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100 Books Before Graduation

Welcome to LCPL's 100 Books before Graduation reading challenge! Here's how to join.

The goal of this program is for students in grades 6-12 to read 100 books before graduating high school.

Students who participate in the program will receive prizes as they read. Prizes will be awarded after reading 25, 50, 75, and 100 books.

Most importantly, it is our hope that you will expand your critical thinking, vocabulary, and empathy, and increase test scores along the way!

Looking for a good read? Our teen librarians recommend:

Heartstopper: Volume Five
Breadcrumbs
I Was Born for This
The Hills of Estrella Roja
Delicates
We Are Not Free

How to Participate

Just like our Summer Reading Program, you will register and keep track of your books using ReadSquared.

Register for 100 Books before Graduation

Prefer to keep track on your phone?

Books can be from home, the library, or wherever you get your books! Fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, audiobooks, it all counts!

May we suggest a lovely read from our digital collection? It's easy to access with the digital access card you got from your school!

Not sure what to read? Check out our list of librarian-recommended books!

You can also send in a Surprise Bag request and receive a stack of personalized recommendations from one of our Teen Librarians.

Any questions? Ask us!

Prizes!

You get a prize every 25 books you log, up to 100.

25 Books: A bookmark, a sticker, and a free book coupon

50 Books: Exclusive 100 Books Club pin and a free book coupon

75 Books: A small prize (ex: a keychain or fidget toy) and a free book coupon

100 Books: The coveted 100 Books Before Graduation graduate pin, $5 3D print voucher for use in the Libratory, and - you guessed it - a free book coupon

Examples of the buttons, small prizes, and bookmarks that say things like Boom, Nailed it, and ON point

Upcoming Teen Events
Teen Anime Club
Thu, Dec 26, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Teens are invited to watch My Hero Academia from the beginning. We'll also have art supplies along with a craft on hand if you get creative. Snacks will be provided.
Kids Chess Open Play: Ages 6-18
Sat, Dec 28, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Children are welcome to come and play chess in our meeting room! Chess boards will be provided if you don't have one!
Teen Movie: Inside Out 2
Mon, Dec 30, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Teens & Tweens (ages 10 to 18) are invited to see a screening of Inside Out 2. As Riley becomes a teenager, she has to make room for new emotions. Runtime: 100 minutes; rated PG. Snacks provided.
This event is full
Teen Advisory Board
Mon, Dec 30, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
The Library is YOUR library. Help your local library create programs and initiatives that help and interest you. We'll brainstorm and discuss ways to improve teen programs.
Stitch'n Time
Sat, Jan 04, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Hobart - Programming Room
Adults and teens, please join us with your projects (knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, embroidery, etc.) to chat and stitch! Bring your supplies, and other attendees can instruct on crochet as needed.
Teen Craft: New Year Bullet Journaling
Mon, Jan 06, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Teens, prep a bullet journal to help organize 2025! Materials, including journal, will be provided. Please register.
Teen Advisory Board
Mon, Jan 06, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
St. John - Large Meeting Room
Earn volunteer hours and help the St. John Branch create teen programs, displays, and more! Refreshments will be served. Grades 6-12. Please register.
Cancelled
Teen Advisory Board
Mon, Jan 06, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Munster
Teens get volunteer hours! Help plan programs and projects at the library. Interested teens, ages 11 - 17, can attend. Zoom available. Please register.
Teen Anime Club
Mon, Jan 06, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
Are you a fan of anime or manga? If so, come to our monthly Teen Anime Club to find new anime to watch. We watch 3-4 episodes of your choosing each month. Ages 12-18.
Teen Gaming
Wed, Jan 08, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
Come hang out at the library and play the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii and board games! Games and snacks provided. Ages 12-18.
Teen Cartoon School
Wed, Jan 08, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room B
Like to draw? Like comics and cartoons? Then this is the program for you! Join us on the second Wednesday of every month to learn new drawing techniques and make friends with your fellow cartoonists!
Teens & Tweens Fun with Food: Pizza Edition!!
Wed, Jan 08, 6:00pm - 7:15pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Teens & Tweens (ages 10 to 15) will be taken on a Food Adventure. In January, we will be making pizza. To ensure there is enough supplies and to address food allergies, registration is required. 
Teen Pictionary®
Thu, Jan 09, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Hobart - Programming Room
Teens, join us at the library for fun, fast-paced games of Pictionary® where your artistic skills and quick thinking are put to the test. Snacks, prizes, and refreshments provided.
Teen Dungeons & Dragons
Thu, Jan 09, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room D
Teens are invited to play in a Dungeons and Dragons campaign with one of our librarians as game master!
Teen and Tween Speedcubing: Ages 8-17 - Advanced Rubik's Cube
Fri, Jan 10, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Hobart - Children's Program Room
Join us as we speed-solve the Rubik's Cube. Rubik's Cubes will be supplied at the program. Feel free to bring your own!
Teen Gaming: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Sat, Jan 11, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Teens, choose your fighter and attack! Snacks provided. Other games may be available.
Teen Book Club: Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Mon, Jan 13, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Stop on by for our YA book discussion! This month we'll be reading Cinder by Marissa Meyer.
Teen Cupcake Wars
Mon, Jan 13, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
St. John - Large Meeting Room
Teens will participate in a cupcake decorating competition to win cool prizes! Ages 12-18. Registration required.
TEEN: Talking about Books
Mon, Jan 13, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Highland - Meeting Room A
Do you enjoy reading? If so, then join our book club where we will talk about the book that you are currently reading or finished reading. Snacks will be served. Ages 12 – 18. Registration required.
Cancelled
Teen Homeschool Hangout
Tue, Jan 14, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Munster
Homeschool teens are invited to get together for fun activities. Each month we will explore a new topic. Please register.
Teen and Tween: Minecraft Meet-Up
Tue, Jan 14, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Hobart - Programming Room
Come play Minecraft, uninterrupted, on our Raspberry Pi computers! For ages 8-18.
Teen Alphabet Club - GSA/LGBTQ+ Teens Support and Discussion Group
Tue, Jan 14, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room B
We are proud to be hosting a support, education, & social space for LGBTQ+ teens & their allies. Teens (12-18) are welcome.
Virtual Livestream Author Talk with TJ Klune - Bestselling Author of the Cerulean Chronicles
Wed, Jan 15, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
LCPL Virtual Branch - Public Virtual Mtg Rm 1
Join other readers for a livestream conversation with TJ Klune about the Cerulean Chronicles, and his newest book Somewhere Beyond the Sea.
Cancelled
Teen Rainbow Club
Wed, Jan 15, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Munster
Teen Rainbow Club is a monthly social space for LGBTQIA+ teens & allies. Come for informal discussion, snacks, and crafts. Please register.
Teen Gaming Hour
Wed, Jan 15, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
A selection of board games (and snacks!) will be provided for you and fellow teens to play. A Nintendo Switch will be available with multiple games. Registration is required. For ages 10 - 18.
Teen and Tween Meet the Cube: Ages 7-15 - Rubik's Cube for Beginners
Fri, Jan 17, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Hobart - Children's Program Room
Join us as we explore the exciting world of Rubik's Cubes! In this fun hour-long session, you'll get the chance to learn how to solve the first layer of the Rubik's Cube.
Celebrate Martin Luther King Day!
Mon, Jan 20, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Munster - Large Meeting Room
Join us as we celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a short film and a collaborative art project. There will also be information about volunteer opportunities in the area.
Teen and Tween: Craft and Learn - Martin Luther King Jr. Day!
Mon, Jan 20, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Hobart - Children's Program Room
Teens and Tweens (ages 6-16) can join us to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with crafts, stories, and more!
Teen LEGO® Building
Mon, Jan 20, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
St. John - Large Meeting Room
Teens will enjoy snacks while building with LEGO®! Ages 12-18. Registration required.
Teen Gamefest
Tue, Jan 21, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Cedar Lake - Meeting Room A
Join us for video and board games!
Teen Gaming
Wed, Jan 22, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
Come hang out at the library and play the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii and board games! Games and snacks provided. Ages 12-18.
Teen & Tween: DIY Checker Board
Wed, Jan 22, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
January's craft projects is using duck tape to make your own portable checkers game. Designed for teens and tweens (ages 10-15). We will provide all the supplies you need to be crafty.
See all events