Pass Go and Collect $200

Written by Tanya Lee Stone · Illustrated by Steven Salerno

Discover the untold story behind Monopoly's creation and its unexpected twist on wealth and power.

4.2 Goodreads · 1,020 ratings

40 pages· 2,352 words· Est. 19 min read-aloud· 930L

$18.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

In the late 1800s, Lizzie Magie, driven by a sense of justice, invents a game to expose financial inequality. But when players revel in wealth, Charles Darrow sees a chance to transform it into a beloved family pastime. How did Monopoly become a symbol of American entertainment, and what secrets lie in its origins? Uncover the fascinating journey from a tool of social critique to a household classic.

From the publisher

Boldness, imagination, and ruthless competition combine in Tanya Lee Stone and Steven Salerno’s Pass Go and Collect $200, a riveting picture book history of Monopoly, one of the world’s most famous games. In the late 1800s lived Lizzie Magie, a clever and charismatic woman with a strong sense of justice. Waves of urban migration drew Lizzie’s attention to rising financial inequality. One day she had an idea: create a game that shows the unfairness of the landlord-tenant relationship. But game players seemed to have the most fun pretending to be wealthy landowners. Enter Charles Darrow, a marketer and salesman with a vision for transforming Lizzie’s game into an exciting staple of American family entertainment. Features back matter that includes “Monopoly Math” word problems and equations. Excellent STEM connections and resources.