A book fair in Melrose gave students a chance to find books written by authors of color.

School board member Jodi Schneider helped raise $10,000 to create a free book fair for students at South Bronx Early College Academy. All the publications at the fair were written by people of color.

Yanely Henriquez, of Melrose, went to the fair to get books for her 7th grade daughter. She says her daughter wanted the book, "The Hate U Give," by Angie Thomas. It is about civil unrest involving a fatal police shooting of an unarmed black student.

"The one she wanted was this one," says Henriquez. "We saw the movie together I explained what was happening in the movie. She was shocked, so now she is going to read it."

Principal Brian Blough says it's important the book collection reflects the school's diverse student body.

Schneider says she hopes the fair will also encourage students to read.

"It gives them an opportunity to have those conversations at home," says Schneider. 

The school plans to hold Zoom meetings to allow students to share their thoughts, reactions and feelings with each other.