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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
Stitch'n Time
Sat, Jul 05, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Hobart - Children's Program 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, Jul 05, 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.
60 Second Challenge
Mon, Jul 07, 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 & Tween Summer of STEAM: Robotics
Mon, Jul 07, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Hobart - Large Meeting Room
Come join us for some fun experimenting with technology and playing around with robotics!
This event is full
Teen Craft: Hanging Yarn Art
Mon, Jul 07, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Highland - Meeting Room A
Using lengths of yarn and a stick, teens will create a unique decoration. All supplies and snacks will be provided. Teens 12 – 18. Space is limited. Registration required.
Teen Anime Club
Mon, Jul 07, 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.
Tween & Teen: Minecraft Meetup
Tue, Jul 08, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Hobart - Programming Room
Come play Minecraft, uninterrupted, on our Raspberry Pi computers! For ages 8-18.
Teen Dungeons & Dragons
Tue, Jul 08, 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, Jul 08, 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, Jul 09, 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, Jul 09, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Hobart - Children's Program 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 Build an Escape Room Workshop: Ages 10 - 17
Wed, Jul 09, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Join us for an exciting opportunity where young minds, ages 10-17, can unleash their creativity and sharpen their deduction skills by helping to create an immersive Escape Room experience!
Teen Cartoon School
Wed, Jul 09, 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 Craft: DIY Phone Amplifier
Thu, Jul 10, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Cedar Lake - Meeting Room A
Create an amplifier for your cellphone speaker using common household items. Please be advised we will be using sharp cutting utensils in this project.
Teen Dungeons & Dragons
Thu, Jul 10, 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!
This event is full
Teen Craft: Heat-Shrink Jewelry & Keychains
Thu, Jul 10, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Escape the heat & enjoy the AC and bake some heat-shrink designs for jewelry or keychains instead. Supplies provided. For ages 12-18. Registration is required.
Teen & Tween Speedcubing: Ages 8-17 - Advanced Rubik's Cube
Fri, Jul 11, 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!
Stitch'n Time: Session 2
Sat, Jul 12, 9:00am - 11:00am
Hobart - Children's Program 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 Movie: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Sat, Jul 12, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Teens, drop by to watch Spiderman: Into the Spider-verse! Part 2 (Spiderman: Across the Spider-verse) will be shown July 19th. Popcorn and lemonade provided. For ages 12-18.
Teen Craft: Bad Art Afternoon
Mon, Jul 14, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Ever get inspired by art but can't draw to save your life? Perfect! Come by to recreate classic art pieces in as ridiculous a style as you can! The sillier, the better! For ages 12-18.
Teen Crafternoons - Make Your Own Trading Card
Tue, Jul 15, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room B
Use a variety of art tools to make your very own trading card! All supplies are provided.
Teen Gamefest
Tue, Jul 15, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Cedar Lake - Meeting Room A
Join us for video and board games!
Teen Tuesday - Pixel Art
Tue, Jul 15, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Munster - Large Meeting Room
Come in to the Library and enjoy some crafting!
Teen Artsy Evenings
Tue, Jul 15, 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: Shrink Art Keychain
Wed, Jul 16, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
Join us at the library to make shrink art keychains. You can create your own design or examples will be provided. Supplies are limited. Registration is required. Ages 12-18.
Teen Chef Academy
Wed, Jul 16, 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 Craft: Bad Art Night
Wed, Jul 16, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
St. John - Large Meeting Room
No artistic skills needed! Teens will create the worst art piece possible using a canvas, paint, and more. Ages 12-18. Registration required.
Teen Rainbow Club
Wed, Jul 16, 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 Building an Escape Room Workshop: Ages 10 - 17
Wed, Jul 16, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Join us for an exciting opportunity where young minds, ages 10-17, can unleash their creativity and sharpen their deduction skills by helping to create an immersive Escape Room experience!
Paint Like Picasso!
Wed, Jul 16, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Highland - Meeting Room A
Do you aspire to draw like Picasso? Participants can explore various artists and their distinctive drawing styles. We will also have the opportunity to practice drawing in the style of the masters!
Teen: Livestream Author Talk with Marie Lu - Bestselling Author of the Legend and Young Elites Series
Thu, Jul 17, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Join us for a livestream of the author talk for esteemed YA writer Marie Lu - author of the Legend and Young Elites series. Snacks provided.
Teen & Tween Meet the Cube - Rubik's Cube for Beginners
Fri, Jul 18, 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, Jul 19, 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 Summer Picnic
Sat, Jul 19, 11:00am - 12:00pm
St. John - Large Meeting Room
Teens are invited to soak up the last bit of summer with some games, snacks, and more! Event will be outside, weather permitting. Ages 12-18. Registration required.
Teen Movie: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Sat, Jul 19, 1:00pm - 3:20pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Drop in to watch Miles continue his adventures in this sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Popcorn and lemonade provided. For ages 12-18.
Teen: LEGO® and Board Game Afternoon
Sat, Jul 19, 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 will be available to play. Snacks will be provided. Registration required. Ages 12 - 18.
60 Second Challenge
Mon, Jul 21, 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 Ice Cream Sundaes
Mon, Jul 21, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
St. John - Large Meeting Room
Teens will enjoy making an ice cream sundae using sprinkles, syrup, fruit, and more! Ages 12-18. Registration required.
Teen Craft: Let's Paint
Mon, Jul 21, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Highland - Meeting Room A
Select from a variety of objects or a small blank canvas to paint. All supplies and snacks will be provided. Teens ages 12 – 18. Supplies are limited. Registration required.
Teen: Adventurers Wanted!
Tue, Jul 22, 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, Jul 22, 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!
Adventures in Printmaking
Tue, Jul 22, 6:00pm - 7:15pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room A
Pop in to learn about the traditional art technique of printmaking, and to make your own design! Adults and teens (ages 12-18) are welcome!
Teen Gaming
Wed, Jul 23, 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, Jul 23, 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!
Teens & Tweens: Carnival of Color Escape Room Experience - Ages 10 - 17
Wed, Jul 23, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Teens (ages 10-17) are invited to help celebrate our Summer Reading theme, Color Our World, by coming to experience the Carnival of Color. This escape room was designed by a branch teen volunteer.
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!
Bingo at the Library!
Sat, Jul 26, 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
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.
Family Game Day
Mon, Jul 28, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
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!
Teen Craft: Pixel Party
Wed, Jul 30, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
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.
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.
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.
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.
Minecraft Party
Thu, Jul 31, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Children's Program Room
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.
See all events