What is the theme in The Man Who Loved Clowns by June Rae Wood?

The most obvious theme in the novel is that of friendship. When Delrita first arrives in Tangle Nook, her parents encourage her to make some new friends, but Delrita is hiding a secret: she's embarrassed of her handicapped Uncle Punky and fears that if friends find out she lives with him, they will make fun of her. As a result, Delrita is completely isolate in her life, dedicating all her time to protecting Punky. She is clearly miserable and lonely, but she justifies these emotions as self-punishment for the guilt she feels over her embarrassment: "My mixed up emotions [ate] me alive. How could I love Punky and be ashamed of him at the same time?"