Silent Keys by Annie Fellows Johnston
The novel follows the story of a young girl named Emily who lives in a small town in Kentucky during World War I. Emily's father, a soldier, has gone missing in action, and she becomes determined to find out what happened to him. Through her investigations, she uncovers a web of secrets and lies that threaten to tear apart the community. Your turn! What is your next question or request?
By Annie Fellows Johnston · First published 1926 · Genre: Children's Literature, Historical Fiction, Adventure · 207 words
First lines
AS we would touch with soft caress the brow / Of one who dreams, the spell of sleep to break, / Across the yellowed keys I sweep my hand, / The old, remembered music to awake; / But something drops from out those melodies -- / There are some silent keys.
So is it when I call to those I loved, / Who blessed my life with tender care and fond: / So is it with those early dreams and hopes, / Some voices answer and some notes respond, / But in the chords that I would strike, like these, / There are some silent keys.
What this Textopian page supports
Silent Keys is listed on Textopian as a short story by Annie Fellows Johnston, dated 1926 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Annie Fellows Johnston
- Date: 1926 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Historical Fiction, Adventure
- Length: 207 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Silent Keys by Annie Fellows Johnston
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Similar titles
- Georginas Service Stars by Annie Fellows Johnston
- At Last by Annie Fellows Johnston
- October by Annie Fellows Johnston
- Trailing Arbutus by Annie Fellows Johnston
- Two Little Knights Of Kentucky by Annie Fellows Johnston
- Interlude by Annie Fellows Johnston
Genres
- Children's Literature — Johnston often wrote books aimed at younger audiences, utilizing simple narrative structures and language to convey her story.
- Historical Fiction — Johnston's work often folds in historical elements and settings, using these as backdrops to her narratives.
- Adventure — The book includes various adventures and quests, making this genre relevant.
Tags
WWI · historical fiction · family drama · love story · war stories · emotional journey · coming of age · American literature · Kentucky · Appalachia · small town life · community
More by Annie Fellows Johnston
- Mildred's Inheritance; Just Her Way; Ann's Own Way (1906)
- The Quilt that Jack Built; How He Won the Bicycle (1904)
- The Legend of the Bleeding-heart (1907)
- Big Brother (1893)
- In the Desert of Waiting: The Legend of Camel-back Mountain (1904)
- Georgiana of the Rainbows (1920)
- The Little Colonel (1907)
- The Gate of the Giant Scissors (1920)
- All works by Annie Fellows Johnston