Fleischman, Sid. The Whipping Boy. Greenwillow Books (2003). ISBN-10: 0060521228

Plot Summary

In Sid Fleischman’s The Whipping Boy, Jemmy wants to become a rat-catcher like his father. Instead, he is living in the palace where he wears fine velvet or silk, attends school with the prince, and is fed royally. But, this isn’t as great as it sounds because Jemmy is the whipping boy for the prince everyone calls “Prince Brat”. If the prince misbehaves or refuses to learn to read, Jemmy is whipped in his place. When Prince Brat decides to run away, taking Jemmy with him, a villainous pair named Cutwater and Hold-Your-Nose Billy captures them and plans to hold them for ransom. But the bandits think that Jemmy is the prince and the real prince is the servant. The two boys temporarily escape their kidnappers with the help of strangers going to the fair, Captain Nips (the hot potato man) and Betsy traveling with her trained bear, Petunia. Jemmy and the prince have to steer clear of Cutwater and Hold-Your-Nose Billy as well as the palace guards who would certainly throw Jemmy in prison!

The prince is taken aback when he discovers that he is called “Prince Brat” behind his back, and his future subjects are happy he’s been kidnapped. After all, what sort of a king would he make? But during their adventure, the prince has changed. And Jemmy, who dreamt only of escaping the palace and catching rats, realizes that he will miss the opportunity to read all the books there.

Critical Evaluation

Sid Fleischman won the Newbery Award in 1987 for this adventurous tale illustrated by 2-time Caldecott Honor winner Peter Sis. The book is humorous, enlightening, and quite short. The action inspires readers to finish in just one sitting!

Reader's Annotation

If “Prince Brat” misbehaves or refuses to learn to read, Jemmy is whipped in his place. When Prince Brat decides to run away, taking Jemmy with him, a villainous pair named Cutwater and Hold-Your-Nose Billy captures them and plans to hold them for ransom.

About the Author

Sid Fleischman was born Avrom Zalomon in New York in 1920. As a small child, Sid’s father moved the family to San Diego. In junior high school, Sid spent time reading constantly, but he had no interest in what he was supposed to be reading. He read many magic books, and he dreamt of becoming a magician. While still in high school, Fleischman wrote his first book, a slim book called Between Cocktails. The book contained tricks that a sleight of hand magician could do with a matchbook. He sold away all the publishing rights for only $50.00 in credit for merchandise from a magic supply store. Sid, however, became a published author, and that book remained in print for 30 years! Although early on he had some success as a writer of stories and books for adults, he eventually became a full-time author of children’s books. In fact, his novel e The Whipping Boy won the Newbery Medal in 1987. Today, he lives with his wife in Santa Monica. He has written dozens of books for young readers, the latest being The White Elephant, published in 2006

Genre

Fiction: Action & Adventure

Curriculum Ties

Language Arts, Social Studies

Booktalking Ideas

Jemmy wants to become a rat-catcher like his father. Instead, he is living in the palace where he wears fine velvet or silk, attends school with the prince, and is fed royally. But, this isn’t as great as it sounds because Jemmy is the whipping boy for the prince everyone calls “Prince Brat.” If the prince misbehaves or refuses to learn to read, Jemmy is whipped in his place. Find out what happens to Jemmy – pick up a copy of Sid Fleischman’s The Whipping Boy.

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 9-12

Reason for Book Selection

I am a big fan of short books that teach a moral or lesson without being so overly obvious. This book does just that.