A Primary Source History of the Colony of Connecticut

Gr 5—8—Utilizing information from journals, newspaper articles, and government documents, Ann Malaspina's book (Rosen, 2005) spans Connecticut's earliest history. A brief overview outlines the settlement of both Massachusetts and Rhode Island, leading still dissatisfied pilgrims from those colonies to descend into Connecticut in the mid 1600s. The Connecticut colony always stood for freedom, both religious and political. When the English threatened the colonists' independence, Connecticut settlers helped to begin the Revolutionary War. When the Continental Congress had trouble coming to terms on the constitution, the Connecticut delegates introduced the compromise that brought things together, and soon Connecticut was ratified as the fifth state in the new union. Notes and a time line help to clarify the chain of events. Though many interesting points are illustrated through primary sources, the author follows the timeline on each topic, jumping around the 17th and 18th centuries as topics change. Some classrooms may find this to be a useful tool, but it may not be the best fit for every student's learning style.—Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT