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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, Feb 22, 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.
Teen Advisory Board & Game Night
Mon, Feb 24, 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.
Homeschool Hangout (Grades K-12)
Tue, Feb 25, 10:30am - 11:30am
Hobart - Programming Room
Homeschoolers, come hang with your peers! Educational and social opportunities will be available.  
This event is full
Teen: Adventurers Wanted!
Tue, Feb 25, 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, Feb 26, 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: The Great Guessoff
Wed, Feb 26, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Hobart - Programming Room
Teens, test your price guessing skills and compete for a chance to win big. Along the way, you might even learn a thing or two about the price of everyday items. Enjoy free snacks and refreshments!
Teen Anime Club
Wed, Feb 26, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Youth (ages 10-17) are invited to watch episodes from an anime series. We'll also have art supplies along with a craft on hand if you want to draw, sketch, or get creative. Snacks will be provided.
Teen: LEGO® and Board Game Afternoon
Thu, Feb 27, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Highland - Meeting Room A
Inviting teens, ages 12 - 18, to LEGO® and Board Game afternoon. Stop in to build your own LEGO® creation, play a board game, or Nintendo switch game. Snacks will be provided. Registration required.
Stitch'n Time
Sat, Mar 01, 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 Gamernoon
Sat, Mar 01, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Game on! Bring friends and choose from an assortment of board games or Nintendo Switch games.
Teen Advisory Board
Mon, Mar 03, 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: Paper Shamrock Craft
Mon, Mar 03, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Highland - Meeting Room A
Teens will create a shamrock wreath using only paper, glue, and ribbon. All materials (and snacks) will be provided. Ages 12 – 17. Registration required
Teen Anime Club
Mon, Mar 03, 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
Wed, Mar 05, 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 Advisory Board
Wed, Mar 05, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Teens (ages 10-18) are invited to join the Teen Advisory Board to help shape teen programming while earning volunteer hours. After a brief meeting, a craft and snacks will be available for attendees.
Teen Homeschool Hangout: STEM
Thu, Mar 06, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Homeschool students, ages 11-17, are invited to join us for a STEM project each month.
This event is full
Teen Craft: Crochet Basics
Thu, Mar 06, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Learn basic crochet stitches while we make a small granny square.
Yoga & Breathing
Sat, Mar 08, 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.
Teen Book Club: I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
Mon, Mar 10, 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 I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys. Pick up copies at the Dyer-Schererville check-out desk starting February 3rd.
Teen Advisory Board & Game Night
Mon, Mar 10, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room A
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.
TEEN: Talking about books
Mon, Mar 10, 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.
Teen Cupcake Wars
Mon, Mar 10, 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 and Tween: Minecraft Meet-Up
Tue, Mar 11, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Hobart - Programming Room
Come play Minecraft, uninterrupted, on our Raspberry Pi computers! For ages 8-18.
Livestream Author Talk with Dan Heath - Author of Reset: How to Change What’s Not Working
Wed, Mar 12, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
LCPL Virtual Branch - Public Virtual Mtg Rm 1
Join other readers for a livestream conversation with Dan Heath about Reset: How to Change What’s Not Working, and fixing what’s not working.
Teen Gaming
Wed, Mar 12, 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 Chef Academy - Food for Thought
Wed, Mar 12, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Hobart - Programming 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: Fun with Food
Wed, Mar 12, 6:00pm - 7:15pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Teens & Tweens (ages 10-17) will be taken on a Food Adventure. In March, we will be making easy mint thins. To ensure there is enough supplies and to address food allergies, registration is required.
This event is full
Teen Cartoon School
Wed, Mar 12, 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 Dungeons & Dragons
Thu, Mar 13, 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 and Tween Speedcubing: Ages 8-17 - Advanced Rubik's Cube
Fri, Mar 14, 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 Gamefest
Tue, Mar 18, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Cedar Lake - Meeting Room A
Join us for video and board games!
Teen Artsy Evenings
Tue, Mar 18, 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 Anime Hangout
Wed, Mar 19, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Hobart - Programming Room
Teens, are you a fan of anime or manga? Need an excuse to watch and talk about it more often? Then register for Anime Hangout where we'll view the anime you want. Refreshments and snacks provided.
Teen Crafts & Snacks
Wed, Mar 19, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
St. John - Large Meeting Room
Teens will use leftover craft supplies to make a variety of projects! Snacks will be provided. Ages 12-18. Registration required.
Teen Anime Club
Wed, Mar 19, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Teens (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.
Livestream Author Talk with Clara Bingham - Author of How Women’s Liberation Transformed America
Thu, Mar 20, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
LCPL Virtual Branch - Public Virtual Mtg Rm 1
Join other readers for a livestream conversation with Clara Bingham about The Movement: How Women’s Liberation Transformed America.
Teen and Tween Meet the Cube: Ages 7-15 - Rubik's Cube for Beginners
Fri, Mar 21, 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.
Bingo at the Library!
Sat, Mar 22, 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.
See all events