The Boy in the Cloth Cap
The Boy in the Cloth Cap is a novel by Francis Hopkinson Smith that tells the story of a young boy named Tom who lives with his grandmother in a small town. The book follows Tom's adventures as he navigates life and learns valuable lessons about friendship, loyalty, and perseverance.
By Francis Hopkinson Smith · First published 1895 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Drama, Romance · 2,772 words
First lines
I had seen the little fellow but a moment before, standing on the car platform and peering wistfully into the night, as if seeking some face in the hurrying crowd at the station. I remembered distinctly the cloth cap pulled down over his ears, his chubby, rosy cheeks, and the small baby hand clutching the iron rail of the car, as I pushed by and sprang into a hack.
"Lively, now, cabby; I haven't a minute," and I handed my driver a trunk check.
What this Textopian page supports
The Boy in the Cloth Cap is listed on Textopian as a short story by Francis Hopkinson Smith, dated 1895 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Francis Hopkinson Smith
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Drama, Romance, Adventure, Literary Fiction
- Length: 2,772 words
- Structure: 1 section, 96 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Boy in the Cloth Cap by Francis Hopkinson Smith
- 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
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Boy in the Cloth Cap?
- How does this short story by Francis Hopkinson Smith fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — Set in a specific historical period with detailed descriptions of the era.
- Drama — Focuses on emotional and relational development of characters.
- Romance — Contains elements of romantic relationships and emotional bonds.
- Adventure — Includes elements of journey and exploration.
Tags
coming of age · friendship · adventure · childhood · urban life · social class · family · resilience · imagination · innocence · self-discovery · community