The Man Who Loved Clowns

Delrita Jensen is a thirteen year old girl who prefers isolation to the risk of people mocking her Uncle Punky, who has Down's syndrome. Her parents' sudden death in a car accident forces her into a new living situation with relatives, where her protective walls are challenged by new friendships and the reality of Punky's aging. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals directly with the death of parents. The approach is secular and unflinchingly realistic, including the use of outdated or cruel terminology by bullies to reflect the protagonist's lived experience. The resolution is hopeful but grounded in the reality of change. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story begins with a heavy sense of isolation and social anxiety, plunges into deep grief, and slowly climbs toward a sense of belonging and openness. It is a journey from shame to pride. IDEAL READER: A middle schooler who feels like an outsider or who carries a heavy family secret. It is especially resonant for 'glass children' who feel they must be the strong or invisible ones in a family with special needs. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might reach for this after hearing their child express embarrassment about how others perceive a family member with a disability, or seeing their child retreat into themselves after a loss. PARENT PREP: Parents should be prepared for the car accident scene and the realistic depiction of social bullying. The book was published in 1995, so some terminology regarding disability may feel slightly dated, providing a good opening for discussion on how language has evolved. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger readers will focus on the bond between Delrita and Punky, while older readers will more deeply internalize Delrita's internal conflict between her love for her uncle and her desire for social acceptance. DIFFERENTIATOR: It is one of the few middle grade novels that honestly explores the 'shame' a child might feel about how others perceive a loved one with a disability, without vilifying the child for having those feelings, eventually leading them toward empathy. """