The Whipping Boy

The Whipping Boy

By Sid Fleischman

8 ratings 10 reviews 18 followers
Interest LevelReading LevelReading A-ZATOSWord Count
Grades 4 - 8Grades 2 - 5R3.913280

Award-winning author Sid Fleischman blends the broadly comic with the deeply compassionate in this memorable novel, winner of the Newbery Medal.

A Prince and a Pauper . . . Prince Brat and his whipping boy inadvertently trade places after becoming involved with dangerous outlaws. The two boys have nothing in common and even less reason to like each other. But when they find themselves taken hostage after running away, they are left with no choice but to trust each other. "A rollicking tale of adventure and mistaken identity . . . . Robust scenes and characters are vividly evoked."—Kirkus Reviews

This briskly told tale of high adventure, taut with suspense and rich with colorful characters, was named an ALA Notable Book. Sid Fleischman's celebrated novel features brief, action-packed chapters and includes black-and-white illustrations by Caldecott Honor artist Peter Sís. "An 18th century tale about the escapades of a resourceful orphan and a spoiled young prince. . . . Full of adventure, suspense, humor, and lively characters."—The New York Times

Supports the Common Core State Standards

Publisher: Greenwillow Books
ISBN-13: 9780060521226
ISBN-10: 0060521228
Published on 4/15/2003
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 96

Book Reviews (11)

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Every time Prince Horace(a.k.a Prince Brat) ties the noble's wigs to their chair, or makes the knights fall off their horses, or puts frogs into the moat, whipping boy Jemmy needs to endure lashes of a whip.Because of all this, Jemmy hates Prince Brat. When Prince Brat makes Jemmy run away with him, he accepts. Soon after, they are caught together by Hold-Your-Nose-Billy and his accomplice Cutwater. Jemmy and Prince Brat will need to trust and help each other if they want to stay alive. This was a great book because it was funny.

I made a connection to this book, because it reminds me of a book I read years ago about a kingdom fighting to be saved. This book was interesting and had a lot of danger in it. A boy and a prince leave the castle and get kidnapped by two men. I would recommend this book to most of my friends.

I gave this book a 3 star rating ,because the book was a little boring but, its about a boy and a prince escaping the tower together when two bad men kidnapped them both. Over all the book was i kinda disliked the book but it was interesting. I would recommend this book to some of my friends. These are some reasons you should read this book.

I read it during class, and by the time I finished the first chapter It was very boring and didn't want to read it anymore. But the characters can be likeable at sometimes.

My mother asked me to read it. We are reading it together. Nearly finished. My favorite character in the book is Prince Brat. He is my favorite because he's funny, he brought his father's crown during his escape. It was cool that Jemmy felt bad for the Prince towards end because he wouldn't know how to survive in the wilderness. Hold-Your-Nose-Billy is a funny name and he stinks like garlic. Cutwater doesn't seem to smart.

I am reading this book in class. So far it's really good! I love to read books. This is one of my teachers favorite book. She kept them and saved the books for many, many, many, many, many years.

This book is about a boy who is ten years old an lives in a castle. He is a whipping boy who gets punished when a prince misbehaves. Then one day the prince and the whipping boy run away and get captured. Now there is a ransom. Will they die? I liked this book because the boys kind of became friends. My favorite part was when Cutwater and Hold-Your-Nose Billy got what they deserved in a gross cave. I would give this book 4 1/2 stars

I like the happy ending! I felt so happy and merry at the end! My fav book in third grade!

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