The Whipping Boy facts for kids
First edition cover of The Whipping Boy
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| Author | Sid Fleischman |
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| Illustrator | Peter Sis |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Greenwillow Books |
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Publication date
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April 1986 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 89 |
| ISBN | 0-688-06216-4 |
| OCLC | 12421157 |
| LC Class | PZ7.F5992 Wh 1986 |
The Whipping Boy is a fun and exciting children's book written by Sid Fleischman. It won the famous Newbery Medal award in 1987. The story was first published in 1986 and is about a prince and his whipping boy who go on an unexpected adventure.
Contents
The Story of Prince Brat and Jemmy
Meet Prince Horace and Jemmy
Prince Horace is known as "Prince Brat" because he is very naughty. He loves to cause trouble and get attention. Since he is a prince, no one is allowed to punish him. That's where Jemmy comes in. Jemmy is an orphan boy who lives in the castle. He is the prince's whipping boy. This means Jemmy gets punished every time Prince Horace misbehaves.
Jemmy learns a lot while living in the castle. He learns to read, write, and do math. But he is beaten many times a day. Jemmy really misses his freedom from when he lived on the streets.
An Unexpected Adventure Begins
One day, Prince Brat decides to run away from the castle. He demands that Jemmy come with him. Jemmy has to pretend to be his servant on their journey. While they are on the run, two famous highwaymen find them. These are Hold-Your-Nose Billy and Cutwater. They plan to kidnap the prince for money.
Jemmy is very clever. He tricks the highwaymen into believing that he is the prince. He then tries to plan an escape for both of them. But Prince Horace misunderstands Jemmy's plan. He accidentally betrays Jemmy. Even so, the two boys manage to escape the highwaymen.
New Friends and More Trouble
The boys soon meet a girl named Betsy. She is looking for her lost dancing bear, Petunia. Betsy tells them where to find the bear. They also meet a kind man named Captain Nips. He has a wagon full of potatoes stuck in the mud.
The boys help Captain Nips get his wagon free. In return, he offers them a ride to the fair. Betsy and Petunia also join them. But the highwaymen soon catch up to them again. They still think Jemmy is the prince. They believe it's a terrible crime to hit a prince. So, they start beating Horace instead!
The Fair and a Big Decision
Luckily, Petunia the bear scares the highwaymen away. Everyone finally arrives at the fair. Betsy earns some money with her dancing bear. Captain Nips sells his boiled potatoes. Horace and Jemmy decide to go into the sewers. They plan to catch some rats there.
While in the sewers, they overhear people talking. They hear about the missing prince. One woman says things will be much worse when the prince becomes king. This makes Horace very sad, but he tries not to show it. The boys also learn that the king has offered a reward. The reward is for finding the whipping boy. Jemmy is accused of kidnapping the prince!
Going Home and a Happy Ending
The boys find the highwaymen in the sewers. They trick them into the most dangerous part. Rats then attack the highwaymen. After this adventure, Prince Horace decides it's time to go home.
When they return to Captain Nips, Horace tells him the truth. He reveals that he is the real prince. He suggests that Captain Nips collect the reward for finding the whipping boy. Horace tries to explain everything to his father, the King. In the end, Jemmy is pardoned, meaning he is forgiven. Prince Horace and Jemmy become the best of friends. They live happily ever after in the castle. Hold-Your-Nose Billy and Cutwater escape the sewers. But they accidentally get on a ship going to a prison island!
Main Characters
- Jemmy – He is the whipping boy. Before living in the castle, he caught rats for a living. Sometimes, he even thinks of Prince Brat as a friend.
- Prince Horace – He is the heir to the throne, which means he will be king one day. He is also known as Prince Brat because he loves to play pranks. He runs away from the castle with Jemmy.
- Hold-Your-Nose Billy – He is a famous highwayman. He smells like garlic! He and his partner, Cutwater, end up on a ship going to a prison island.
- Cutwater – He is a highwayman and Hold-Your-Nose Billy's partner.
- Betsy – She is a fourteen-year-old girl. She has a dancing bear named Petunia.
- Captain Nips – He is an older man who sells potatoes. He is a bit near-sighted, meaning he doesn't see very well.
- King – He is Prince Brat's father. At the end of the story, we see that he has a good sense of humor.
- Petunia – She is Betsy's dancing grizzly bear. She is described as cute and cuddly.
Book to Screen and Stage
Film Adaptation
The Whipping Boy was made into a television movie in 1994. George C. Scott starred in the film. Sydney Macartney directed it. Sid Fleischman, the author of the book, wrote the script for the movie. The film won an award called the CableACE Award that same year.
Musical Adaptation
In 2016, there were plans to turn the book into a musical! Drew Gasparini was set to write the music. Alex Brightman was going to write the story for the stage. Both of them were also going to help write the song lyrics.
Awards for The Whipping Boy
The Whipping Boy won the important Newbery Medal in 1987. This award is given to the best children's book published in the United States.
