I vividly remember reading 'The Whipping Boy' with my daughter during her grade school days. It was a truly wonderful experience that has left me with cherished memories.

As we delved into the story, we found ourselves completely engrossed in its captivating plot and endearing characters. The book had a unique charm that appealed to both of us.

Our discussions about the content were lively and engaging. We shared our thoughts and feelings, and it was a great opportunity for us to bond and connect on a deeper level.

Overall, reading 'The Whipping Boy' with my daughter was a memorable and enjoyable experience. It is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great read.

This book was kind of strange,

but my boys and I truly enjoyed it.

It is written for approximately a third grade level,

which makes it accessible and engaging for young readers.

The story features some really cute characters

that my boys couldn't help but love.

Each character had its own unique personality and traits,

which added to the charm of the book.

Moreover, the plot was a bit silly,

but that's what made it so much fun.

We found ourselves laughing out loud at some of the absurd situations and events that took place.

Overall, this book was a great read for my boys and me,

and we would highly recommend it to other families with young children.

The 7-year-old said that he didn't fully understand this particular one.

I thought the language was extremely unusual and difficult to "translate" as it was full of idioms that are not really in current use and historical elements that we haven't yet studied. That kind of thing.

So we docked it a star. However, we still enjoyed this nice tale of the Prince Brat who learns what it means to have a real friend.

Probably more appropriate for a slightly older kiddo, it's a short book with short chapters and delightful monochrome illustrations.

I thought it was a cute story with some challenging sentence construction and just enough gore (not really) to thrill my little ghoul.

It's a book that manages to engage the reader with its unique language and charming storyline, despite the initial difficulties in comprehension.

The illustrations add to the overall appeal, making it a visually pleasing read as well.

Although it may not be perfect, it still has enough elements to make it an enjoyable and worthwhile book for children.

This book truly cracked me up!

Prince Horace is the naughtiest child in the vicinity. Everyone refers to him as Prince Brat behind his back. He is well aware that he can get away with anything, and poor Jemmy always has to take the whippings on his behalf. Despite his mischievous nature, his life is rather dull. So, he makes the decision to run away, taking his whipping boy along with him.

What ensues is a series of random adventures that gradually become more and more thrilling. The boys find themselves trying to escape from a couple of crooks who have kidnapped them. Along the way, they encounter various challenges and obstacles that test their courage and resourcefulness.

By the end of their adventures, Prince Horace has undergone a remarkable transformation. He has learned valuable lessons about responsibility, friendship, and the consequences of his actions. This book is a delightful read that will keep you entertained from start to finish.

Love this one.

It is a classic that I have known since childhood.

The story is super funny and always brings a smile to my face.

I vividly remember the first time I read it, being completely immersed in its humorous plot and charming characters.

Now that I have my own kids, I truly hope they will like it as much as I do.

I can't wait to share this wonderful story with them and see their eyes light up with joy and excitement.

I believe it will become a precious memory for them, just like it is for me.

This classic story has stood the test of time and continues to touch the hearts of generations.

It is not only entertaining but also teaches valuable lessons in a fun and engaging way.

I am confident that my kids will fall in love with it and cherish it for a long time to come.

I truly relished this book as it gave the sensation of being right there.

This book centered around the era when wealthy individuals had whipping boys.

In case you're unfamiliar with what a whipping boy is, it was like this: if a rich little boy got into trouble, he wouldn't be whipped; instead, their whipping boy would take the punishment.

It's disheartening that the little kids couldn't be hit directly, and another child had to endure the whipping on their behalf.

We all understand that the naughty kid wasn't learning from this. In fact, it would cause the naughty kid to engage in more and more bad behavior.

They didn't care because they weren't the ones getting whipped; it was the other kid who was suffering.

This concept really makes one think about the fairness and morality of such a practice in the past.

It also shows how different society was back then compared to today.

Overall, this book provided an interesting and thought-provoking look into a bygone era.

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! It's truly wonderful to see how he engages with the story.

So glad this has become a family affair! We all gather together, listening intently as I read each page.

The Whipping Boy has not only introduced me to a great classic but has also created beautiful memories for our family.

I'm looking forward to exploring more children's literature with my kids and sharing these precious moments with them.

Who knows what other hidden gems we'll discover along the way?

Here’s a question that makes you think: Which would you rather be – a rat-catcher or a whipping boy?

On one hand, the rat-catcher’s job is to catch those pesky rats. It might not be the most glamorous job, but at least you’re not the one getting whipped.

On the other hand, the whipping boy has a much worse fate. He gets whipped a lot, especially when the prince is known throughout the kingdom as Prince Brat.

Jemmy, an orphan who was plucked from the streets to be His Highness’s whipping boy, definitely knows which he prefers. If he had a choice, he’d trade in his fancy silk and velvet clothes for rags and be back in the sewers in an instant.

But unfortunately for Jemmy, he doesn’t have a choice. And then, one fateful night, Prince Brat decides to embark 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 relatively slim book, with less than one hundred pages, large type, and generous margins. The writing is straightforward, both in style and substance.

The story gets set up in just two chapters, which is a total of five pages (not counting the illustrations). Despite its brevity, Fleischman’s writing is sure and bold. The characters come to life on the pages, fully formed and unique.

Every now and then, Fleischman uses beautiful and evocative phrases in his short sentences, like “a thoroughbred of the streets” and “fuming like a stovepipe.” The descriptions of places are also vivid, with just a few words painting a clear picture, like the great sewers, the dark and garlicky hut, and the mist-filled forest.

The king, the kingdom, and the city are all unnamed, and the time period is undefined. But details suggest it might be the eighteenth century. However, it doesn’t really matter. The Whipping Boy is like a fairy tale in this way, free from the constraints of a specific place or time.

There is a charming simplicity to The Whipping Boy. And when simplicity is executed by a master like Fleischman, it can be truly wonderful. This story is full of adventure and comedy, and at its core, it’s a heartwarming look at two boys who are both, in their own ways, deprived.

The Whipping Boy is a children’s book, but it’s one that adults can enjoy too. No one is too old to appreciate the humor, the adventure, or the humanity in this delightful story.

This article is truly a gem for school!

When the kids read it, they were immediately captivated.

The content was engaging and interesting, holding their attention from start to finish.

It was filled with vivid descriptions and exciting stories that brought the words to life.

The kids couldn't put it down and were eager to share their thoughts and feelings about it with their classmates.

It not only entertained them but also taught them valuable lessons and expanded their vocabulary.

Overall, it was a huge hit among the students and a great addition to their school curriculum.

We highly recommend this article to all educators looking for quality reading materials for their students.

It's sure to spark their imagination and love for reading.

The Good:

A Newbery winner that kids might actually like? Who knew it was possible? There are numerous Newbery winners that I, as a kid, wouldn't have been able to endure. However, this one is different. I might have truly relished this story. It's a lightning-fast, humorous adventure revolving around a prince and his whipping boy who accidentally flee together. At first, they despise each other. But when they're held hostage by thieves, they must set aside their differences to escape.

This novel consists of only 90 pages, yet the characters undergo significant changes throughout the story. They learn to listen to one another. They also discover that sometimes you're compelled to work with stupid, pompous individuals. You can't change those people, so you have to figure out ways to succeed despite them. That's a valuable life lesson.

“What was he looking for, a prince in fine velvets and a crown cocked on his head? Was it clothes that made a prince, Jemmy wondered, just as rags made a street boy?” – The Whipping Boy

The Bad:

The plot isn't the most original. I have the impression that there are countless stories of bored princes living among commoners in the world. The characters aren't especially original either. The prince is a spoiled brat. (He's even nicknamed “Brat.”) The whipping boy is the quick-witted one who gets them out of trouble. I've witnessed all of this before.

The Bottom Line:

There's something in this book for everybody. Kids would appreciate the rapid pace and slapstick humor. Adults would like the themes and the lively writing style.

Want to see more of my reviews? I have a blog.

**** Newberry Medal (1987) ****

This is a rather engaging tale that centers around a bratty prince. He has a whipping boy, who is essentially a substitute for taking the punishments meant for the prince. The story unfolds as they embark on an adventure outside the castle walls. The whipping boy is someone who is educated alongside the prince but has to endure the punishments instead.

The narrative is brimming with vivid and humorous characters. It progresses at a frenetic pace, taking the readers from the majestic Royal Castle to the rather unhygienic rat-infested sewers. And to add to the excitement, there is a bear! This unexpected addition of the bear makes the adventure even more thrilling and unpredictable. The story manages to keep the readers on the edge of their seats, eager to find out what will happen next in the lives of the prince and his whipping boy.

Overall, it's a captivating story that combines elements of adventure, humor, and a touch of the unexpected to create a memorable reading experience.

As I persist in my pursuit to read all 99 Newbery Award winners prior to the announcement of the 100th in 2022, I lately picked up The Whipping Boy. I'm almost 99% sure that I read this 1987 Newbery Winner during my grade school days. However, all that I could recall was that it is founded on a historical fact. In the past, princes had whipping boys hired in the castle to endure whippings whenever the princes misbehaved. Wow! That's an extremely remarkable fact to base a children's book upon! Fortunately, The Whipping Boy, despite its peculiar foundation, withstands the test of time.

The writing style is straightforward and substantial for children. The story is uncomplicated, yet for the intended reading age, some words might likely need to be looked up. It's a great means to expand vocabulary.

In just a few pages, Fleischman infuses his story with a powerful impact. Yes, the plot is foreseeable and unrealistic. But I relish the fairy tale element that this implies.

I would hope that no one is too advanced in age to appreciate the humor, adventure, or humanity present in this novel. It's a wonderful option for reluctant readers.