The Whipping Boy

The Whipping Boy was written by Sid Fleischman and illustrated by Peter Sis. This chapter book was published by Greenwillow Books in 1987 and reissued in 2003. In 1987, this book won a Newbery Medal Award. This book is an adaptation of the Prince and the Pauper fairytale. The theme of this book is the power and social position and how these roles can get muddled. The main character in this story are Jemmy, a poor boy, who is chosen to be the whipping boy for Prince Horace, or Prince Brat, as he is better known. As a prince, Horace cannot be beaten for his many escapades, so Jemmy is the person who recieves his beatings. Jemmy, in order to preserve his dignity, never utters a peep when recieving his punshment. When Horace decides to run away, he forces Jemmy to be his servant. The boys are captured by two highwaymen. These highwaymen are convinced that Jemmy is the Prince and start whipping Horace. Through many adventure Prince Horace learns the value of a good friend and how very little people actually think of his spoiled and selfish ways. In the end after dispatching the highwaymen in the sewers, the two boys return to the castle as the best of friends. This is a great story to use to teach children about the affects of bullying.