Reviews

The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman

zbmorgan's review against another edition

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4.0

Thank goodness for the Newbery Medal, or I never would have read this one. It sounds like a grim dish indeed, but is, in fact, one of the most amusing children's books I've read in a while. Jemmy is brought out every time the prince misbehaves (which is frequently, as he is getting no good attention from his parents, alas) and whipped, because- well- you CAN'T whip a PRINCE! But the prince is still dissatisfied with his life and decides to runaway, dragging his reluctant whipping boy with him. They start out as antagonist and victim, but this Lethal Weapon of a book is really a buddy story at heart. My twelve years old enjoyed it as well.

jojoreads89's review

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fast-paced

3.0

siavoosh's review against another edition

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3.0

شاهزاده‌ی مملکت شاهزاده‌ی مملکته، برای همین وقتی مارمولک‌بازی درمی‌آره نمی‌شه تنبیهش کرد. نمی‌شه هم که تنبیهش نکرد چون به هر حال مارمولک‌بازی درآورده. راه حل نبوغ‌آمیز این مشکل بزرگ هم اینه که یه بچه‌ی رعیت تو قصر نگه می‌دارن که هر وقت لازم شد به جای بچه‌ی پادشاه کتک بخوره.
این موضوعِ کتاب کتک‌خور سلطنتیه و از قرار معلوم یه حقیقت تاریخی. برای همین هم بود که کتاب رو خوندم، چون مث بیشتر اتفاقات احمقانه‌ی تاریخی واقعاً جالب به نظرم می‌آد.
فراتر از اون البته کتاب چیز دندون‌گیری نداشت. پسر پادشاه همون طور که انتظار می‌ره بچه‌ی لوس نازپرورده‌ایه که اصلاً واسه‌ش مهم نیست کتک‌خورش به جاش درد بکشه، و همین طوری یه شب تصمیم می‌گیره از کاخ فرار کنه (و کتک‌خورشو هم با خودش ببره) چون دردسر درست کردن برای آدمای قصر به نظرش بی‌مزه شده. در طی ماجراهای بعدی (که حتی برای یه کتاب کودک هم هیجان‌انگیز نیستن) پسر پادشاه و کتک‌خورش با هم دوست می‌شن. مسلماً.
ولی هرچی خود کتاب از عالی فاصله داشت، ترجمه‌ی کتاب جیگرم رو حال آورد واقعاً. =)) خدا از خفنی کم نکنه مترجم رو.

jjuliaagriss's review against another edition

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2.0

Oh, Jemmy.

ashleykayejournals's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

stacynalley's review against another edition

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2.0

Gaw, I only read this book because it won a medal. I didn't really appreciate the tale.

wardo2700's review against another edition

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4.0

This is a humorous short book that is entertaining and yet has an underlying moral. The author initially paints the prince as such a brat that it is quite remarkable to see the transformation that occurs by the end of the book. The humor is mostly at the expense of the two bumbling thieves and makes for a light hearted adventure. I'd recommend this book to any reader over 8 years old and especially those that like a humorous adventure.

fairchildone's review against another edition

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3.0

Fun adventure story that keeps the action moving forward and contains some straightforward morals.

erine's review against another edition

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5.0

One of my favorites.

Update: Read aloud to my almost-seven-year-old. Still love this story, but I felt my vocal skills inadequate.

tiedyedude's review against another edition

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4.0

I don't remember what made me think of this book the other day, but after a quick read, I'm happy to say it is still a fun little story.