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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
Performance by Joe Rauen - Sponsored by the LCPL Foundation
Sat, Nov 23, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Munster - Large Meeting Room
Come enjoy an engaging, funny, memorable concert by musician Joe Rauen! Rauen creates and plays one of a kind instruments made out of household items!
This event is full
Teen Advisory Board - Game Night
Mon, Nov 25, 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.
A Dickens Tale - Sponsored by the Lake County Public Library Foundation
Mon, Nov 25, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
St. John - Large Meeting Room
Experience Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" presented live in this two actor cast from Bright Star Children's Theater. All ages are invited! Please register.
Teen Book Tea
Mon, Nov 25, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Munster - Large Meeting Room,Munster Zoom Room
Teens, let's spill about books! Each month we'll read and talk about a different book. In November we are reading Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein. Pick up books @ Munster Branch.
Teen & Adult: Stitched Medicine Bags
Mon, Nov 25, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Cedar Lake - Meeting Room A
Join this beginner level class and learn to make a leather medicine bag. All supplies are provided.
Homeschool Hangout (Grades K-12)
Tue, Nov 26, 10:30am - 11:30am
Hobart - Programming Room
Homeschoolers, come hang with your peers! Educational and social opportunities will be available.
Teen: Adventurers Wanted!
Tue, Nov 26, 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 Gaming
Wed, Nov 27, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
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.
Kids Chess Open Play: Ages 6-18
Sat, Nov 30, 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 Advisory Board
Mon, Dec 02, 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.
Teen Anime Club
Mon, Dec 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 Advisory Board
Mon, Dec 02, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Munster - Large Meeting Room,Munster Zoom Room
Teens get volunteer hours! Help plan programs and projects at the library. Interested teens, ages 11 - 17, can attend. Zoom available. Please register.
Teen: Hot Chocolate in a Jar
Mon, Dec 02, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Highland - Meeting Room A
Teens are invited to make their own dry hot chocolate mix in a jar. Decorate the jar to give as a gift or enjoy for yourself. Supplies provided by the library. Registration is required; ages 12-17.
Tween and Teen: Minecraft Meet-Up
Tue, Dec 03, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Hobart - Programming Room
Come play Minecraft, uninterrupted, on our Raspberry Pi computers! For ages 8-18.
Teen: The Gift-Wrapping Trials
Wed, Dec 04, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Hobart - Large Meeting Room
How are your gift-wrapping skills? How fast are you? What if you are blindfolded? What if your gifts are oddly shaped? How well do you disguise your gifts? Join in the trials and see! Please register.
Teen & Tween Fun with Food - Melted Snowman Bark
Wed, Dec 04, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Teens & Tweens (ages 10 to 18) are invited to come and learn how to make melted snowman using white chocolate bark. Sure to be a hit at any holiday gatherings.
Teen Craft: Let's Make Slime!
Thu, Dec 05, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Hobart - Programming Room
Come on by to make your own slime! Basic supplies will be provided. Bring additional mix-ins if you want! For ages 12-18.
Stitch'n Time
Sat, Dec 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.
Teen Board Game League
Sat, Dec 07, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room B
Like board games? So do we! Come on in and join us for a fun-filled game session. We provide the games...you provide the energy!
Teen Homeschool Hangout
Tue, Dec 10, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Munster - Large Meeting Room
Homeschool teens are invited to get together for fun activities. Each month we will explore a new topic. Please register.
Teen Alphabet Club - GSA/LGBTQ+ Teens Support and Discussion Group
Tue, Dec 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, Dec 11, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
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, Dec 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!
This event is full
Teen & Tween Reindeer Games
Wed, Dec 11, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Teen and Tweens (ages 10-18) are invited to attend Reindeer Games where they will have access to a Nintendo Switch, XBox One, and a variety of board games. Hot Cocoa and cookies will be served.
Craft Your Own Holiday Gift!
Thu, Dec 12, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Highland - Meeting Room A
Join us to create personalized Holiday gifts for loved ones! Registration is required.
Teen Dungeons & Dragons
Thu, Dec 12, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room A
Come and play in a game with one of our librarians as gm.
Teen Craft: Pretzel Log Cabins
Thu, Dec 12, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Get into the winter spirit by crafting (and/or eating) a pretzel log cabin. Supplies (pretzels, candy, frosting, etc.) will be provided. For ages 12-18; registration required.
Teen and Tween Speedcubing - Advanced Rubik's Cube
Fri, Dec 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!
Performance by Joe Rauen - Sponsored by the LCPL Foundation
Sat, Dec 14, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Join us in welcoming Joe Rauen at the library! Joe will give a short presentation and then you can enjoy a musical performance. All ages are welcome!
Teen Gift Wrapping - Drop-In Workshop
Sat, Dec 14, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Teens, bring your holiday presents and stop by anytime between 3-4 pm on Dec. 14 and 21 to get help wrapping them! Select supplies will be provided. Please bring boxes to put the gifts in.
Teen Winter Cookie Decorating
Mon, Dec 16, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
St. John - Large Meeting Room
Teens will decorate some winter themed cookies using frosting, sprinkles, candy, and more! Ages 12-18. Registration is required.
Teen Advisory Board, LEGO®, and Board Game Night
Mon, Dec 16, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Highland - Meeting Room A
Inviting teens, ages 12-18, to TAB, LEGO®, and Board Game Night. Play games and help plan upcoming teen programs for the Highland branch. Registration required. Snacks will be provided. 
Homeschool Hangout (Grades K-12)
Tue, Dec 17, 10:30am - 11:30am
Hobart - Large Meeting Room
Homeschoolers, come hang with your peers! Educational and social opportunities will be available.
Teen & Tween Minecraft Hour
Tue, Dec 17, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Cedar Lake - Meeting Room A
Come in and try Minecraft Pi. Register ahead of time as seats are limited. Recommended for ages 8 to 18.
Teen Artsy Evenings
Tue, Dec 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 Rainbow Club
Wed, Dec 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, snacks, and crafts. Please register.
Teen & Tween Crafting Hour - Book Folding Project
Wed, Dec 18, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Teens and Tweens (ages 10 to 18) are invited to come and upcycle old books by creating either a book folded angel or tree.
Teen Craft: Fingerpainting
Thu, Dec 19, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Hobart - Programming Room
Time to get messy! Use fingerpaints to make trees perfect for the winter season. For ages 12-18. Note: Please dress for the mess.
Teen Air Dry Clay Ornaments
Thu, Dec 19, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room B
Join us to make your own ornament out of air dry clay! All supplies will be provided. Space is limited, please register in advance.
Teen Gift Wrapping - Drop-In Workshop
Sat, Dec 21, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Teens, bring your holiday presents and stop by anytime between 3-4 pm on Dec. 14 and 21 to get help wrapping them! Select supplies will be provided. Please bring boxes to put the gifts in.
See all events