In this potent debut, Wood displays a prodigious writing and storytelling talent. Delrita, 13, has recently moved to a small Missouri town with her parents and Punky, an uncle who has Down's syndrome. Delrita adores Punky, yet is also embarrassed by him. She easily accepts his childish ways at home, but avoids having visitors, and attending church in her new community causes the girl considerable anguish. Always a loner, Punky is befriended by the persistent Avanelle Shackleford ("a name that was almost bigger than she was"), a classmate who also has familial shame--and a fabulous older brother. When disaster tears Delrita's life apart, her new friends' support fortifies her as does Punky's enduring love. The skillfully crafted work, based on the author's memory of a brother who had Down's syndrome, is enriched by humorous touches and Delrita's involving, simply told narrative. This close-up view of a prevalent disease is more than a one-note novel: the author also artfully interweaves issues of loneliness, first romance and parental death. Both Delrita and Punky are complex, realistically drawn characters worthy of attention and admiration.
Review and Summary provided by: Publishers Weekly- Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
The Man Who Loved Clowns, written by June Rae Wood. New York: Puffin, 2005. Print.
ISBN: 0142404225
This book is so important in classrooms. It has always been one of my favorite books and helps students understand and have appreciation for special needs students in the classroom. Students are exposed to special needs, particularly Downs-syndrome, which they may not know about or understand. Using this book in a classroom can tackle unfamiliar issues in a very good way.
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