friend #1: The Whipping Boy

           Well! I absolutely love to write, and I love reading great books, so what could be better than writing about great books? Welcome to allmypaperfriends, in which I will introduce you to the many, many friends I've made in the world of literature. By doing this I hope to convince you to read *almost* anything and everything you can get your hands on. There are certainly books this world could do without, but in my very limited experience I’ve read a lot of good ones and those are the ones I’d like to tell you about.

           I want to start with a section (possibly a very long section) about books I’ve known and loved my whole life. So many of the books I read as a child are still every bit as captivating now as they were then, with a touch of nostalgia to boot. One of these that I never, ever get tired of is the adventurous story of The Whipping Boy.

Sid Fleischman, The Whipping Boy, Scholastic Inc.: 1986. 

            The Whipping Boy is a bite-sized, lighthearted romp following two runaway boys through palace, forest, city fair and sewer maze. It begins, “The young prince was known here and there (and just about everywhere else) as Prince Brat.” The prince deserves this nickname on account of his spoiled and arrogant nature, and his spiteful pranks, which include greasing the saddles of his father’s guards and tying guests’ wigs to their chairs during a formal dinner. Despite the prince’s antics, “it was forbidden to spank, thrash, cuff, smack, or whip a prince.” When the situation does call for punishment, the prince’s whipping boy, Jemmy, is brought out and punished in the prince’s place. This situation, obviously, teaches the prince nothing.

            One day the prince decides he’s bored with princely life, and, taking Jemmy with him, runs away from the palace. A series of misadventures follows, not the least of which is the boys’ falling into the hands of famous outlaws. In the end, Jemmy’s quick wit and street smarts keep the boys safe, and the prince learns what it means to have a friend. Upon their arrival back at the palace, the boys are dealt with graciously by the king, who asks to be taken along the next time the boys have an adventure.

             This book is an outstanding piece of children’s literature, and was recognized as such when it won the Newbery Medal. It’s a short book, and reads very easily, making it accessible to young children. However, the straightforward writing and exciting story are enough to capture an older audience as well. I enjoy this story anew every time I read it. It’s adventurous and although it never gets preachy, it has a lot to say about friendship and trust. It’s one of those rare stories that subtly leaves the reader a slightly better person for having read it. Pick up this book the next time you get the chance. You’ll find it in the children’s section of any bookstore or library, often with other award-winners. It’s short enough to read without taking it home, but you may want to in order to read it more than once. Happy reading!