1987 John Newberry Medal - I truly don't understand how this particular book managed to win the Newberry Medal. Granted, the writing is decent enough. There are no glaring errors or issues with the prose. However, it all just feels so incredibly familiar. Tales of this nature have been circulating for hundreds upon hundreds of years. It doesn't bring anything truly new or revolutionary to the table. It's as if we've seen it all before. In a literary landscape that is constantly evolving and striving for innovation, this book just seems to blend in with the crowd. It lacks that spark, that unique quality that would make it stand out as truly great literature. For these reasons, I can only give it a rating of 2.5 stars. It's an okay read, but it fails to live up to the high standards that one would expect from a Newberry Medal-winning book.

I read somewhere that the Newbery has done more to turn children off from reading than to encourage it.

And I’d have to say this Newbery winning book would be a contender for that dubious award. The thought being that the Newbery is awarded to books that snooty adults think children should read instead of ones children actually want to read.

As an elementary school librarian, I can’t imagine many contemporary children choosing to read or enjoying this book. In fact, I found an enormous stack of these titles buried in my back room at the end of this school year.

I thought I should give it a try during my summer reading just in case I wanted to promote the title in the fall. Instead, I was grateful that it’s a slim novel because I found the story neither enticing nor enjoyable.

The pros for struggling readers are that it’s short and has an illustration every 10 pages or so. However, the cons are that the characters and story aren’t that much fun or interesting.

It seems that this book fails to capture the essence of what children truly look for in a good read.

Perhaps the Newbery Committee should take a closer look at what children actually enjoy and consider awarding books that are more in line with their interests.

Only then can we hope to truly encourage children to develop a love for reading.

Delightful and imaginative, this piece truly stands out. It has the power to transport readers to a world filled with wonder and creativity. The vivid descriptions and unique concepts make it a joy to read. I can already envision myself sitting down with my children in the future, sharing this enchanting story with them. As I read aloud, their eyes will light up with excitement and curiosity. They will be completely engaged, hanging on to every word. It will spark their own imaginations and inspire them to dream big. This is not just a story; it's a magical experience that I can't wait to share with my little ones.

This book was truly terrible.

The story it presented was not interesting in the slightest. It seemed rather disjointed and, in a way, didn't make much sense.

From the very beginning, it failed to capture my attention and engage me in the narrative. The characters were poorly developed, lacking depth and personality.

The plot was convoluted and full of holes, making it difficult to follow and understand.

I found myself constantly losing interest and having to force myself to keep reading.

Overall, this book was a huge disappointment and I would not recommend it to anyone.

This book was better than I expected.

When I first picked it up, I had some initial thoughts and assumptions about what it might offer. However, as I delved deeper into its pages, I was pleasantly surprised.

The story was engaging and filled with interesting characters that I quickly became invested in. The author's writing style was流畅 and easy to follow, which made the reading experience even more enjoyable.

Not only was the plot captivating, but the themes explored in the book were also thought-provoking. It made me stop and reflect on certain aspects of my own life and view things from a different perspective.

Overall, this book exceeded my expectations and I would highly recommend it to others. It's one of those rare finds that you can't put down once you start reading.

In today's privileged world, it is essential for kids to understand different aspects of history. One great way to do this is by learning about life in the 1800's.

There is a remarkable story that not only provides an interesting account but also shows the abusive nature of past cultures. In this story, Prince Horace goes through a journey of growth and learning. On the other hand, Jemmy, a sewer rat with no education, discovers that his life is not as glamorous as it may seem.

The question arises: can these boys from two截然不同的 classes get along? Especially when Jemmy is whipped whenever Prince Brat makes a mistake. This story serves as a great discussion starter for kids in the 10 to 14 age group. It encourages them to think about social inequality, the consequences of actions, and the importance of empathy and understanding.

By engaging with this story, kids can gain a deeper appreciation for the challenges and hardships that people faced in the past, and perhaps, it will also inspire them to make a positive difference in the world today.

I truly have a deep affection for the plot.

It has the power to draw me in and keep me engaged from start to finish.

The way the story unfolds, with its twists and turns, always manages to surprise me.

Each character is so well-developed that I feel as if I know them personally.

The plot is like a magical journey that takes me to different worlds and makes me experience a wide range of emotions.

Whether it's the excitement of a thrilling adventure or the heartwarming moments of love and friendship, the plot always delivers.

I can't get enough of it and find myself constantly thinking about it even after I've finished reading or watching.

It's this love for the plot that makes me a passionate fan of books, movies, and other forms of storytelling.

A quick and fast-paced story that can be devoured in just a few sittings or even within an hour or so. We thoroughly enjoyed this tale of a spoiled prince, affectionately known as Prince Brat, and the exciting adventures he embarks on with his whipping boy, Jemmy. The story is a wonderful blend of humor and amusing situations, which serves to lighten the heavier themes of ethics and loyalty. It's a captivating read that keeps you engaged from start to finish. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. We truly had a great time reading this one as a family, sharing laughs and discussing the various themes and lessons it presented. It's a story that will appeal to readers of all ages and is sure to become a favorite in any household.

A short ditty that holds a valuable life lesson. It warns us not to be the whipping boy for someone who doesn't like us. Because if we do, they will simply let us be beaten to death.

This simple yet profound message reminds us to be cautious about the people we allow to have power over us. We should not tolerate being mistreated or used by others.

It's important to stand up for ourselves and set boundaries. We should not let anyone take advantage of our kindness or vulnerability.

Happy Reading.

A quick read that takes only a few hours' time is the sole redeeming factor here. Additionally, a funny line from the king manages to bring a slight smile to my face. However, that's about all that keeps me from giving this a one-star rating.

The storyline is completely predictable from start to finish. There are no surprises or twists that manage to engage the reader or keep them on the edge of their seats. It feels like a rehash of countless other similar stories, lacking any originality or freshness.

Moreover, the characters are extremely annoying. They lack depth and complexity, coming across as one-dimensional and unlikable. Their actions and decisions often seem illogical and forced, further detracting from the overall reading experience.

In conclusion, while the quick read and the occasional funny line offer some small measure of entertainment, the predictable storyline and annoying characters ultimately make this a rather forgettable read.

I have a deep affection for this book.

Particularly, the pictures within it are truly remarkable. They play a crucial role in enhancing the storytelling.

Not only do they assist in vividly presenting the events and characters, but they also add an element of humor to the narrative.

This sense of humor is a highly desirable quality in a book, especially when it is an older one.

It makes the reading experience more engaging and enjoyable.

The combination of the well-written text and the entertaining pictures creates a unique charm that keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end.

Overall, this book is a wonderful find, and I would highly recommend it to others.

The Whipping Boy was indeed a children's book. After delving into The Hunger Games, this particular book seemed astonishingly simple, which was, of course, to be expected. It appeared that scarcely had a problem emerged when it was already resolved. For instance, the boys were out strolling and had to enter the city, flee from the bad guys, and find a place where Jemmy knew to hide. Conveniently, a hot potato man came rolling around the bend. After being apprehended by the bad guys and Prince Brat being whipped, the girl with the dancing bear just happened to show up and come to the boys' rescue. Once they escaped and were again in need of transportation, they encountered the hot potato man broken down on a hill not far away.

Although it was a bit predictable and unrealistic, it is a children's book, and I'm certain that as a child, I would have been a bit more engaged by it. I believe the story imparted a valuable lesson about friendship and standing up for those whom you don't especially like or owe anything to. When Jemmy had the opportunity to ride off with the hot potato man, he didn't take it but instead realized that Prince Brat was in need and that allowing him to come along was the right thing to do. I think the novel also taught a good moral lesson about how wealth isn't everything and that it pays to pay attention in school or during your lessons. Jemmy mentioned several times how downtrodden Prince Brat looked, or how he finally saw a glimmer of a smile, or heard him laugh for the first time. Even Prince Brat mentioned that running away was the most fun he'd ever had, despite having all the riches he could ever desire. Lastly, Jemmy listening attentively to Prince Brat's lessons well enough to know how to read and write saved them and enabled them to deceive the bad guys. Doing what is right, being a good friend, understanding that money is not everything, and paying attention in school are all excellent lessons for young children to learn.