 2) The realistic depiction of her small church and the different members of the congregation. 3) The crushing weight of grief. 4) The hope of the resurrection. 5) The neighbors with a father in prison (circumstantial and unjust). 6) Uncle Punky is the star of the show. This is a Missouri-born classic and I highly recommend it for ages 10 and up.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok well, this one took me some time before I got up enough guts to read. I am into fantasy and sci-fi books; I do not love clowns, but I don’t hate them either. The book cover’s McDonald’s color scheme didn’t really grab my attention either. However, I thought I should give it a try, remember what they say, “You shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover.”

WOW, this was a very emotional, humbling, and uplifting book. I am NOT an overly emotional person, but my eyes did get a wee bit moist now and then – I think it was because I was eating some chips and super hot salsa at the time. Nevertheless, this book opened my eyes to those families who have to live and deal with disabilities. It reminded me that people with any type of disability are truly amazing people and deserve to be treated with love and respect. They should never be taken for granted.

[Krissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so sweet and heartbreaking at the same time. I couldn't help but fall in love with Punky. Ugh. My heart hurts right now but I still loved this book.

[Courtney Cohan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me become a special education teacher completely helped me find a passion for those who live differently than us

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was in elementary school. Even at such a young age it really hit me hard in the feels. This story opened me up the wonderful world of books. The story has stayed with me in my heart and mind for over 10+ years. It's a wonderful book that anyone can read.

[JoDee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book, EVER!!!

[Marcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a very special place in my heart. We read it aloud in my 6th grade English class and when we got to the final chapters, I think the majority of us were sobbing. It's the first book that made me realize how powerful stories can be.

I've read it every year since then and while some people say that the writing style is very simplistic, I think that it is very powerful and captures a confused pre-teen beautifully. I absolutely fell in love with Punky and when I pick the book up again, it feels like I'm being reunited with an old friend! I can't wait to share this story with my children. What a beautiful message!

[LillyCat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is heartwarming, heartbreaking and very relatable. I too, was always embarrassed, ashamed and protective of family members with mental health issues as a teen. The grief and joy that is woven into this book creates empathy and compassion for any reader

[Layla Mendoza]

Really good, but SUPPPER sad!!!

[Megan Kiekel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book for young adults; designed to turn on the water works.

I read this in the first grade because it was that year’s William Allen White Award in Kansas (we live on the Missouri side of Kansas City now, but Jake & I both grew up on the Kansas side of Kansas City). I’m a life long nerd and I always made a point to read the award-winning books as a kid. When I found this while thrifting, I had to get it for the ever-building young-adult section of our home library. I didn’t enjoy the book as much as I did as a kid; the writing style isn’t very sophisticated. But the story is heartfelt and teaches a lesson on tolerance.

[Ashton Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third time I've read this book. It makes me laugh, makes me cry, makes me smile, breaks my heart. I just can't say enough how much I recommend this book. Just go read it.

[Amy Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so sad and made me cry. It is so beautiful.
This is now one of my favorite books.

[Samantha Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This became one of my favorite books over 20 years ago when I read it several times as a child. I came across a copy in a thrift store the other day and bought it for my 10 year old daughter. Once she started reading and wanting to talk about the book, I pulled out my childhood copy to read along. The next 3 evenings, neither of us could put the book down. She came to me with many moments of laughter and endearment and also in those moments of sadness. We both love the setting, being familiar with all of the mentions of different places in Missouri, where we live. I couldn't remember the whole story before reading but was pleasantly reminded why I love(d) it so much. It was so nice to spend some hours with old friends in one of those books that made me fall in love with reading. This is such a touching and heartwarming story. You'll laugh and you'll cry. It's a simple story about real life at face value with so many emotions to unpack when you dig a little deeper. I highly recommend giving this a read!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really sweet middle grade read about a thirteen-year-old girl and her Uncle Punky, who has Down's syndrome. She struggles to make friends when her family moves into town because she wants to protect her uncle from people who might mock him. There's a lot of drama packed into its 200 pages, both life-altering events and fighting between friends. Great character development (if a bit predictable). The story handles an important topic really well (the author drew from her own relationship with her brother who has Down's syndrome). I'd definitely recommend it to MG readers.

[Nola · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended by a fellow teacher who said he reads it to his class every year. It will make you cry. It is a sweet story (semi autobiography) of a 13 year old girl and her love and frustrations living with her adult down syndrome uncle. There is tragedy, but also joy as the characters learn how to progress and gain new friendships along the way. The humor was fun as you laughed along with the characters. This book was an important and enjoyable reading experience.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rereading a book that meant so much to me in my childhood—the first book that ever made me cry. I can still remember holding the book, where I was reading, who my teacher was. Somehow, I think I cried even harder reading it as an adult. I loved reading this story with my daughter. Our conversations, her insights, and lots of meaningful discussions.

[Audrey :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5, definitely a tear jerker, but i feel like some events happened way too quickly. i loved this book!!

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter has been after me to read this book. I can absolutely see why. It’s a beautiful story of love in action.

[Clarabelle Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was really emotional I loved the detailing and I think it’s a good book to cry about

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delrita lives with her parents and Uncle Punky who has Down Syndrome. While she loves her uncle unconditionally, she is also, at times, embarrassed and ashamed of him, especially when everyone stares at his goofy actions and untimely and somewhat rude comments. Her mother coddles Punky and allows him to act out and do as he pleases. Delrita has learned to become invisible at school, church, and in town. When a new family moves into town, she realizes that she is not the only one with family issues and starts to open up to a friendship.

Everything comes crashing down when her parents are killed in a freaky automobile accident, and both Punky and Delrita go to live with her Uncle Bert and Aunt Queenie. Aunt Queenie is opinionated, and always has been, with regards to Punky's care and lifestyle. She insists that he go to a facility where his needs are addressed and he is taught to become a member of society, but most importantly, to make friends. Little by little, Delrita opens up to this new idea and Punky flourishes. Yet, in the meantime, Delrita sinks farther and farther into loneliness, as she finds a way to alienate those new friends who want to reach out to her. Then, tragedy strikes once again, as Punky succumbs to the frailty of his weak heart and Delrita is lost. Where will she find strength to carry on?

The Man Who Loved Clowns is quite a commentary of those with mental disabilities and how a community responds to them. Somewhat dated and certainly today's kids will have a difficult time understanding how disabilities where viewed as little as 20 years ago, it nonetheless provides some food for thought and could open up a discussion about empathy, compassion, and friendship.

[Hanna Grubb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my all time favorite book!
This is my 14th or 15th time reading it and I have cried every single time.
It is such a great book and I recommend it to everyone!
This book gave me a great appreciation for people with Down syndrome and it made me really fall in love with their heart and love for others ❤️.

[Heatherfife · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the writing of this book, but didn't like its book's message. By the end, the only characters I thought with any redeeming qualities were Delrita's Aunt Queenie and Uncle Bert. Both of whom are villanized throughout the majority of the book. It seems that Delrita learned to be embarrassed about her Uncle who has Downs Syndrome from her own Mother, who has spent years trying to keep him hidden from society and has essentially imprisoned him in her home. Despite losing her parents, Delrita never really develops a true love or appreciation for Uncle "Punky," and seems only to find the ability to be herself once he is dead. The tagline on the front of the book is really misleading: "What makes Delrita's uncle special also makes him irreplaceable in her heart."

[Yaretzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this book but it is soooo sad when punke died :( :)

[Marieke vanErven]

This was an amazing book. June Rae Wood did an incredible job bringing emotion into this book, it was hard for me to put down. I laughed with this book, cried with this book, and it brought a smile to my face. It is a great way to show that even though many of us are different, we are all the same, we are all human beings, and being different is what makes us unique. This book had amazing detail, and I thought that there was a great amount of thought put into this book, the hard work truly comes through in the text. I would definitely recommend this book to others, I already have, and I think that many will enjoy this book.

[Sarah Wolters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of my absolute favourites. It's both heartwarming and heart wrenching at the same time. Delrita's character is very shy and quiet, and with me being the same way, she was very easy to relate to. Wood writes about Delrita's relationship with her Uncle Punky, who has Down's Syndrome, and how Delrita deals with the troubles that she has with the kids at school in a realistic and interesting way, which makes the book a worthwhile read. It is a relatively short book, but the story it contains is a long and heavy one. I would recommend this book to pretty much anyone, as well as reading the sequel, Turtle on a Fence Post.

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time in 6th grade, and it was, as I distinctly remember, the first book to ever make me cry.

This story about a young girl and her uncle is a wonderful way to show children how to treat others, no matter the differences in appearance or intelligence. It is one that I will very much be rereading soon because of its simplistic, good-natured style of writing while also being able to draw, no, pull on your heartstrings. It's a book that I highly recommend to anyone looking for a tearjerker that also makes you feel good.

[Eden Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book back in elementary school, and it was my first "real" book. I love it because I live very close to where the story actually takes place. I felt bad for Delrita at times and I wanted to sympathize with her frequently throughout the book. I found myself disliking Aunt Queenie more than once, but near the end of the book a new side came out and it just added a sense of happiness to the book.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m scared to write a review because I don’t have the perfect words to write it. I definitely don’t want to ruin this book with a flat review either. All I can say is, you HAVE to read this book. It might make me sound cheesy, but this book gave me the strength and understanding that I need in my life right now.

This was recommended to me by my husband and I am so happy that I finally gave in and read it.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time back in 7th grade and I still remember most of this book. Punky is a man with down syndrome. It sends a message of how it is to grow up with someone who has special needs. I grew up with an aunt who was mentally challenged, and it was very relatable. Good read for people of whatever age, in my personal opinion.

[Nicole]

This is one of the greatest stories ever written! June Rae Wood came to visit our middle school (about 20 years ago) to talk with us and I will never forget this book. I have it on my self ready for my daughter to read when she is old enough. If the right child reads it, it can change your whole outlook on life.