Students at Broadmoor Elementary, located in Miami’s West Little River neighborhood, received 615 books donated by students, faculty and staff of FIU’s College of Business through the college’s “Inspire a Child to Read” holiday book drive. Now in its second year, the initiative aims to boost students’ academic achievement.

Gathered in the school library, a group of Broadmoor students were thrilled when allowed to choose from dozens of books that were laid on tables. A third-grader was excited upon finding one of the titles in the “Percy Jackson” series. “I really wanted to read it,” he exclaimed.

“The books serve as an incentive for reading and learning that will continue outside of school,” said Dr. Omar Riaz, an FIU graduate (Ph.D. ’12) who took over as Broadmoor’s principal in June. The school has 439 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.

COB team members who delivered the books spoke with the children about the importance of reading and highlighted the fun in sharing and trading books with friends.