BASIC DOCUMENTATION
Book Title: The Whipping Boy
Author(s): Sid Fleischman
Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Peter Sis
Publisher: Harper Trophy
Copyright Date: 1986
Genre: Historical Fiction
Brief Annotation: The king has taken a poor-homeless child into his castle to become the ‘whipping boy’. Each time ‘Prince Brat’ (as they call him) gets into trouble, the king summons the ‘whipping boy’ to take the beatings. The prince knows it was forbidden to spank, smack or whip a prince, so he enjoys neglecting his studies and pulling practical jokes on guests without fear of such harsh punishments being inflicted on him. When the prince decides to run away-he commands the ‘whipping boy’ to accompany him to become his servant. We learn not every position in life is perfect and the importance friendship can be to happiness.
Your Rating (1-5) and why: 2
I found this book not to be exciting and hard to follow at times. I don’t think the characters were well developed and it seemed like I was listening to words more than a story. The ending was a bit of a letdown.
Readers who will like this book: Readers/listeners that enjoy: animals coming to the rescue; fairy tale endings and readers/listeners that feel as outsiders or on a ‘lower’ status than someone/anyone else.
Teaching Strategy from Yopp & Yopp :
Character Trait Charts pp. 102-103
Character trait charts emphasize the characters and build students’ vocabulary. Students read a selection or book then analyze the characters based on a chart presented by the teacher. Students identify which characters exhibit particular traits and should be ready to discuss or explain their reasoning.
I like this strategy for The Whipping Boy because it allows students to view perspectives from different views and there are usually explanations for peoples’ actions. The whipping boy viewed the prince as lazy and spoiled but the prince viewed his situation as not being permitted to experience everyday tasks and therefore found himself bored with no reason to learn. This book gives an opportunity to ‘watch’ the characters change through their situations and begin to understand one another’s economic status with its advantages and disadvantages.
Question to ask about this book before a read aloud:
How great would it to be a prince/princess? Why?
Can we make a prediction what a ‘whipping boy’ is?
Optional, but noted as extra effort:
1. Interest Level (age): 8-10
2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 4.0
3. List awards
Newbery Medal
ALA Notable Children's Book
School Library Journal Best Book
4. Does this book have a book trailer? http://www.homepages.dsu.edu/mgeary/booktrailers/late_elementary.htm
Smart strategy connection--this book is so character-driven that creating an explicit tool for having students compare and contrast the different people in the book would not only help them keep everyone straight, but provide an opportunity to look at human behavior/motivation/a sense of right and wrong.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be interested to see if Brandee's kids like this book. I have to tell you, it's one of my favorites!
I happened to read this book a few months ago with my 11-year-old niece. I didn't know anything about the book, but I was putting her to bed one night and it was one of the books on her shelf that she hadn't read, so I chose it. She wasn't too thrilled with my choice. I think it was a case of judging a book by its cover. But her attitude quickly changed as we started reading. When we eventually finished the book she said "I'm so glad you picked that book." I was too. :)
ReplyDelete