Songs for Parents: The Sentinel

Name: Songs for Parents: The Sentinel
Author: John Chipman Farrar

The Sentinel is a novel by John Chipman Farrar, first published in 1891. It tells the story of a young man, John, who is sent to live with his aunt and uncle in a small New England town. He soon discovers that his aunt and uncle are part of a secret society that is protecting a mysterious sentinel, a creature that is said to guard the town from evil. As John learns more about the sentinel and the society, he finds himself drawn into a dangerous world of secrets and lies. Along the way, he discovers the power of friendship and family, and learns the importance of standing up for what is right.

By John Chipman Farrar · First published 1921 · Genre: Family Drama, Fiction, Romance · 91 words

First lines

I'm only a little toy dough-boy, And I have neither sorrows nor fears; But I patiently wait, With my gun pointed straight And my helmet pulled down on my ears.

The ugly wood lions and tigers May show their white teeth if they please, If the whole Noah's ark Should threaten and bark It wouldn't unstiffen my knees.

And some day when you are a soldier With your helmet pulled down on your ears I'll still be as straight As I wonder and wait, Standing my watch through the years.

What this Textopian page supports

Songs for Parents: The Sentinel is listed on Textopian as a short story by John Chipman Farrar, dated 1921 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: John Chipman Farrar
Date: 1921 CE
Language: English
Genres: Family Drama, Fiction, Romance, Mystery
Length: 91 words
Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Songs for Parents: The Sentinel by John Chipman Farrar
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 Songs for Parents: The Sentinel?
How does this short story by John Chipman Farrar fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Family Drama first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Family Drama — The title of the book suggests that it is about the relationships between parents and their children, and the plot likely focuses on the struggles and joys of parenting.
Fiction — The book is a work of fiction, as it is written by John Chipman Farrar.
Romance — The book may contain romantic elements, as it is about the relationships between parents and their children.
Mystery — The title of the book suggests that there may be a mystery element to the plot, as the word 'sentinel' implies something hidden or unknown.