The Whipping Boy

This book is a 1987 Newbery Medal Winner

Exposition: The story begins in a castle where Jemmy, the whipping boy for Prince Brat, is being whipped for the prince's misbehavior. Jemmy has no use for the prince but has been plucked off the street to live out his fate. Bored and full of arrogance, the prince decides he wants to run away and he is forcing Jemmy to go with him.
Conflict: Once out in the world they are soon captured by two outlaws, Hold-Your-Nose Billy and Cutwater. The outlaws quickly assume Jemmy is the prince since he can read and write. Jemmy orders that the ransom note he was forced to write be sent to the king by way of his whipping boy, Prince Brat, hoping the prince will take the opportunity to flee. But the prince refuses to leave.
Rising Action: Prince Brat and Jemmy are able to escape from the outlaws. Dodging soldliers they soon meet Mr. Nips who invites them to ride along in his hot-potato cart. But soon enough they are stopped by the outlaws and pulled from the cart. The outlaws are outraged and whip Prince Brat thinking he is the whipping boy. To whip a prince, even unknowingly, is an offense punishable by death.
Climax: The two boys are saved by a bear, owned by Betsy. The bear approaches and scares the outlaws away. The boys, Betsy, and the bear find Mr. Nips and ride with him to the street fair. Once there we begin to see a change in Prince Brat's arrogant ways. He enjoys his first handshake, relishes at collecting water, eats his first potato, and laughs for the first time. Then a paper seller balks that the whipping boy has kidnapped the prince and he is wanted dead or alive.
Falling Action: As Jemmy flees the fair, the prince follows. The outlaws are back in the picture and are after them yet again. Jemmy and Prince Brat dodge into the sewers. Jemmy is very familiar with the sewers as he was a rat catcher prior to his whipping boy duties. As the outlaws struggle to find them in the dark sewers, the boys are able to lead them to the rat-infested area of the tunnels.
Resolution: The outlaws are attacked by rats and bound out of the sewers. Jemmy and the prince are safe. Begrudgingly, Jemmy returns to the castle with the prince. The prince promises the king that he will never misbehave again. For he would not want his friend, Jemmy, whipped.

This book has language that befits the setting of a prince, a ratcatcher, a dancing bear, and a potato salesman. Phrases such as, "Let's fetch us a crowd and earn a copper or two," and "Lads, you won't mind if I truss you up like a Christmas goose."

Fleischman, S. (1986). The whipping boy. New York: Greenwillow Books