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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
Rescheduled
Teen & Tween Open Play Chess: Ages 6-18
Sat, Jul 26, 10:00am - 12:00pm
New date Saturday, July 26, 10:00am - 11:00am
Dyer-Schererville
Children are welcome to come and play chess in our meeting room! Chess boards will be provided if you don't have one!
Teen & Tween Open Play Chess: Ages 6-18
Sat, Jul 26, 10:00am - 11:00am
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!
Cancelled
Bingo at the Library!
Sat, Jul 26, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago
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: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Mon, Jul 28, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Ready - set - play! Compete against other players to see who is the best brawler! If you have Nintendo Switch Joycons, bring them! For ages 12-18.
Cancelled
Family Game Day
Mon, Jul 28, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Lake Station-New Chicago
Join us for Family Game Day! Play one of our many board games or our Nintendo Switch. All games are provided. Bring your friends and family to join in on the fun! All ages are welcome.
Teen Crafternoons: Tie-Dye
Tue, Jul 29, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room B
Join us to make a tie-dye shirt in your color of choice! Please bring your own shirt to tie-dye.
Teen Tuesday - Sand Painting
Tue, Jul 29, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Munster - Children's Program Room
Come in to the library and enjoy some crafting!
Cancelled
Teen Craft: Pixel Party
Wed, Jul 30, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago
Join us at the library to make a craft out of Perler beads. You can create your own design or examples will be provided. Supplies are limited. Registration is required. Ages 12-18.
Teen Anime Hangout
Wed, Jul 30, 6:00pm - 7:15pm
Hobart - Large Meeting 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.
Entry Level Photo Editing With Paint.NET
Wed, Jul 30, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Merrillville - Staff Meeting Room
Learn entry level photo editing skills with the free software Paint.NET.
This event is full
Teen Anime Club
Wed, Jul 30, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Children (ages 12 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.  
Community Art Paper Tiles
Thu, Jul 31, 10:00am - 5:00pm
St. John - Large Meeting Room
All ages are welcome to decorate a paper tile that will be used in a community art project. An assortment of art supplies will be available. Drop in any time between 10-5. No registration necessary.
Livestream Author Talk with Pria Anand - Author of The Mind Electric
Thu, Jul 31, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
LCPL Virtual Branch - Public Virtual Mtg Rm 1
Join other readers for a livestream conversation with Pria Anand about The Mind Electric.
Cancelled
Minecraft Party
Thu, Jul 31, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago
If you're up for some Minecraft fun join us for some building, exploring, and maybe even a little competition. Bring your friends, bring your creativity, and let's make some awesome memories!
Stitch'n Time
Sat, Aug 02, 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, Aug 02, 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.
Livestream Author Talk with Jay Falk - Author of The Bird Book
Tue, Aug 05, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
LCPL Virtual Branch - Public Virtual Mtg Rm 1
Join other readers for a livestream conversation with Jay Falk about The Bird Book.
Rescheduled
Teen Tuesday - Fidget Star
Tue, Aug 05, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
New date Tuesday, August 19, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Munster
Come in to the Library and enjoy some crafting!
Cancelled
Teen Tuesday - Fidget Star
Tue, Aug 05, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Merrillville
Come in to the Library and enjoy some crafting!
Teen College & Career Summer Workshops with Coates Inc.
Tue, Aug 05, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room B
Join Coates Inc. for a free interactive series of college & career workshops designed to help high school students prepare for life after graduation. High school-aged teens (14-18) are welcome.
Teen College & Career Summer Workshops with Coates Inc.
Thu, Aug 07, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room B
Join Coates Inc. for a free interactive series of college & career workshops designed to help high school students prepare for life after graduation. High school-aged teens (14-18) are welcome.
Teen: LEGO® and Board Game Night
Mon, Aug 11, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Highland - Meeting Room A
Inviting teens, ages 12 - 18, to LEGO® and Board Game Night. Stop in to build your own LEGO® creation or pick a board game to play instead. Snacks will be provided. Registration required.
Teen Minecraft Meetup
Tue, Aug 12, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Hobart - Large Meeting Room
Come play Minecraft, uninterrupted, on our Raspberry Pi computers! For ages 8-18.
Teen Dungeons & Dragons
Tue, Aug 12, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Munster - Large Meeting Room
Come and play in a game with one of our librarians as GM.
Teen College & Career Summer Workshops with Coates Inc.
Tue, Aug 12, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room B
Join Coates Inc. for a free interactive series of college & career workshops designed to help high school students prepare for life after graduation. High school-aged teens (14-18) are welcome.
Teen Alphabet Club - GSA/LGBTQ+ Teens Support and Discussion Group
Tue, Aug 12, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room C
We are proud to be hosting a support, education, & social space for LGBTQ+ teens & their allies. Teens (12-18) are welcome.
Teen Cartoon School
Wed, Aug 13, 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, Aug 14, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room A
Teens are invited to play in a Dungeons and Dragons campaign with one of our librarians as game master!
This event is full
Teen College & Career Summer Workshops with Coates Inc.
Thu, Aug 14, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room B
Join Coates Inc. for a free interactive series of college & career workshops designed to help high school students prepare for life after graduation. High school-aged teens (14-18) are welcome.
Craft Saturday: Hanging Yarn Art
Sat, Aug 16, 10:00am - 12:00pm
St. John - Large Meeting Room
Back by popular demand! Create unique and colorful decor by tying simple knots with yarn. All materials will be supplied. Space is limited. All attendees must be 12 or older. Register online.
Yoga & Breathing
Sat, Aug 16, 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 Advisory Board & Game Night
Mon, Aug 18, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Dyer-Schererville
The Library is YOUR library. Help your local library create programs and initiatives that help and interest you, all while earning volunteer hours!
Cancelled
Teen Craft: Canvas Tote Bag
Mon, Aug 18, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago
Join us at the library to design your own canvas tote bag. You can create your own design or examples will be provided. Supplies are limited. Registration is required. Ages 12-18.
Teen Gamefest
Tue, Aug 19, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Cedar Lake - Meeting Room A
Join us for video and board games!
Teen Tuesday - Fidget Star
Tue, Aug 19, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Munster - Large Meeting Room
Come in to the Library and enjoy some crafting!
Teen College & Career Summer Workshops with Coates Inc.
Tue, Aug 19, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room B
Join Coates Inc. for a free interactive series of college & career workshops designed to help high school students prepare for life after graduation. High school-aged teens (14-18) are welcome.
Teen Chef Academy
Wed, Aug 20, 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.
Livestream Author Talk with Casey McQuiston - Bestselling Author of The Pairing
Wed, Aug 20, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
LCPL Virtual Branch - Public Virtual Mtg Rm 1
Join other readers for a livestream conversation with Casey McQuiston about The Pairing.
Teen Rainbow Club
Wed, Aug 20, 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, Aug 20, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Teens (ages 12 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 College & Career Summer Workshops with Coates Inc.
Thu, Aug 21, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room A
Join Coates Inc. for a free interactive series of college & career workshops designed to help high school students prepare for life after graduation. High school-aged teens (14-18) are welcome.
Cancelled
Bingo at the Library!
Sat, Aug 23, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago
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. Please register.
See all events