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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:

Punching Bag
Defiant
Redemptor
Lights
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Fence, Vol. 4: Rivals

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
Bingo at the Library!
Sat, May 24, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
Join us at the library to play Bingo! All ages are welcome to play. Winners will be able to choose from a variety of small prizes.
This event is full
Homeschool Hangout (Grades K-12)
Tue, May 27, 10:30am - 11:30am
Hobart - Large Meeting Room
Homeschoolers, come hang with your peers! Educational and social opportunities will be available.
Teen: Adventurers Wanted!
Tue, May 27, 4:00pm - 5:15pm
Cedar Lake - Meeting Room A
Have you seen people playing games like Dungeons & Dragons and want to try it yourself? We will be playing the fantasy RPG "Dragonbane", a game similar to D&D. Beginners are welcome. For ages 12-18.
Teen StarFinder
Tue, May 27, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Munster - Large Meeting Room
Have you ever thought Dungeons & Dragons seemed like a cool game, but it should take place in space? If so, StarFinder is the game for you! Come and enjoy Paizo's ttrpg space adventure game!
Teen Gaming
Wed, May 28, 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 Game Night
Wed, May 28, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Hobart - Large Meeting Room
Teens are welcome to join us for an evening of gaming, board games, and puzzles! Test your skills and get ready for a night of great vibes and unforgettable moments!
Teen Summer Volunteer Orientation
Wed, May 28, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
St. John - Large Meeting Room
Teens, ages 11 to 17, can earn volunteer hours during our Summer Reading Program! Attend a training meeting for details. Teens must attend ONE meeting. Please register.
Teen Game Night
Wed, May 28, 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 & Xbox will be available with games. Registration is required. For ages 10 - 18.
One-On-One Tech Help: Everyday Technology
Thu, May 29, 10:30am - 5:00pm
Hobart Branch - Computer Area
Get personalized tech help at your local library! Our one-on-one sessions focus on building basic technology skills - from using devices to navigating online tools.
Please contact the library to register for this event.
Teen Volunteer Orientation
Thu, May 29, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Munster - Large Meeting Room
Come in to learn about our volunteer opportunities and complete the required paperwork!
Creative Arts Summit
Sat, May 31, 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Merrillville Branch Library - Main Level
The 4th annual Creative Arts Summit is closing out springtime this year with a showcase of local artists and creators! Come see what our community has to offer!!
Teen: Glow-In-The-Dark Party
Mon, Jun 02, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Celebrate the start of LCPL's Summer Reading Program with a glow-in-the-dark party! Activities include: video games, glow-in-the-dark paint, karaoke, and board games. Snacks provided. For ages 12-18.
Teen Paint Palette Cookies
Mon, Jun 02, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
St. John - Large Meeting Room
Teens will learn to create cookies that look like a paint palette! Ages 12-18. Registration required.
Teen: Let's Paint Birdhouses
Mon, Jun 02, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Highland - Meeting Room A
Pick from several styles of wooden birdhouses to paint and decorate. All supplies and snacks will be provided. Teens ages 12 – 18. Registration required.
Teen Anime Club
Mon, Jun 02, 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 Crafternoons: Button Making!
Tue, Jun 03, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room B
Join us to make pinback buttons featuring designs of your choice!
Teen Tuesday - Acrylic Pour
Tue, Jun 03, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Munster - Children's Program Room
Come in to the Library and enjoy some crafting!
Livestream Author Talk with Gina Togna & Brian Gratwicke - Conservationists at the Smithsonian Institute
Wed, Jun 04, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
LCPL Virtual Branch - Public Virtual Mtg Rm 1
Join other readers for a livestream conversation with Gina Togna & Brian Gratwicke about Extinctopedia.
Teen & Tween Summer of STEAM: Robotics
Wed, Jun 04, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Hobart - Large Meeting Room
Come join us for some fun experimenting with technology and playing around with robotics!
Teen Craft: Sunset Painting
Wed, Jun 04, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
Join us at the library to make a sunset painting using acrylic paints. You can create your own design or an example will be provided. Supplies are limited. Registration is required. Ages 12-18.
Teen Fun with Food: Making Smoothies
Wed, Jun 04, 6:00pm - 7:15pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Teens & tweens (ages 10-17) will be taken on a food adventure. In June, we will be making smoothies. To ensure there is enough supplies and to address food allergies, registration is required.
Teen Craft: Rock Art
Thu, Jun 05, 5:30pm - 6:15pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Teens (ages 12-18) stop by to paint a rock however you want! We'll vote for best rock at the end and turn it into our teen area mascot. Supplies provided. If you want, bring a rock!
Stitch'n Time
Sat, Jun 07, 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.
Yoga & Breathing
Sat, Jun 07, 10:00am - 11:00am
Munster - Large Meeting Room
Each session includes a series of asanas (postures) & sequences of pranayam (breathing exercises) for good health. Please bring your own mat to class.
This event is full
Craft Saturday: Hanging Yarn Art
Sat, Jun 07, 10:00am - 12:00pm
St. John - Large Meeting Room
Create unique and colorful decor by tying simple knots with yarn. All materials will be supplied. Space is limited. Register online.
The Goonies - Film and Craft: Ages 14 & Over
Sat, Jun 07, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
The Goonies never die but they do turn 40! Celebrate this classic with a viewing and crafts! Registration is required. Rated PG; runtime 114mins.
Musical Performance by Joe Rauen
Sat, Jun 07, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
Join us in welcoming back Joe Rauen at the library! Joe will talk about the instruments he makes and then offer a unique musical performance. All ages are welcome! Check out his website: joerauen.com
Teen: LEGO® and Board Game Afternoon
Sat, Jun 07, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Highland - Meeting Room A
Stop in to build your own LEGO® creation or pick a board game to play instead. A Nintendo Switch with also be available to play. Snacks will be provided. Registration required. ages 12 - 18
60 Second Challenge
Mon, Jun 09, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
How fast are you? Test your skill by seeing if you can beat our challenges in less than 60 seconds. First through third place will go on our leader board. Compete all summer for a grand prize.
Teen Craft: Rock Painting
Mon, Jun 09, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
St. John - Large Meeting Room
Teens will paint rocks to display outside the library throughout the summer! Ages 12-18. Registration required.
Livestream Author Talk with Lisa Jewell - Bestselling author of Don't Let Him In
Tue, Jun 10, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
LCPL Virtual Branch - Public Virtual Mtg Rm 1
Join other readers for a livestream conversation with Lisa Jewell about Don't Let Him In.
Teen & Tween: Minecraft Meetup
Tue, Jun 10, 3:15pm - 4:30pm
Hobart - Programming Room
Come play Minecraft, uninterrupted, on our Raspberry Pi computers! For ages 8-18.
Teen Dungeons & Dragons
Tue, Jun 10, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Munster - Large Meeting Room
Come and play in a game with one of our librarians as GM.
Teen Alphabet Club - GSA/LGBTQ+ Teens Support and Discussion Group
Tue, Jun 10, 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.
Teen Gaming
Wed, Jun 11, 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 Advisory Board
Wed, Jun 11, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Hobart - Programming Room
Join our Teen Advisory Board, where you'll have the opportunity to brainstorm and share your ideas for new programs and events - building valuable skills for your résumé in the process
Teen Cartoon School
Wed, Jun 11, 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!
Teen and Tween Science & Art - Why is the Sun Yellow and the Sky Blue?
Wed, Jun 11, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Kids (ages 10-17) are invited to learn about why the sun is yellow and the sky is blue with the help of NASA's Space Place. The art project will be creating a version of the sun using shaving cream.
Teen Craft: Clay Earrings
Thu, Jun 12, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Cedar Lake - Meeting Room A
We will be making polymer clay earrings.
Teen Dungeons & Dragons
Thu, Jun 12, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
New venue Merrillville - Meeting Room A
Teens are invited to play in a Dungeons and Dragons campaign with one of our librarians as game master!
Teen & Tween Speedcubing: Ages 8-17 - Advanced Rubik's Cube
Fri, Jun 13, 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 Movie: Wicked
Sat, Jun 14, 1:00pm - 3:45pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Teens, defy gravity and join us to watch Wicked. Singing encouraged! Popcorn and lemonade will be provided. For ages 12-18.
Teen Game: Escape the Room Mystery Board Game
Mon, Jun 16, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Complete different puzzles and unlock new clues to solve the "Mystery at the Stargazer's Manor." For ages 12-18.
Teen: “Stained Glass” Jars with Sharpies
Mon, Jun 16, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Highland - Meeting Room A
We will supply the glass jars, sharpies, and snacks. You supply the design. Teens ages 12 – 18. Supplies are limited. Registration required.
Teen Crafternoons: Book Art Chandeliers
Tue, Jun 17, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room B
Pop in for a recycling craft project where we'll be taking old paperback books and turning them into hanging art chandeliers. All materials provided. Teens (ages 12-18) are welcome.
Teen Gamefest
Tue, Jun 17, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Cedar Lake - Meeting Room A
Join us for video and board games!
Teen Tuesday - Tessellation
Tue, Jun 17, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Munster - Children's Program Room
Come in to the Library and enjoy some crafting!
Teen Artsy Evenings
Tue, Jun 17, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room B
Join us to learn about the selected art style/movement, and make your own artwork. All materials provided. Please register.
Teen Craft: Diamond Art Bookmark
Wed, Jun 18, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
Join us at the library to make a diamond art bookmark. You can choose between 10 different designs. All supplies will be provided. Supplies are limited. Registration is required. Ages 12-18.
Teen Chef Academy
Wed, Jun 18, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Hobart - Large Meeting Room
Join us at the library for a cooking program that teaches kitchen skills, nutrition, and sustainability through interactive lessons and tasty food while promoting healthy eating and food science.
Teen Rainbow Club
Wed, Jun 18, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Munster - Large Meeting Room
Teen Rainbow Club is a monthly social space for LGBTQIA+ teens & allies. Come for informal discussion, movies, snacks, and crafts. Please register
Teen Anime Club
Wed, Jun 18, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Children (ages 10 to 17) are invited to watch episodes from an anime series. We'll also have art and craft supplies if you want to draw, sketch, or get creative. Snacks will be provided.  
Teen & Tween Meet the Cube - Rubik's Cube for Beginners
Fri, Jun 20, 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.
Yoga & Breathing
Sat, Jun 21, 10:00am - 11:00am
Munster - Large Meeting Room
Each session includes a series of asanas (postures) & sequences of pranayam (breathing exercises) for good health. Please bring your own mat to class.
This event is full
See all events