The book “The Witch of Blackbird Pond” by Elizabeth George Speare takes place in 17th-century Connecticut. It follows Kit Tyler, a young girl from Barbados, who moves to a Puritan community.
She struggles to fit in with her strict new neighbors and forms a bond with an outcast woman named Hannah. Kit’s actions spark suspicion and accusations of witchcraft that throw her life into turmoil. It’s a story about prejudice, belonging, and standing up for what’s right.
Mark Twain wrote “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court,” a story about a 19th-century engineer named Hank Morgan who gets transported to medieval England.
Using his modern knowledge, Hank tries to reshape King Arthur’s kingdom with inventions like gunpowder and telegraphs. The book weaves humor and satire, showing the contrast between industrial progress and the traditions of the past.
“Harvest Home” by Tom Tryon is a chilling tale of a couple who moves to a small, seemingly idyllic village in Connecticut. They quickly find the townsfolk deeply tied to old traditions and agricultural rituals.
As they uncover the eerie beliefs and customs of the community, dark secrets about the village’s past and its disturbing hold on its residents begin to emerge, leading to shocking revelations.
Wally Lamb’s “I Know This Much Is True” tells the story of Dominick Birdsey, a man grappling with the challenges of caring for his twin brother, Thomas, who has schizophrenia.
The novel dives into their fraught relationship, family secrets, and Dominick’s own struggles with guilt and identity. Set in a Connecticut town, it weaves through past and present as Dominick uncovers truths about their upbringing and confronts his inner demons.
The book is deeply tied to its New England setting, reflecting the weight of generational history and personal turmoil.
“My Brother Sam Is Dead” by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier is set during the American Revolution and focuses on the tension it brings to a Connecticut family.
The story follows Tim Meeker, a boy torn between loyalty to his father, who supports the British, and his older brother, Sam, who joins the fight for independence.
As the war intrudes on their lives, Tim faces challenges that change how he sees his family and the world around him.
Ira Levin wrote “The Stepford Wives,” a novel set in the suburban town of Stepford, Connecticut. The story follows Joanna Eberhart, a photographer who moves there with her family, only to notice that the local women seem unusually devoted to their domestic roles.
Her curiosity leads her to uncover the unsettling truth behind the seemingly perfect town.
Sally Lodge wrote “The Baby-Sitters Club: Songs for My Best Friends,” a story centered on Kristy and her friends as they prepare for a special concert in Stoneybrook, Connecticut.
The book highlights their friendships and teamwork as they juggle personal challenges and the excitement of performing on stage. It’s a heartwarming glimpse into the lives of the Baby-Sitters Club members.
The book “Ginger Pye” by Eleanor Estes is about the Pye family and their clever little dog, Ginger, who gets mysteriously stolen. Siblings Jerry and Rachel set out to solve the mystery and find their beloved pet.
Along the way, the story captures small-town life in Connecticut with warmth and charm, making the setting feel alive and personal.
“Homecoming” by Cynthia Voigt follows the journey of four siblings who are abandoned by their mother. Left to fend for themselves, the children set out on a trek to find a safe home, traveling through Connecticut and beyond.
The oldest, Dicey, steps into the role of leader, making sacrifices and choices to keep her family together. Their search for stability and belonging drives the story.
“The Hundred Dresses” by Eleanor Estes is a heartfelt story about a girl named Wanda Petronski, who is teased by her classmates for wearing the same dress every day. She claims to have a hundred beautiful dresses at home, which no one believes.
The story unfolds through the perspective of Maddie, one of the girls who witnesses the teasing but says nothing. As events play out, Maddie reflects on her own actions, and the book explores themes of kindness, empathy, and regret.
Mildred Savage wrote “Parrish,” a novel about a young man named Parrish MacLean, who is drawn into the world of Connecticut’s tobacco industry.
The story follows his struggles with loyalty, ambition, and love as he works in the fields and navigates the power dynamics between local growers. The book gives a vivid glimpse into the lives of the people tied to the land, their hardships, and their passions.
“26 Fairmount Avenue” by Tomie dePaola is an autobiographical story about the author’s childhood during the late 1930s. It follows young Tomie as his family builds their dream house and navigates everyday life.
The book is filled with moments from his early years, including his reactions to a hurricane, his love for movies, and his interactions with relatives and neighbors. The story paints a vivid picture of family life and growing up in Connecticut during that time.
The book “Because of Mr. Terupt” by Rob Buyea follows the lives of seven fifth-graders and their teacher, Mr. Terupt. Each student brings their own voice to the story as they navigate school, friendships, and personal challenges.
The teacher, Mr. Terupt, makes a huge impact on their lives, but an unexpected event changes everything and brings out emotions and lessons none of them expected.
“The Other” by Tom Tryon is a haunting tale set in a small Connecticut town during the 1930s. It follows twin brothers, Niles and Holland, whose lives are surrounded by mystery and tragedy.
As their family deals with loss, strange events begin to unfold, revealing dark secrets about the boys. The story builds tension as Niles uncovers the truth about his brother and himself, leading to a chilling conclusion.
The book “Rabbit Hill” by Robert Lawson tells the story of a small community of animals in Connecticut who are excited and nervous about the arrival of new human neighbors. The animals wonder how these newcomers will affect their lives and whether they will be kind or harmful.
Through the perspective of Little Georgie, a young rabbit, the story explores themes of trust and change in their rural environment. It’s a heartwarming tale filled with humor and charm.
The novel “Revolutionary Road” by Richard Yates explores the lives of Frank and April Wheeler, a suburban couple in 1950s Connecticut whose dreams of a more exciting existence clash with the realities of their marriage and societal expectations.
Their struggles reveal deep tensions beneath the surface of suburban life, with moments that expose their ambitions, frustrations, and failed attempts to break free from their mundane routine.
“Angel Angel” by April Stevens takes place in a small Connecticut town and captures the struggles of the Darling family. The story follows two brothers, Joel and Michael, as they navigate the fallout of their mother leaving home.
Joel, the older sibling, is trying to keep things together, and Michael is caught in a spiral of bad choices. Their father hires a housekeeper, who brings humor and hope into their lives in unexpected ways. It’s a story about family, loss, and finding a way to move forward.
“The Crossroads” by Chris Grabenstein is about a boy named Zack who moves to Connecticut with his father and stepmother after his mother’s death.
When Zack discovers their new home is near a haunted crossroads, he gets caught up in solving a deadly mystery tied to the area’s ghostly past.
Filled with secrets and eerie moments, the story takes unexpected turns as Zack faces both supernatural dangers and personal challenges.
“Floating Dragon” by Peter Straub is a horror novel set in the small town of Hampstead, Connecticut. The story follows the residents as they face two simultaneous disasters—a deadly chemical spill and an ancient, malevolent force that awakens to terrorize the town.
As strange occurrences and brutal deaths unfold, a group of townspeople uncover the dark history lurking beneath their peaceful community.
Richard Yates wrote “A Good School,” a novel set in an elite boys’ boarding school in Connecticut during the 1940s. It tells the story of students and teachers grappling with personal struggles, friendships, and the looming backdrop of World War II.
The narrative follows a mix of characters, including a shy student drawn to writing and a headmaster facing his own troubles. The school itself almost feels like a character, with its crumbling buildings and its role in shaping the lives of everyone within it.
Stewart O’Nan’s “Last Night at the Lobster” takes place in a rundown Red Lobster on its final day of operation.
The story follows Manny, the restaurant’s hardworking manager, as he struggles to maintain his professionalism while dealing with the closure, his own personal challenges, and the complicated relationships among his staff.
The novel captures the bittersweet atmosphere of endings and the persistence of routine in the face of it.
Peter Farrelly wrote “Outside Providence,” a coming-of-age story set in 1970s Rhode Island and Connecticut. The book follows Tim Dunphy, a working-class teenager sent to a prestigious boarding school after a brush with the law.
Tim navigates class differences, friendships, and love while trying to fit into a world far from his blue-collar roots. The story balances humor and heartfelt moments, offering a glimpse into the struggles of growing up and finding your place.
The novel “The Sleeping Father” by Matthew Sharpe follows a father, in a small Connecticut town, who falls into a coma after mixing medications. His teenage son and daughter, left largely to their own devices, must navigate the chaos it brings to their family life.
The story focuses on their struggles, misunderstandings, and attempts to make sense of their relationships and the world around them.
In “A to Z Mysteries” by Ron Roy, three friends—Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose—solve mysteries in their small Connecticut town. Each book in the series focuses on a different case, from missing letters to stolen artwork.
Their adventures often involve sharp observations, teamwork, and fun surprises along the way.
The novel “Before I Fall” by Lauren Oliver follows Sam Kingston, a high school senior who relives the day of her death over and over.
As she experiences the day repeatedly, she begins uncovering the effects of her actions on those around her and starts rethinking her relationships and choices.
Set in a small Connecticut town, the story explores themes of friendship, second chances, and the impact one life can have on others.
The book “Edwin Mullhouse” is written as a fictional biography. It tells the tale of Edwin Mullhouse, a boy genius who dies young.
The story is narrated by his childhood friend Jeffrey Cartwright, who claims to document Edwin’s life and literary work in great detail. The novel offers a glimpse into Edwin’s eccentricity and creativity, while Jeffrey’s own quirks and biases color the telling of the story.
It’s a unique take on childhood, talent, and the way stories are preserved.
Micah Nathan’s “Gods of Aberdeen” is about a brilliant but awkward boy named Eric Dunne, who gets swept into the mysterious world of a small elite college in Connecticut.
The story follows Eric and a group of eccentric classmates as they obsess over uncovering secrets tied to alchemy and immortality. Their search takes dark turns, exploring the fine line between ambition and madness.
Sloan Wilson’s “The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit” looks at the life of Tom Rath, a World War II veteran who is trying to balance his career, family, and memories of the war.
Set in suburban Connecticut, the story explores his struggles with finding meaning in his corporate job and dealing with personal secrets from the past.
The backdrop of the 1950s suburban lifestyle adds layers to the story, showing the pressure of conforming to societal expectations.
“The Patron Saint of Butterflies” by Cecilia Galante follows the story of two childhood friends, Agnes and Honey, who live in a strict religious commune called Mount Blessing.
Agnes is deeply devoted to the commune’s rules, while Honey begins to question the harsh practices of their leader. When a relative visits, bringing buried secrets to light, the girls are forced to face difficult truths and make life-changing choices.
The story explores their bond and the harsh realities of the world they’ve grown up in.
“Castration Celebration” by Jake Wizner is a young adult novel set at Yale University during a summer theater program. The story follows Olivia, who has sworn off men after her parents’ marriage falls apart. She channels her emotions into writing a raunchy musical comedy.
Meanwhile, Max, a flirtatious student, becomes interested in her and tries to win her over. The mix of sharp humor, creative musical scenes, and personal struggles brings the characters’ lives to the forefront.
“Stover at Yale” by Owen Johnson follows a young man named Dink Stover as he navigates his freshman year at Yale University.
The novel captures life at the university in the early 20th century, focusing on the social pressures, traditions, and friendships that define Stover’s experience.
The story highlights his struggles to fit in as he wrestles with questions of loyalty, ambition, and identity against the backdrop of college culture.