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The Whipping Boy
Newbery Medal Winner (1987)
A shout comes echoing up the stairway. "Fetch the whipping boy!"
A young orphan named Jemmy rouses from his sleep. "Ain't I already been whipped twice today? Gaw! What's the prince done now?" It was forbidden to spank, thrash, or whack the heir to the throne. Jemmy had been plucked from the streets to serve as whipping boy to the arrogant and spiteful Prince Brat.
Dreaming of running away, Jemmy finds himself trapped in Prince Brat's own dream at once brash and perilous.
In this briskly told tale of high adventure, taut with suspense and rich with colorful characters, the whipping boy and Prince Brat must at last confront each other.
Award-winning author Sid Fleischman again blends the broadly comic with the deeply compassionate in this memorable novel.
90 pages, Paperback
First published April 14, 1986
209 people are currently reading
7,398 people want to read
About the author
Sid Fleischman
91Ìýbooks149ÌýfollowersAs a children's book author Sid Fleischman felt a special obligation to his readers. "The books we enjoy as children stay with us forever -- they have a special impact. Paragraph after paragraph and page after page, the author must deliver his or her best work." With almost 60 books to his credit, some of which have been made into motion pictures, Sid Fleischman can be assured that his work will make a special impact.
Sid Fleischman wrote his books at a huge table cluttered with projects: story ideas, library books, research, letters, notes, pens, pencils, and a computer. He lived in an old-fashioned, two-story house full of creaks and character, and enjoys hearing the sound of the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Fleischman passed away after a battle with cancer on March 17, 2010, the day after his ninetieth birthday.
He was the father of Newbery Medal winning writer and poet Paul Fleischman, author of Joyful Noise; they are the only father and son to receive Newbery awards.
Sid Fleischman wrote his books at a huge table cluttered with projects: story ideas, library books, research, letters, notes, pens, pencils, and a computer. He lived in an old-fashioned, two-story house full of creaks and character, and enjoys hearing the sound of the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Fleischman passed away after a battle with cancer on March 17, 2010, the day after his ninetieth birthday.
He was the father of Newbery Medal winning writer and poet Paul Fleischman, author of Joyful Noise; they are the only father and son to receive Newbery awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,675 reviews
June 3, 2022
I read 'The Whipping Boy' with my daughter when she was in grade school and I still have fond memories of our time discussing its content. We both thoroughly enjoyed. Good stuff.
March 19, 2020
This has been on my shelf for a while and on my TBR and it’s thin, very compact size; only 89 pages. Today, I sat down and read this. Now, it comes off my TBR.
I knew nothing of this story, but I was pleasantly surprised how this middle grade classic unfolded. A whipping boy is the boy who is whipped instead of a prince since a prince cannot be whipped by law. The prince gets in trouble and some unlucky boy has to take his punishment. It sounds horrible. But this boy learns to read and write while the prince will not.
One day the prince is so bored with life that he decides to run away with the whipping boy and out in the world it’s the boy who knows how to survive and not the prince. The prince begins to learn some life lessons, finally. There are some good adventures.
It’s a nice story that reminded me of the Prince and Pauper somewhat. I love being able to sit down and read a book in one sitting. It took me just a little over an hour to read this whole story and I think that is a little of the appeal of middle grade. You can read them in close to a sitting, well, not the new books which are much longer. I love the tomes as well. I love to sink into a long book, but it’s nice to have both. I guess short stories are the same way.
I’m glad I read this work. There are some great books that won the Newbery. I’m constantly reminded of that.
I knew nothing of this story, but I was pleasantly surprised how this middle grade classic unfolded. A whipping boy is the boy who is whipped instead of a prince since a prince cannot be whipped by law. The prince gets in trouble and some unlucky boy has to take his punishment. It sounds horrible. But this boy learns to read and write while the prince will not.
One day the prince is so bored with life that he decides to run away with the whipping boy and out in the world it’s the boy who knows how to survive and not the prince. The prince begins to learn some life lessons, finally. There are some good adventures.
It’s a nice story that reminded me of the Prince and Pauper somewhat. I love being able to sit down and read a book in one sitting. It took me just a little over an hour to read this whole story and I think that is a little of the appeal of middle grade. You can read them in close to a sitting, well, not the new books which are much longer. I love the tomes as well. I love to sink into a long book, but it’s nice to have both. I guess short stories are the same way.
I’m glad I read this work. There are some great books that won the Newbery. I’m constantly reminded of that.
April 17, 2008
As a piece of young adult fiction, The Whipping boy earned a Newberry Award. I'm not sure why. Yes, there are vivid descriptions and some good literary devices used, but the storyline is hardly original and the character development is trite. If you want a fun and easy read about friendship and overcoming prejudice, then perhaps you may enjoy it. But to me, The Whipping Boy does not stand out as a choice children's novel.
July 15, 2020
The story is comically told, practically slapstick, so the characters are not deeply drawn. The themes, however, are serious, so it is fun and offers opportunities for extended conversations. I read it with a small group of pre-third and pre-fourth graders who were ESL students. They were able to access the plot and laugh at the situations. The point of view character is Jemmy, a whipping boy. When the prince does something wrong, Jemmy is the one who gets whipped. The prince, who is nicknamed Prince Brat, is frustrated and angry with Jemmy because he won't cry when whipped. The action really begins when Prince Brat forces Jemmy to accompany him when he runs away. Two criminals realize one of them is the prince and decide to kidnap them and get a ransom. That leads to frustration for Jemmy and slapstick hilarity for readers because the prince messes up Jemmy's escape plans, plans to escape the criminals and the prince. All ends well, with the prince learning more than Jemmy, so the story is a nice variation on the prince dressing as a pauper and gaining some empathy theme.
October 20, 2016
Memory lane is a fun place to visit but it is never where one should stay. On occasion I like to revisit past reads to see how much of them I remember and if what I loved about them then still holds up today. This was one of my odd loves and I was a bit confused by it because it wasn’t based on animals, my predominate focus around that particular point in my life. But after stewing over it for a couple of days, I think I finally see the connection. See I’m thinking this read occurred around the same time frame I introduced myself to two other troublesome boys, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. I must have had an interest in boys and adventures or maybe the girl adventure books weren’t as easy to find (if they even existed). Now I’m puzzling over if there were any. Laura Ingalls Wilder would totally count (at least in my mind), but who else? Hmm�
ANYWAY
Still considering this a great book after an old lady rereview, so on my fav shelf it shall stay.
ANYWAY
Still considering this a great book after an old lady rereview, so on my fav shelf it shall stay.
November 22, 2016
Here’s a question: Which would you rather be � a rat-catcher or a whipping boy? On the one hand, rat-catchers catch rats. On the other, whipping boys get whipped. A lot.
At least they do when the prince is known throughout the kingdom as Prince Brat. And Jemmy, an orphan plucked from the streets to be His Highness’s whipping boy, knows which he prefers. If he had a choice, he’d exchange his silk and velvet for rags and be back in the sewers in a half-blink of an eye.
But he doesn’t have a choice. And then, one night, Prince Brat embarks on his greatest piece of mischief yet � running away.
The Whipping Boy, written by Sid Fleischman, is a classic of children’s literature. It’s a slim book � less than one hundred pages, with a large type and generous margins. The writing is direct, in both style and substance. The setting-up takes two chapters, a total of five pages � for unlike the book, we are not counting illustrations.
Brief the author may be, but his strokes are sure and bold. Characters leap brightly from the pages, knowable and entirely their own. Every once in a while, Sid Fleischman turns fine, evocative phrases in his short sentences � “a thoroughbred of the streets�, “fuming like a stovepipe�, the moon gazing “down like an evil eye�.
Places, too, are drawn out in a few vivid words � the great sewers, the dark, garlicky hut, the mist-filled forest (“Forests is creepy things,� the whipping boy says. “Gimme cobbled streets any time.�). The book is in written in that way: skilled, pleasing, and simple.
The king is unnamed, the kingdom and the city nameless, and the time is undefined. Details suggest the eighteenth century � but what does it matter? The Whipping Boy is, in this, like a fairy tale, and it breathes free of any place on a map or time in a chronology.
There is an abiding simplicity in The Whipping Boy. And simplicity, when done by a master, can be a marvelous thing. This story runs and dodges, treating us to adventure and comedy, and at its heart it is a sympathetic view of two boys � both, in their way, deprived. The Whipping Boy is a children’s book, but like all truly excellent works for children, it can be enjoyed by adults, too. No one is too old for the humor of this book, or the adventure, or the humanity.
At least they do when the prince is known throughout the kingdom as Prince Brat. And Jemmy, an orphan plucked from the streets to be His Highness’s whipping boy, knows which he prefers. If he had a choice, he’d exchange his silk and velvet for rags and be back in the sewers in a half-blink of an eye.
But he doesn’t have a choice. And then, one night, Prince Brat embarks on his greatest piece of mischief yet � running away.
The Whipping Boy, written by Sid Fleischman, is a classic of children’s literature. It’s a slim book � less than one hundred pages, with a large type and generous margins. The writing is direct, in both style and substance. The setting-up takes two chapters, a total of five pages � for unlike the book, we are not counting illustrations.
Brief the author may be, but his strokes are sure and bold. Characters leap brightly from the pages, knowable and entirely their own. Every once in a while, Sid Fleischman turns fine, evocative phrases in his short sentences � “a thoroughbred of the streets�, “fuming like a stovepipe�, the moon gazing “down like an evil eye�.
Places, too, are drawn out in a few vivid words � the great sewers, the dark, garlicky hut, the mist-filled forest (“Forests is creepy things,� the whipping boy says. “Gimme cobbled streets any time.�). The book is in written in that way: skilled, pleasing, and simple.
The king is unnamed, the kingdom and the city nameless, and the time is undefined. Details suggest the eighteenth century � but what does it matter? The Whipping Boy is, in this, like a fairy tale, and it breathes free of any place on a map or time in a chronology.
There is an abiding simplicity in The Whipping Boy. And simplicity, when done by a master, can be a marvelous thing. This story runs and dodges, treating us to adventure and comedy, and at its heart it is a sympathetic view of two boys � both, in their way, deprived. The Whipping Boy is a children’s book, but like all truly excellent works for children, it can be enjoyed by adults, too. No one is too old for the humor of this book, or the adventure, or the humanity.
June 28, 2022
Read this back in 2nd grade and it has always stuck with me.
January 4, 2009
Synopsis:
Jemmy is the prince's whipping boy, a job that means he gets punished any time the prince misbehaves. Tired of the injustice, he decides to run away. Before he can, the prince decides to run away instead, dragging Jemmy along for the ride. Soon, they are kidnapped by two highwaymen who mistake Jemmy for the prince. Now, with their roles reversed, it's Jemmy that controls whether or not the prince will get whipped. Will he help the young prince to return home? Or use the opportunity to get away?
Personal thoughts:
This book is simple, but entertaining. It's a quick, easy read. I remember reading it at some point during elementary school and enjoying it then. Reading it lately, though, it seems that it might hold more interest for kids than adults.
I was pleased to see how Jemmy's character develops over the course of the book. At first, he can think of nothing but his opportunity to get away. He has concerns for the prince, but only because he's worried that the King and others will think he helped the prince get kidnapped. Over time, though, he starts to feel more empathy for the prince.
I also really enjoyed the fact that eventually, Jemmy realizes all the things he would be giving up by returning to be a rat catcher in the sewers. His life as a whipping boy is certainly less than ideal, but he also realizes that the education he has received perhaps merits something better than the scavenging life he knew before.
Jemmy is the prince's whipping boy, a job that means he gets punished any time the prince misbehaves. Tired of the injustice, he decides to run away. Before he can, the prince decides to run away instead, dragging Jemmy along for the ride. Soon, they are kidnapped by two highwaymen who mistake Jemmy for the prince. Now, with their roles reversed, it's Jemmy that controls whether or not the prince will get whipped. Will he help the young prince to return home? Or use the opportunity to get away?
Personal thoughts:
This book is simple, but entertaining. It's a quick, easy read. I remember reading it at some point during elementary school and enjoying it then. Reading it lately, though, it seems that it might hold more interest for kids than adults.
I was pleased to see how Jemmy's character develops over the course of the book. At first, he can think of nothing but his opportunity to get away. He has concerns for the prince, but only because he's worried that the King and others will think he helped the prince get kidnapped. Over time, though, he starts to feel more empathy for the prince.
I also really enjoyed the fact that eventually, Jemmy realizes all the things he would be giving up by returning to be a rat catcher in the sewers. His life as a whipping boy is certainly less than ideal, but he also realizes that the education he has received perhaps merits something better than the scavenging life he knew before.
June 19, 2019
I remembered this one from when I was a child, but not most of the details. After reading it again, I can see why I remembered it! I love the clever turns of phrase, the wacky adventures, and the eventual unlikely friendship that develops. Also, it's kind of fun that it takes so long to even start developing. Prince Brat certainly lives up to his name for a lot longer than expected--which makes the transition even better when it starts. :)
Content--one mention of Hell (as a place); a few uses of "blazes" and some invented expressions; mention of cursing; references to executions; mentions of boys being whipped
Content--one mention of Hell (as a place); a few uses of "blazes" and some invented expressions; mention of cursing; references to executions; mentions of boys being whipped
July 2, 2013
I somehow missed out on a whole lot of great children's literature when I was a child. Maybe Babysitter's Club was just all I needed, lol. As a result of this lit-ignorance, I am just now reading a bunch of we-read-this-in-school kinds of classics. The Whipping Boy is among these.
I picked this from the library with the intent of reading it for my own information. But somehow I am reading it aloud to my kids. They (especially J) are really loving it. I love that J is old enough to pick up on compassion, humor, and suspense! So glad this has become a family affair!
I picked this from the library with the intent of reading it for my own information. But somehow I am reading it aloud to my kids. They (especially J) are really loving it. I love that J is old enough to pick up on compassion, humor, and suspense! So glad this has become a family affair!
June 6, 2018
This book just cracked me up! Prince Horace is the naughtiest kid around and everyone calls him Prince Brat behind his back. He knows he can get away with anything and Jemmy will have to take his whippings for him. Despite his naughtiness his life his boring and he decides to run away taking his whipping boy with him. What follows is a bunch of random adventures that become more and more exciting as the boys try to escape a couple of crooks who kidnapped them. By the end of their adventures Prince Horace is a changed boy.
September 2, 2021
Been a long time since I read this book, but I remember enjoying it. It's hard to not sympathize with the whipping boy, and hard to not feel gratified when he and the prince fall into a difficult situation and the prince learns some much-needed lessons.
Definitely a book I would recommend to kids in elementary or middle school, though I am also sure that adults could also enjoy this story even if it would be a quicker read for older folks. 4.25/5 stars.
Definitely a book I would recommend to kids in elementary or middle school, though I am also sure that adults could also enjoy this story even if it would be a quicker read for older folks. 4.25/5 stars.
November 2, 2008
Chapter book - historical fiction
Newbery Medal
For grades 3-7
Jemmy is Prince Brat's whipping boy, taking any punishment due to the prince, until the prince decides to run away, taking Jemmy with him and leading them into a series of adventures with notorious outlaws.
This tale is told with plenty of humor and adventure, in an entertaining style that suits the content. Prince Brat and Jemmy begin the story as contrasting characters, but develop a believable affinity as they run from castle, outlaws, soldiers and sewers. The chapters are short and packed with action, as well as enough emotional content to make the story satisfying. The madcap vocabulary and Peter Sis' illustrations add more spice to the story. This would make a great read-aloud, and the boys' escapades, as well as the book's brevity, will make the story appealing to reluctant readers.
The Publisher's Weekly review relies heavily on plot summary and description. School Library Journal gives a better sense of the book's strengths and appeal, while still summarizing the action, and offers read-alike suggestions.
Newbery Medal
For grades 3-7
Jemmy is Prince Brat's whipping boy, taking any punishment due to the prince, until the prince decides to run away, taking Jemmy with him and leading them into a series of adventures with notorious outlaws.
This tale is told with plenty of humor and adventure, in an entertaining style that suits the content. Prince Brat and Jemmy begin the story as contrasting characters, but develop a believable affinity as they run from castle, outlaws, soldiers and sewers. The chapters are short and packed with action, as well as enough emotional content to make the story satisfying. The madcap vocabulary and Peter Sis' illustrations add more spice to the story. This would make a great read-aloud, and the boys' escapades, as well as the book's brevity, will make the story appealing to reluctant readers.
The Publisher's Weekly review relies heavily on plot summary and description. School Library Journal gives a better sense of the book's strengths and appeal, while still summarizing the action, and offers read-alike suggestions.
January 15, 2023
Childhood favorite that I decided to give a re-read. It was shorter than I remembered but still highly entertaining. Always nice when books like this hold up!
February 24, 2016
I really like the plot I really like the plot I really like the plot I really like the plot I really like the plot I really like the plot I really like the plot I really like the plot
May 15, 2013
A slim book with a slim story. There's a Prince and his whipping boy. The whipping boy takes the punishment when the prince does bad, which he does with regularity. Bored, the prince runs away and drags the whipping boy along as his "manservant." They encounter cutthroat highwaymen, dancing bears, a potato vendor, rat-catchers, and other things out of the realm of the prince's experience. In the process, the two bond.
The story is lively enough. The language simple, sometimes engaging, but often just bland. The characters are exactly what you would expect -- the pampered prince who seeks some real experience, the clever and independent whipping boy. And the whole thing is cute, but veered too often toward the condescending for my taste. I would like this just a bit more if Fleischman did not rub our faces so thoroughly in the points he is trying to make for the kids. The best kids literature is just good literature. The obvious moralizing, it seems to me, rests upon an understanding of kids as being less savvy than they actually are. But otherwise, I thought this was a well-told, fairly enjoyable, but sliht tale.
The story is lively enough. The language simple, sometimes engaging, but often just bland. The characters are exactly what you would expect -- the pampered prince who seeks some real experience, the clever and independent whipping boy. And the whole thing is cute, but veered too often toward the condescending for my taste. I would like this just a bit more if Fleischman did not rub our faces so thoroughly in the points he is trying to make for the kids. The best kids literature is just good literature. The obvious moralizing, it seems to me, rests upon an understanding of kids as being less savvy than they actually are. But otherwise, I thought this was a well-told, fairly enjoyable, but sliht tale.
February 14, 2020
I remember my mom reading this story to us when we were young. It's okay; not a favorite and after a second read, I find it the same. I could see some people liking it though.
Cleanliness:
Children's Bad Words
Mild Obscenities & Substitutions - 2 Incidents: Blast him, what the blazes
Name Calling - 21 Incidents: Your Royal Awfulness, rascal, Grand Turnip of China, dim-witted, royal tadpole, numskulls, Catchpenny rogues, curs, cloven-footed blockheads, donkeys, greedy little snipe, nitwits, dunce, blabber-tongued hateful prince, scurvy rascals, simpletons, little toad, scurvy riffraff. "Prince Brat" is used several times throughout the book.
Religious Profanity - 3 Incidents: Lawks. Gaw is used a number of times throughout the book.
Attitudes/Disobedience - 1 Incident: The Prince plays mean tricks and does not care that another boy gets his spankings for his bad behavior. He changes later.
Conversation Topics - 1 Incident: Mentions beer.
Parent Takeaway
The Prince is called Prince Brat and with good reason. He plays all kinds of mean tricks and then doesn't care that his whipping boy gets his lashes. But when the Prince runs away and the Whipping Boy goes with him, they run into some bandits and adventures that will change both of their hearts to kindness towards each other.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! You’ll see my updates as I’m reading and know which books I’m liking and what I’m not finishing and why. You’ll also be able to utilize my library for looking up titles to see whether the book you’re thinking about reading next has any objectionable content or not. From swear words, to romance, to bad attitudes (in children’s books), I cover it all!
Cleanliness:
Children's Bad Words
Mild Obscenities & Substitutions - 2 Incidents: Blast him, what the blazes
Name Calling - 21 Incidents: Your Royal Awfulness, rascal, Grand Turnip of China, dim-witted, royal tadpole, numskulls, Catchpenny rogues, curs, cloven-footed blockheads, donkeys, greedy little snipe, nitwits, dunce, blabber-tongued hateful prince, scurvy rascals, simpletons, little toad, scurvy riffraff. "Prince Brat" is used several times throughout the book.
Religious Profanity - 3 Incidents: Lawks. Gaw is used a number of times throughout the book.
Attitudes/Disobedience - 1 Incident: The Prince plays mean tricks and does not care that another boy gets his spankings for his bad behavior. He changes later.
Conversation Topics - 1 Incident: Mentions beer.
Parent Takeaway
The Prince is called Prince Brat and with good reason. He plays all kinds of mean tricks and then doesn't care that his whipping boy gets his lashes. But when the Prince runs away and the Whipping Boy goes with him, they run into some bandits and adventures that will change both of their hearts to kindness towards each other.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! You’ll see my updates as I’m reading and know which books I’m liking and what I’m not finishing and why. You’ll also be able to utilize my library for looking up titles to see whether the book you’re thinking about reading next has any objectionable content or not. From swear words, to romance, to bad attitudes (in children’s books), I cover it all!
April 9, 2014
This is a terrible book that I was forced to read in fifth grade. I was put into a group of other kids who were also made to read this miserable piece of fiction against our will, and it was so bad, that I was able to persuade my teacher to put me in another group. I thought it'd be better, but everyone else in that group were way ahead of me and understood a lot of it. It was called "The Westing Game" and it was by some guy who doesn't know how to write, and it would take me forever to catch up to the other kids. I never did, so I was put back in the Whipping Boy's group again, but the kids in that one had already finished it.
I was surprised that they did, because it was SO boring. It's about a super annoying, spoiled, bratty prince in some castle, and he hates it there because who-knows and who-cares?, so he runs away and the Whipping Boy, who receives all of the dumb prince's punishments, goes after him and soon finds Prince Twit and plans to take him back to the kingdom, but some big hairy guy and his dumb friend come to kidnap them. They take the Whipping Boy and the prince to their barn and write a ransom note, but the two kids run away and go to the fair and meet a kid with a flute and can summon an entire hoard of rats to go and trample some sorry chump. Speaking of chumps, the hairy man and his pal go to capture them again, so the piccolo player, the prince and the whipping boy go hide in the sewers, the kidnappers go after them, the flute friend plays his instrument, thousands of rats come and chase the two idiots away and the Whipping Boy and the jerky Prince head back to the castle and they live happily ever after, after they learn the meaning of friendship. Oh, and a bear comes and wrestles the big hairy guy sometime before the end.
This is a terrible book because it has a miserable plot and no climax.
I was surprised that they did, because it was SO boring. It's about a super annoying, spoiled, bratty prince in some castle, and he hates it there because who-knows and who-cares?, so he runs away and the Whipping Boy, who receives all of the dumb prince's punishments, goes after him and soon finds Prince Twit and plans to take him back to the kingdom, but some big hairy guy and his dumb friend come to kidnap them. They take the Whipping Boy and the prince to their barn and write a ransom note, but the two kids run away and go to the fair and meet a kid with a flute and can summon an entire hoard of rats to go and trample some sorry chump. Speaking of chumps, the hairy man and his pal go to capture them again, so the piccolo player, the prince and the whipping boy go hide in the sewers, the kidnappers go after them, the flute friend plays his instrument, thousands of rats come and chase the two idiots away and the Whipping Boy and the jerky Prince head back to the castle and they live happily ever after, after they learn the meaning of friendship. Oh, and a bear comes and wrestles the big hairy guy sometime before the end.
This is a terrible book because it has a miserable plot and no climax.
February 4, 2023
I started this book back in the mid 90s for our school's reading challenge. I still remember the exact page I quit reading on. The artwork freaked me out a little and right then and there my 3rd grade self said "I quit." Fast-forward 30 years or so and I finally finished it. Turns out I really like it. Turns out my class really liked it, as well. Short, sweet, and with a very poignant message. Classic tale and for good reason, too!
May 16, 2015
Great choice for reluctant readers. Quite a slight book. I know it is a hit with children who want a short read when choosing a book from their summer reading list. Good writing and a few action packed pages but not my favorite Newbery.
February 22, 2018
Very cute. I can see why teachers went all in on this one. Lots of teaching material and an enjoyable read.
September 17, 2018
Allison was right. Bland. 😶
May 27, 2017
This review also appears on my blog, .
The Whipping Boy is a slim historical fiction novel that won the Newbery Medal back in 1987. It’s the story of Prince Horace, also called Prince Brat, who often misbehaves on purpose in order to see his whipping boy, Jemmy, get punished. When the prince runs away and Jemmy follows, they fall in with some criminals and must switch places in order to outsmart them and make their escape.
Of all the relationships presented in children’s books, this one, between a prince and the boy who is punished daily on his behalf, is one of the most unusual and the most interesting. Though the story is mainly an adventure, following the two boys as they try to outsmart a pair of ne’er-do-wells, it also raises a lot of important questions about wealth, status, education, and justice. The prince is rich and powerful, but he has never learned to read or write because he is always busy misbehaving. The whipping boy, however, who can afford to take nothing for granted, has learned the lessons intended for the prince and is fully literate. Inside the castle, the prince’s crown gives him authority; outside the castle walls, Jemmy becomes the powerful one because he can read and write. When the boys trade places, it’s not just a cute Parent Trap-esque plot device. Instead, the swap is used to illustrate the mostly arbitrary societal constructs that separate the haves from the have-nots. The reader learns, without explicitly being taught, that there are different types of riches, and that the last can suddenly be first when circumstances shift and change.
There are many other elements to this book that make it great. I’m sure kids are pleased to see Prince Brat get his comeuppance after Jemmy has endured so many beatings in his stead, but I bet they enjoy his journey toward redemption just as much. Each character the boys meet on their journey back to the castle is colorful and memorable, and the boys� clever plan for finally escaping their captors makes for a very satisfying ending.
This book reminds me a lot of The Tale of Despereaux, and I think fans of one will equally enjoy the other. It’s also a nice, quick read with lots of action that a reluctant reader might be willing to try over something longer and more intimidating. I like Sid Fleischman’s straightforward writing style, and though I saw the happy ending coming from the beginning, the road he took to get there was thoroughly enjoyable.
The Whipping Boy is a slim historical fiction novel that won the Newbery Medal back in 1987. It’s the story of Prince Horace, also called Prince Brat, who often misbehaves on purpose in order to see his whipping boy, Jemmy, get punished. When the prince runs away and Jemmy follows, they fall in with some criminals and must switch places in order to outsmart them and make their escape.
Of all the relationships presented in children’s books, this one, between a prince and the boy who is punished daily on his behalf, is one of the most unusual and the most interesting. Though the story is mainly an adventure, following the two boys as they try to outsmart a pair of ne’er-do-wells, it also raises a lot of important questions about wealth, status, education, and justice. The prince is rich and powerful, but he has never learned to read or write because he is always busy misbehaving. The whipping boy, however, who can afford to take nothing for granted, has learned the lessons intended for the prince and is fully literate. Inside the castle, the prince’s crown gives him authority; outside the castle walls, Jemmy becomes the powerful one because he can read and write. When the boys trade places, it’s not just a cute Parent Trap-esque plot device. Instead, the swap is used to illustrate the mostly arbitrary societal constructs that separate the haves from the have-nots. The reader learns, without explicitly being taught, that there are different types of riches, and that the last can suddenly be first when circumstances shift and change.
There are many other elements to this book that make it great. I’m sure kids are pleased to see Prince Brat get his comeuppance after Jemmy has endured so many beatings in his stead, but I bet they enjoy his journey toward redemption just as much. Each character the boys meet on their journey back to the castle is colorful and memorable, and the boys� clever plan for finally escaping their captors makes for a very satisfying ending.
This book reminds me a lot of The Tale of Despereaux, and I think fans of one will equally enjoy the other. It’s also a nice, quick read with lots of action that a reluctant reader might be willing to try over something longer and more intimidating. I like Sid Fleischman’s straightforward writing style, and though I saw the happy ending coming from the beginning, the road he took to get there was thoroughly enjoyable.
January 8, 2020
I so remember reading this book when I was young; and I feel like I relatively liked it. I picked it up again to read as a read aloud to my class of eighth graders (below their level, yes, but engaging [mostly] nonetheless) for something "quick". I had no recollection of how different the language was or how odd the storytelling.
This is the story of Jemmy, a whipping boy, and Prince Brat (Horace), a prince ..., and the adventures [trouble] they find themselves in when they run away from the castle. They meet some colorful characters along the way, and pick up some lessons that they depart to their audience as the story progresses.
I have opted to rate this 2-stars, mostly because I am not sure how much my students got out of it, and even how much the words themselves (at times) were understandable. Language such as the exclamation of gaw by Jemmy every other word; faw, used often by one of the villains of the story; and sentences such as, contrary as a mule, it is possible my students opted to tune out while listening as opposed to tuning in.
Regardless, this story is a classic (it is even a Newbery Medal winner - circa 1987) and perhaps even warrants a few chuckles here and again.
This is the story of Jemmy, a whipping boy, and Prince Brat (Horace), a prince ..., and the adventures [trouble] they find themselves in when they run away from the castle. They meet some colorful characters along the way, and pick up some lessons that they depart to their audience as the story progresses.
I have opted to rate this 2-stars, mostly because I am not sure how much my students got out of it, and even how much the words themselves (at times) were understandable. Language such as the exclamation of gaw by Jemmy every other word; faw, used often by one of the villains of the story; and sentences such as, contrary as a mule, it is possible my students opted to tune out while listening as opposed to tuning in.
Regardless, this story is a classic (it is even a Newbery Medal winner - circa 1987) and perhaps even warrants a few chuckles here and again.
May 14, 2023
An older Newbery winner that isn't dated. There's a note in the back of my copy stating that the concept of the whipping boy as a stand-in to take punishment for a misbehaving royal is actually historical fact, though this is a fictional story. The story is rather short but fairly fleshed out for the target audience of upper chapter book readers and lower middle grade. The highlight of the book is the relationship that develops between the bratty prince and the ratcatcher's-son-turned-whipping-boy. Themes of socioeconomic class, importance of education, and loyalty are explored, making this a good candidate for classroom or book club discussion. I'm not sure how even a simpleton like Cutwater could mistake a bear for a human boy, but that's not a major flaw.
July 3, 2014
I'm a little baffled as to how and why exactly the committee found this "distinguished" enough to take home the medal. Yes, it's got good morals. Yes, it's got kid appeal (something Newberies usually lack in boatloads). Yes, it's entertaining. But the Newbery? This is such a doggone short book that I'm surprised it even made it onto the discussion table in the first place. But on the positive side, it's a nice little read, one of those books that you can give to a young kid and think confidently that you've just given them a good early-reader book with substance.
March 20, 2015
This is a great read aloud. A young prince seems to be terribly spoiled, even to the point of being called Prince Brat. He decides to run off with his whipping boy and they have some great adventures- The prince makes some good changes to his behavior and he develops a good friendship with Jemmy too. Lots of new vocab in this book. It is good to show the changes in a character over time.
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May 17, 2019I read this at 4th grade, literature circle :)
March 25, 2020
Short ditty... sort of a life lesson, don't be the whipping boy for someone that doesn't like you.. they will let you be beat to death.
Happy Reading.
Happy Reading.
December 27, 2024
VERY quick read it was only like 100 pages. I thought it was cute, it felt like a bedtime story.
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