Ray Gordon is a huge fan of circuses. In fact, he idolizes his uncle Theo, a performer at Koko's Klown Academy who's invited Ray to come stay for the summer. But as time passes, he finds the Academy has strange secrets — there are whisperings about a place named Clown Street, where clowns are sent if they anger the Academy's owner. When Ray realizes his uncle has been sent to Clown Street, he becomes determined to go there himself and rescue him, and in the process learns the truth behind the Academy and its occupants.
This book provides examples of:
- Ax-Crazy: Uncle Theo is a literal example; as Murder the Clown, he makes himself appear unhinged and he has a fake ax in his head.
- Bears Are Bad News: One of the things the clowns have to fight in Clown Street is a ferocious bear. The Frightneer is chased away by the bear he brings to keep the clowns in line.
- Chekhov's Hobby: Deana has a knife throwing act, and later she uses one of her knives to ward off a squid.
- Circus Episode: To be more specific, it's a clown school.
- Circus of Fear: Koko's Klown Academy is an interesting example, as it's actually more dangerous for the clowns as those who act out of line are taken to the eponymous clown street to fight dangerous monsters.
- Duck!: Used in one scene where Ray hears someone shout "Duck!", and it turns out to be someone chasing an actual duck.
- Gladiator Games: Clowns that are punished are taken to Clown Street, where they are forced to fight bears and giant squids for the amusement of others. The clowns usually lose.
- Ironic Name: Ray meets a bulky clown named Tiny. There's also one who is a dwarf named Biggie.
- I Want My Mommy!: The Frightener calls for his mommy when the clowns team up to scare him.
- Knife-Throwing Act: Deana does one, which makes Ray suspect her since someone threw a knife near him earlier.
- Noodle Incident: Ray mentions that gets into a lot of antics, and brings up one time where he found a miniature horse walking and kept it, but doesn't want to get into the details.
- Non-Indicative Name: Lampshaded. One of the acts in the circus is the Flying Fool Brothers. One person comments that they aren't brothers and don't even look alike.
- Only Known by Their Nickname: The villain is someone called The Frightener, and his real name is not known.
- Shout-Out: The title is an obvious nod to the classic horror film franchise, A Nightmare on Elm Street.
