Wednesday, March 7, 2012

The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman


Title:   The Whipping Boy
Author:  Sid Fleischman
Illustrator: Peter Sis
Publisher: Greenwillow Books          Year:  1986
ISBN:  0-688-06216-4
Genre: Fiction/Adventure
This book is for Ages: 8-12
Awards:  Newbery Medal; SLJ Best Book; ALA Notable Book
AR Points:     2.0
Subjects/Themes: Adventure/Robbers and Outlaws/Family Life/Orphans

Plot Summary:  A young orphan boy named Jemmy used to live in the sewers catching rats until he became the Whipping Boy.  Whenever Prince Brat, I mean, Prince Horace is bad Jemmy is whipped.  Jemmy can’t understand why Prince Brat is such a rotten kid.  Prince Brat forces Jemmy to run away with him.  The boys are captured by cutthroat bandits, encounter gigantic roaring bears and seek shelter in the sewer filled with rats. 

Review:   This book is fun and full of adventure.  Prince Brat is a horrible child.   Jemmy doesn’t realize how lucky he is.  They both learn about who they are in this wonderful and wild story.  Sid Fleishman melds humor, adventure and understanding into his story.  The black and white illustrations created by Peter Sis are captivating.

If you like this book you may also like:  Shield of Stars by Hilari Bell, The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by W.R. Philbrick, or   The Invention of Hugo Cabret, by Brian Sleznick,

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