100 Books Before Graduation
Challenge yourself. Discover new stories. Earn bragging rights in the Teen Room.
Tip: You can start the summer after 8th grade (entering 9th), or jump in anytime during high school.
Keep track of your progress (example):
Make it doable: Many teens who read ~20 minutes a day can finish about 15–20 books per year—which makes 100 books achievable over high school.
What is it?
100 Books Before Graduation is a reading initiative for teens to read 100 books before they graduate from high school. It’s modeled after the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program—just for teens who want a challenge.
Why participate?
Countless studies show kids and teens who read for pleasure tend to do better academically and socially, and see improvements in emotional health and well-being. Reading for pleasure can:
- Result in higher test scores
- Improve reading achievement (strong vocabulary, grammar, and writing style)
- Increase social skills
- Reduce stress
- Help cure boredom
At the library, we strive to introduce, nourish, and grow a love of reading in our community.
Who can participate?
Students with a Minocqua Public Library card who are:
- Entering 9th grade (you may begin the program the summer after 8th grade), or
- Already in high school and want to challenge yourself to complete 100 books (even if it’s in a shorter time)
How does it work?
Just 3 steps:
-
Register
Sign up using the registration form at the top of this page.
-
Read books you enjoy
Choose what you like—any genre, any format. The goal is to keep reading!
-
Record what you finish
Submit each completed title using the book recording form. We track your progress for you.
Want your current number? Email the Teen Librarian: [email protected].
Important: You may only record books that you finish after your registration date. Books you read previously do not count.
So, what else do I get out of it?
What happens when you read 100 books?
Besides discovering amazing stories, characters, and authors (and feeling incredibly accomplished), everyone who completes the challenge will receive:
- 📚 A free book
- 🏅 An award
- ✨ Your name displayed in the Teen Room for bragging rights
Bonus: Earn community service hours
Want volunteer/community service hours for reading? Good news! You can earn 2 community service hours for every book evaluation you fill out and return to the library.
The evaluation form can be found here: Teen Book Evaluation
FAQ
Common questions we hear from teens and families:
Do audiobooks count?
Yes! Audiobooks count.
Do graphic novels count?
Yes! Graphic novels count.
Can I reread a book and count it?
Sure. Rereads can count if you finish them after your registration date—especially if you’re rereading for enjoyment.
Is there a deadline?
The goal is to finish before you graduate. Typically, your book tally can be worked on through the spring of your graduating year.
How do I check my current number?
Email the Teen Librarian at [email protected] and we’ll tell you where you are in the challenge.
I’m stuck—how do I get help?
We’re always here to help! Email the Teen Librarian at [email protected].