The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman

Reviewed by Ellen

Ratings

Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content

Guide to Rating System

LANGUAGE

VIOLENCE

SEXUAL CONTENT

ADULT THEMES

1987 Newbery Medal Winner

Ratings Explanation

Language:   When writing the ransom note for his illiterate captors, Jemmy tells them, “I’ll tell [the King] you’ve got reserved seats in Hell.”  Many instances of demeaning name-calling and mild harsh language, but nothing objectionable; i.e. “dim-witted numskulls”, “insolent rascals”, “scurvy riffraff”, etc.

Violence:  Jemmy is repeatedly beaten by the King’s servants, descriptions of which are not explicit.  The kidnappers whip the prince and mistreat both boys.

Adult Themes:  Child abuse; as the prince’s official whipping boy, Jemmy has been taken from his home to live in the castle and bear the injustice of corporal punishment for the prince.  The prince runs away and demands his whipping boy come with him.  The boys are taken hostage by two ruffians who threaten and beat them.  The boys escape, are hunted by their captors, and are chased through a sewer.

Synopsis

By royal decree, Prince Horace (a.k.a. “Prince Brat”) is not to be spanked, thrashed, cuffed, smacked, or whipped, for it is forbidden to lay a finger on the heir to the throne.  So when the prince misbehaves, which is often, it is the fate of poor young Jemmy, former rat catcher and commoner plucked from the streets, to suffer his thrashings for him.  One day, Prince Brat, bored of castle life and hi-jinks, decides to run away and forces Jemmy to accompany him.  While in the forest, the two boys are seized by the infamous ruffian Hold-Your-Nose Billy and his dull accomplice Cutwater, who demand a King’s ransom for the prince’s safe return.  But Jemmy, who is sharper than the two of them combined, fools his kidnappers into thinking he is the royal brat and then escapes their hairy, garlic-scented clutches.  Naturally the prince follows, as does adventure and mishap.  But soon enough, amidst mistaken identity woes, dank and smelly sewer chases, and a dancing carnival bear, the boys learn the meaning of trust, friendship, and keeping your word.  And of course, the rogue captors reap their own due reward in the end, as it should be.

This story is a clever, immensely enjoyable twist on the classic “prince and the pauper” tale set in a day and age long gone, when boys were called “lads” and expressions such as “Do say!” and “As I live and breathe!” found their way into conversation.  It comes across as a humorous adventure story reminiscent of Huck and Tom, but it’s clear it claimed the Newbery Medal for its true heart– a tale of two very different boys whose initial mutual dislike for each other turns to appreciation and trust by journey’s end.   At one point Jemmy queries, “Was it clothes that made a prince, just as rags made a street boy?”  It is great fun to watch as they discover what lies beneath their princely/pauperish exteriors.  I marked it for grades 4-5 reading level because of the vocabulary, but it would be a delightful (and quick) family read-aloud.

©2010 The Literate Mother