The Beacon Street Girls (BSG) have launched a virtual economy on their social media site for tweens. The enhancements provide lessons in financial literacy, allowing girls to use “Marty$Money” and “Happy Lucky Points”to purchase virtual goods and accessories.

BSG’s virtual economy is bolstered by their partnership with Simon & Schuster, one of the world’s largest purveyors of children’s literature Beacon Street Girls will be giving away $3 million in virtual currency through books, select major retailers and at live events. Codes redeemable for virtual currency are included in 10 books being released this fall, including two new Beacon Street Girls titles, Green Algae and Bubble Gum Wars and Isabel’s Texas Two-Step, as well as non–BSG tween titles such as: Nancy Drew Ghost Stories, Nancy Drew Perfect Escape, Four Truths and a Lie, Total Knockout, Alice in April, and Alice In-Between. Users will also be able to purchase additional Marty$Money on the site through credit cards or PayPal.

The Beacon Street Girls’ online monetization and business model includes micro-payments from the sale of virtual goods; sponsorships and underwriting from like-minded organizations, as well as select marketing partnerships and licensing.

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