What is a "sentential form"?
Assuming you know what leftmost and rightmost derivations are, let $S \Rightarrow^*W_1W_2\dots W_m$ be a derivation (a sequence of replacement using derivation rules), where $W_i$ is a terminal or nonterminal symbol. Then the string $W_1W_2\dots W_m$ is a sentential form of a grammar $G$. In addition, if $W_1W_2\dots W_m$ contains only terminal symbols then it is called a sentence. 

If the derivation $S \Rightarrow^*W_1W_2\dots W_m$ is leftmost (rightmost) then the sentential form $W_1W_2\dots W_m$ is called left-sentential form (right-sentential form). 


  Is the concept "sentential form" so different from the concept "derivation"


Yes, these are different concepts. A derivation is a sequence of replacements of nonterminals using derivation rules given as a part of grammar, while a sentential form is a string over terminals and nonterminals. You generate/derive/obtain sentential form using derivation (process).  

Example: 

$S \rightarrow aSa \mid bSb \mid \epsilon$

Derivation: $S\Rightarrow aSa \Rightarrow abSba \Rightarrow abbSbba \Rightarrow abbbba$

Sentential form: $abbSbba$.
Sentence: $abbbba$ (since it has no nonterminal)