The Whipping Boy

The Whipping Boy  

by Sid Fleischman

90 pages

Fiction - Children's Literature

 

Winner of the 1987 Newbery Medal. I just re-read this story from my childhood on a recent beach trip. It is a great, short morality tale about the importance of discipline. Jemmy, once a poor boy living on the streets, now lives in a castle. As the whipping boy, he bears the punishment when Prince Brat misbehaves, for it is forbidden to spank, thrash, or whack the heir to the throne. The two boys have nothing in common and even less reason to like one another. But when they find themselves taken hostage after running away, they are left with no choice but to trust each other.

The book has short chapters (2-3 pages each) and is written in a kid-friendly style. Note: Though not explicit, corporal punishment (ie whipping) occurs in story. Children as young as 4 could probably follow the story and understand. However, there are levels of subtle complexities that will present themselves to older readers and keep them interested. Each chapter seems to have a new and interesting dilemma to solve. It held my interest as an adult. I loved how the story subtly teaches the importance of discipline.

RECOMMENDED FOR: Young Children (read by parents). Independent readers ages 9-12. Adults seeking an interesting and short story to jump start further reading.