Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
32(32%)
4 stars
28(28%)
3 stars
40(40%)
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100 reviews
July 15,2025
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Prince Brat is a naughty child who always misbehaves. However, when he does something wrong, it is not him who gets punished. Instead, there is a stand-in named Jemmy who takes his whipping. This is because it is forbidden to spank the heir to the throne. Jemmy is a poor, homeless boy who was brought to the castle to fulfill this role of the whipping boy.

This short children's novel quickly leads the two boys into a series of adventures. They experience a role reversal, a kidnapping, and the need to trust each other. The story is not only entertaining but also has some deeper lessons to offer. For example, lying is a common strategy for the boys to deal with difficult situations, but they also learn that quick wits and clever thinking can help them find solutions in the midst of problems.

The Newbery Award recipient in 1987, this story shares the developing relationship between a brat and a street-wise, intelligent lad. It shows how two very different boys can come together and learn from each other.

It is a great read for children and adults alike, as it teaches valuable lessons about friendship, trust, and problem-solving.

The story is engaging and full of surprises, keeping the reader hooked from beginning to end.

Overall, it is a wonderful book that is sure to be enjoyed by all.
July 15,2025
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The story is presented in a comical and almost slapstick manner, which means that the characters are not developed in great depth. However, the themes explored within it are quite serious, making it both enjoyable and a great starting point for in-depth discussions.

I had the opportunity to read this story with a small group of pre-third and pre-fourth grade ESL students. They were able to easily follow the plot and found themselves laughing at the various situations that unfolded.

The point of view is from Jemmy, a whipping boy. Whenever the prince, affectionately nicknamed Prince Brat, misbehaves, it is Jemmy who suffers the consequences and gets whipped. The prince is frustrated and angry with Jemmy because he refuses to cry when whipped.

The real action kicks off when Prince Brat forces Jemmy to go with him when he decides to run away. Along the way, two criminals recognize that one of them is the prince and decide to kidnap them in the hopes of getting a ransom. This leads to great frustration for Jemmy, as the prince continuously messes up his carefully laid escape plans, which are designed to get them both away from the criminals and the prince himself.

Thankfully, all ends well, and in the process, the prince learns far more than Jemmy. This story offers a refreshing twist on the classic theme of a prince dressing as a pauper and developing empathy.
July 15,2025
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This book is, without a doubt, quite possibly the most awful one I’ve ever had the misfortune to glaze my eyes over.

From the very first page, it fails to engage or capture my interest. The writing is dull and lacks any sort of spark or creativity.

The characters are one-dimensional and unlikable, making it difficult to form any sort of connection with them.

The plot is convoluted and goes nowhere, leaving me feeling frustrated and disappointed.

I thoroughly disenjoyed every moment of reading this book and would not recommend it to anyone.

It’s a waste of time and money, and I can only hope that future books I pick up will be of a much higher quality.
July 15,2025
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I recently read this Newbery-award winning classic aloud to my 8-year-old son. He absolutely loved it! The characters were so vivid and engaging, and the exciting plot twists kept him on the edge of his seat. The unexpected friendships that developed throughout the story were also a big hit with him.


However, reading it aloud was not without its challenges. There were parts of the book that I really struggled to get through. I found myself stumbling over the words and getting really tired of saying "Gaw!" all the time. But despite these difficulties, I'm so glad that we read this book together. It was a wonderful bonding experience for us, and it introduced my son to some great literature.


I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read aloud for their child. It's a classic for a reason, and it's sure to be enjoyed by kids of all ages.

July 15,2025
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My wife is an elementary school teacher, and as a result, there are hundreds of young and YA books scattered around our house.

Every now and then, I find myself picking one of them up and delving into its pages. In fact, I've read most of the books she has in the house.

This week, I happened to choose "The Whipping Boy."

Oh my goodness, it was a fantastic read! The story was captivating from start to finish. The plot was full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

But what really stood out was the great character development. Each character was unique and had their own flaws and strengths.

I was completely immersed in the world of the book and found myself rooting for the main characters all the way through.

I would highly recommend "The Whipping Boy" to anyone looking for a great read, whether you're a child or an adult. It's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

July 15,2025
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“Gaw!” as Jemmy would say.

Why was this book so good? It really made me tear up a little. I was truly surprised by it. What a charming story it is, filled with mischief, adventure, and wholesomeness. There are two kids who initially can't stand each other, but then they learn to trust one another and end up becoming the best of friends.

“I wish I were like you,” muttered the prince. Jemmy was amazed and said, “Like me!” The prince continued, “You're not afraid of anything.”

“Reckon I do trust you,” said Jemmy. And the prince replied, “I won't go back to the castle unless you go with me.” “Gaw!”

“So help me, if it's a friend you ran off looking for, it's a friend you found!” - Jemmy.

“One more thing!” The king broke into a smile you could warm your hands over. “If you boys decide to run away again, take me with you.” This story is not only about the friendship between the two kids but also about the unexpected turns and the lessons they learn along the way. It shows that even the most unlikely pairs can become great friends and that trust and understanding can overcome initial differences.
July 15,2025
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My daughter picked up this book and after reading it, she excitedly asked me to give it a try as well.

It turns out to be a short little gem that is filled with fun and humor. The story revolves around a spoiled prince and his whipping boy.

As I delved into the pages, I found myself thoroughly entertained. The antics and adventures of the two main characters were quite engaging and kept me turning the pages.

However, I must admit that while it was an enjoyable read, it didn't really have any profound or deep messages. It was more of a light-hearted and fluffy story that provided a quick escape from reality.

Nonetheless, it was a pleasant way to spend some time and I can see why my daughter enjoyed it so much.
July 15,2025
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This was an extremely enjoyable read.

I was truly glad to witness the remarkable transformation of Prince Brat. At the beginning, he was completely self-centered, only caring about his own desires and pleasures. However, as the story progressed, he gradually began to open his eyes and heart to the needs and feelings of others.

It was a heartwarming sight to see him showing concern for those around him and taking steps to make a positive difference.

This change in Prince Brat not only made the story more engaging but also taught an important lesson about the power of empathy and kindness.

Overall, it was a wonderful read that left me with a sense of satisfaction and a smile on my face :).
July 15,2025
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This was recommended by several friends who read it with their kids.

I was skeptical, mostly because a) what a horrible title, and b) what a horrible cover (I have seen 3 different covers and all of them are pretty bad).

So, I was pleasantly surprised when I ended up enjoying the book.

The horrible premise of the book—a street boy who is taken into the castle to be whipped in place of the prince—turns out to be somewhat factual.

In the book, the prince runs away and his whipping boy goes with him. They have lots of adventures along the way.

There is good character development as the two boys grow and change through their experiences.

The relationship between the prince and the whipping boy evolves, and they learn from each other.

The story also has a satisfactory ending that ties up the loose ends and leaves the reader feeling content.

Overall, despite my initial misgivings, I found this book to be an enjoyable read with engaging characters and an interesting plot.

It's a great choice for kids and adults alike who enjoy adventure stories with a bit of history and a touch of mystery.

I would definitely recommend it to others.
July 15,2025
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This is a really cute piece.

I can clearly understand the reason why teachers are so enthusiastic about it.

There is an abundance of teaching material within it, which makes it extremely valuable for educational purposes.

Moreover, it is also an enjoyable read, which means that students will not only gain knowledge but also have a great time while going through it.

The combination of useful content and an engaging style makes this a truly remarkable piece that is bound to capture the attention of both teachers and students alike.

It has the potential to enhance the learning experience and make it more interesting and effective.

Overall, it is a great find and I can see why it has received such positive feedback from teachers.
July 15,2025
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A book about beating children? Count me in.

Just kidding! This is actually a good book though. The lessons it contains are quite interesting. Firstly, it advises not to ever go outside. This might seem a bit extreme, but perhaps there are hidden dangers out there that we are not aware of. Secondly, if you do decide to go outside, it is recommended to bring a frenemy. A frenemy can be both a friend and an enemy, and having one by your side might provide some unexpected advantages. Thirdly, even if you act the part perfectly, nobody will believe you. This shows that appearances can be deceiving, and people are often more skeptical than we think. Finally, the book mentions that dancing bears just wanna have fun. This might seem like a random statement, but perhaps it is a metaphor for something deeper. Overall, this book offers some unique perspectives and lessons that are worth considering.

Gaw!
July 15,2025
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I really hate to say this, but I did not enjoy this book at all.

I read it in a book club during my grade school days, and I had high hopes that I would like it. However, quite frankly, I don't understand why it has a Newberry award.

I will not spoil the book in case you want to read it, but I thought the plot was confusing. I understood it completely, yet I found it shortsighted. The ending felt rushed, and there was no real climax in the story.

We had to study this book, and I found there was nothing much to write about. It was basically about a prince who had a "manservant" called Jemmy. Whenever the prince misbehaved or did something wrong, Jemmy would get whipped.

The young prince then decides to run away with the whipping boy, and they go on an "adventure." Along the way, the prince makes some behavioral changes, and they become friends.

I felt that you could see right through the story. I guess if you are in between books and need a quick read, this might be okay. But I would not recommend it. I can understand why some people enjoy this book, but it simply wasn't for me.
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