"The Man Who Loved Clowns" is a young adult novel by June Rae Wood, first published in 1992. The story is told from the perspective of 13-year-old Delrita Jensen, who is forced to live with her grandparents when her mother is diagnosed with cancer. Delrita's grandfather, Punky, is a retired circus clown who suffers from Down syndrome. While Delrita loves her grandfather, she is embarrassed by his childlike behavior and struggles to come to terms with her own emotions about his condition. As she begins to learn more about Punky and his love of clowning, Delrita begins to see him in a new light and learns to accept him for who he is. The novel explores themes of family, acceptance, and the challenges of living with a disability. It has been praised for its sensitive portrayal of Down syndrome and its portrayal of the complex relationships between family members. It was a finalist for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature in 1992.
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