Although the stock market has a major impact on the economy, many people do not fully understand it. Through this book, students will learn about stocks, the open market, and the dangers and benefits of investments. They will come to understand why individuals and businesses place their financial confidence in the market in hopes of further financial gains. Additionally, the dangers of taking these financial risks will be explored through the examples of the Great Depression and the Great Recession, where people lost large amounts of money on their investments. Ultimately, students will gain an understanding of how the stock market has such a substantial effect on the economy.