A review by zbmorgan
The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman

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.