Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
32(32%)
4 stars
28(28%)
3 stars
40(40%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 15,2025
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I've been indulging in reading such long and hefty books lately that when I came across something short, it was truly a breath of fresh air.

This particular piece of writing offers both entertainment and a touch of classic storytelling.

The brevity of it doesn't sacrifice the quality or the ability to engage the reader.

In fact, it manages to pack a punch within its concise pages, leaving a lasting impression.

The story unfolds in a way that keeps you hooked from the very beginning until the end.

It's a wonderful escape from the long tomes that I've been accustomed to, and it reminds me that sometimes, less is truly more when it comes to the art of storytelling.

I highly recommend this short read to anyone who is looking for a quick and enjoyable literary experience.

It's a gem that shines bright in the world of literature.

July 15,2025
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The Whipping Boy is a piece of young adult fiction that managed to earn a Newberry Award. However, I find myself rather puzzled as to why.

To be fair, it does have some vivid descriptions and makes use of certain good literary devices. But when it comes to the storyline, it is far from being original. It seems to follow a rather predictable path that I have seen before in many other works.

Moreover, the character development in The Whipping Boy is quite trite. The characters lack depth and fail to truly engage the reader on a deeper level.

If one is simply looking for a fun and easy read that touches on the themes of friendship and overcoming prejudice, then perhaps they may find some enjoyment in this book. But in my opinion, The Whipping Boy does not stand out as an outstanding choice among children's novels. There are many other books out there that offer more engaging storylines, more complex characters, and a more profound exploration of important themes.
July 15,2025
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While this book does paint a good picture of the time period and contain adventure, the language was difficult to read, especially for young readers.

It seems that the author might have used some archaic or complex words and sentence structures that made it a bit of a struggle for my kids to get through.

My kids and I just didn't enjoy it very much. We were looking forward to an exciting and engaging story, but unfortunately, the language barrier got in the way.

Perhaps if the book had been written in a more accessible language, it would have been a different story.

Nonetheless, it does have its merits in terms of depicting the historical context and providing some adventurous情节.

However, for young readers who are still developing their reading skills, it might not be the best choice.

July 15,2025
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This is a truly dreadful book that I was unfortunately compelled to read during my fifth grade. I was grouped with a bunch of other kids, all of us being made to read this wretched piece of fiction against our will. It was so abysmally bad that I managed to convince my teacher to transfer me to another group. I naively thought it would be an improvement, but to my dismay, everyone else in that new group was far ahead of me and seemed to understand a great deal of it. The book was called "The Westing Game" and was written by some individual who clearly had no clue about writing. It felt like it would take me an eternity to catch up with the other kids. Alas, I never did, and as a result, I was placed back in the Whipping Boy's group. However, by that time, the kids in that group had already finished reading it.

I was astonished that they had managed to do so because the book was excruciatingly boring. It centered around an extremely irritating, spoiled, and bratty prince who resided in some castle. He despised his life there for reasons that were neither clear nor particularly interesting. So, he decides to run away, and the Whipping Boy, who endures all of the dumb prince's punishments, sets off after him. Soon enough, he finds Prince Twit and devises a plan to take him back to the kingdom. But then, some big hairy man and his equally dim-witted friend show up to kidnap them. They haul the Whipping Boy and the prince off to their barn and pen a ransom note. Miraculously, the two kids manage to escape and make their way to the fair, where they encounter a kid with a flute who has the ability to summon an entire horde of rats to trample some poor sap. Speaking of saps, the hairy man and his pal attempt to recapture them once more. So, the piccolo player, the prince, and the Whipping Boy seek refuge in the sewers. The kidnappers pursue them, but the flute-playing friend saves the day by playing his instrument, causing thousands of rats to descend and drive the two idiots away. Finally, the Whipping Boy and the obnoxious Prince make their way back to the castle, and after learning the meaning of friendship, they live happily ever after. Oh, and just for good measure, a bear shows up and wrestles the big hairy guy sometime before the end.

In conclusion, this is a truly terrible book as it has a miserable plot that lacks any real climax.

It fails to engage the reader and leaves one feeling thoroughly disappointed.

I would not recommend this book to anyone, especially not to fifth graders who deserve better literary experiences.

July 15,2025
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I really enjoyed this quick read!

Recently, I made a decision to set the goal of reading all the Newbery Award winning books.

With this in mind, I went to the library and picked up a couple of them.

This particular book was a lot of fun to read.

I have a feeling that the kids would really enjoy it too.

The story was engaging and full of interesting characters and plot twists.

It was a great way to spend some time and escape into a different world.

I'm looking forward to reading more of the Newbery Award winning books and seeing what other wonderful stories they have to offer.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fun and easy read.

Whether you're a kid or an adult, you're sure to enjoy it.
July 15,2025
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Memory lane is indeed a fascinating place to explore.

From time to time, I enjoy going back to the books I read in the past. I wonder how much I can recall and if the aspects that I adored then still hold true today. This particular read was one of my strange loves. I was a bit perplexed by it as it didn't revolve around animals, which was my main focus during that specific period of my life.

However, after pondering over it for a few days, I believe I have finally grasped the connection. I think this book was read around the same time I got acquainted with two other mischievous boys, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Maybe I had an interest in boys and their adventures, or perhaps the girl adventure books were not as readily available (if they even existed at all).

Now I'm wondering if there were any such books. Laura Ingalls Wilder's works would definitely count (at least in my opinion), but who else? Hmm...

ANYWAY, after this old lady's rereview, I still consider this a great book. So, it shall remain on my favorite shelf.
July 15,2025
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Newberry.

If I had the option, I would rate it two and a half. This book is truly strange. It's almost as if it were something that Mel Brooks might have written when he was a child.

The story takes unexpected turns and the characters are quite unique. There are elements that are both humorous and a bit absurd.

It's not your typical read, but it does have a certain charm. However, it also has its flaws. Some parts feel a bit disjointed and the pacing could be improved.

Overall, it's an interesting book that might appeal to those who enjoy something out of the ordinary. But it's not without its drawbacks.
July 15,2025
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I read aloud with my 9-year-old. The book had short and easy chapters that he could have read by himself without much difficulty. However, we really enjoyed having discussions about the various themes that the book presented.

Themes such as selfishness, spoiledness, poverty, and growth were explored in the story. It was a great opportunity for us to talk about these important concepts and how they relate to our lives.

Through the discussions, my son was able to gain a better understanding of the characters' actions and motivations. He also learned valuable lessons about empathy, kindness, and the importance of helping others.

Reading aloud with my 9-year-old not only strengthened our bond but also provided a platform for meaningful conversations about important life lessons. It was a truly enjoyable and educational experience for both of us.
July 15,2025
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There was this movie that we sometimes watched at my house, titled "Prince Brat and the Whipping Boy." I really liked it a great deal. In fact, I didn't even know that it was originally a book until I saw it recently on a friend's shelf. Naturally, I just had to borrow it!

I didn't anticipate the book to be an exact replica of the movie. This is because most conversions from book to movie don't turn out to be exactly the same. And indeed, it wasn't an exact match. However, it was still filled with the phrases and lessons that I had relished in the film. Some of the characters were a little different. There were actually a bit fewer characters in the book compared to the movie. This included Jemmy's younger sister and Prince Horace's grandmother. I missed these characters while reading. But overall, I discovered that the story was just as enjoyable in the book as it was in the movie. And I'm not the slightest bit sorry for reading this kids' book. It was a wonderful experience that allowed me to explore the story in a different medium and gain new perspectives.
July 15,2025
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I recently decided to give a re-read to one of my childhood favorites. To my surprise, it was shorter than I had remembered. However, that didn't stop it from being highly entertaining. The story still had the same charm and excitement that it did when I was a child.


It's always nice when books like this hold up over time. They can transport us back to a simpler time and bring back fond memories. This particular book was no exception. I found myself getting lost in the story and enjoying every moment.


Even though it was shorter than expected, it was still a great read. It reminded me of the power of a good book and how it can have a lasting impact on our lives. I'm glad I decided to give it another chance and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and engaging read.

July 15,2025
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The Whipping Boy is an extremely concise book.

It can be classified as either historical fiction or a classical work within its genre.

I rate it 3 stars because, given its brevity, numerous events unfold at a breakneck pace with minimal description. Everything seems to pass by far too rapidly.

If the author had incorporated more details and descriptions into the book, I firmly believe it would have been significantly improved.

I recommend this book to anyone who is lagging behind in the 40-Book Challenge and requires a quick read to catch up.

Despite its flaws, it can still offer a certain level of entertainment and serve as a useful addition to one's reading list, especially for those in a hurry to complete a book.

However, for those seeking a more in-depth and immersive reading experience, this book may not fully satisfy their expectations.

Nevertheless, it does have its merits and can be an interesting choice for the right reader.

Overall, The Whipping Boy is a short but somewhat rushed book that has the potential to be better with more detailed writing.

July 15,2025
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VERY quick read it was only like 100 pages. I thought it was cute, it felt like a bedtime story.


The book was an extremely quick read as it consisted of only around 100 pages. I found it to be really cute. In fact, it had a certain charm that made it feel just like a bedtime story. The simplicity of the narrative and the engaging plot made it a delight to go through. It was the kind of book that you could easily pick up and finish in a short amount of time, yet it left a lasting impression. The characters were endearing and the story had a warmth to it that made it perfect for a cozy evening read. Whether you're looking for a light-hearted escape or a gentle tale to lull you to sleep, this book fit the bill perfectly.

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