What are the main themes in the novel, Geronimo’s Ponies?

There are two main themes in the novel, the first being Davey's self-discovery. Davey learns a great deal about what he can do; not everything he learns about himself pleases him. His ability to think quickly on his feet seems good, but that quick thinking involves misleading the police and stealing license plates. The other major theme is that of family. Part of Davey's process of selfdiscovery involves his learning about his mother's family. They are a bunch of eccentric ne'er-do-wells who, with the possible exception of Uncle Eph, were very cruel to Davey's mother.

During the novel, Davey learns about many of his family's darkest secrets, often using his quick mind to deduce what family members withhold from him. Thus the themes of self-discovery and family are interwoven throughout Geronimo's Ponies.