The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman (J Fiction)

The Whipping Boy

Sid Fleischman (J Fiction)

If you’re an orphan, you’d think life in a castle would be a dream come true: fancy clothes, delicious food, a royal roof over your head. But Jemmy’s life is anything but because he’s the prince’s whipping boy and must endure the constant punishments committed by the naughtiest boy in the kingdom. A boy so awful that he’s known far and wide as Prince Brat. Suffering from boredom, the prince decides to run away and demands that Jemmy accompany him. Things quickly go from bad to worse when they are kidnapped by a couple of highwaymen who seek a handsome payoff for the unlucky duo. Can Jemmy’s street smarts allow them to escape or will they be defeated by none other than the prince’s own ego?  

Fleischman’s 1987 Newbery Medal winning book about loyalty, duty, and friendship offers up a great mix of action, adventure, and humor. Near escapes and unexpected encounters will keep young readers engaged and cheering for our spunky ratcatcher as he outwits the bad guys to save a boy who has little to no regard for right or wrong. The brilliance of Fleischman’s book is the character arc of Prince Brat. He’s detestable, insufferable, infuriating, and untrustworthy yet time and again Jemmy comes to his aid out of a sense of duty and honor. Who would have thought that an orphaned sewer dweller is actually more deserving of a royal title than the heir himself, but as we watch the prince slowly transform throughout the story, we witness how far a lot of patience and a little bit of faith can go.  

French-born American novelist Anais Nin wrote, “Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” Even though Jemmy was under Prince Brat’s nose the entire time, he had to leave his regal world and set out into a new one to fully appreciate and value the person who had suffered so much for his own digressions. By showing Prince Brat what powerful gifts humility, grace, and kindness were, Jemmy was able to open up a whole new world for the spoiled prince who realized that a title, a castle, or gold doesn’t truly make you wealthy, but rather it’s having someone that you can call friend.

Rating: 5/5

Share Jemmy and Prince Brat with your class with our study guide! https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Study-Guide-The-Whipping-Boy-by-Sid-Fleischman-11901695