Scotch Plains-Fanwood Fans Moony About New 'Twilight' Film

Fans of "Twilight" are counting down the hours until movie theaters open their doors at midnight tonight to premiere the second film in the popular series, “New Moon.”

On Wednesday afternoon, some of Twilight’s biggest local fans gathered at the Fanwood Memorial Library for a special party in anticipation of its release. The children, ranging from elementary to high school age, enjoyed food, games and vampire talk. Lots of vampire talk.

“They don’t drink people’s blood, only animals',” Scotch Plains-Fanwood High 10th-grader Abbie explained to library staffer Nancy Kipping. “And the werewolves only come out when the vampires are around.”

Kipping had a time keeping up with all the details, since she admittedly has never read the books that inspired the movies. But the children had no trouble filling her in on what the hype is all about.

“It’s like different than any other book,” gushed Eliza, an 8th-grader at Terrill Middle. “I can’t really explain it. There’s a lot of romance and action in it, but there isn’t as much mystery, really.”

Children in attendance all attempted to draw their favorite characters, then debated which were better. Eliza and her friend, Liz, even dressed up as their two favorite vampires, Alice and Rosalie.

When asked if she thinks the book’s heartthrob, Edward Cullen, is just as good-looking in the film, McGinn 4th-grader, Rebecca, replied: “In my mind, he’s even prettier.”

“Would you consider yourself obsessed?” Abbie asked the rest of the group.

“Pretty much.”

“From the first time I saw the movie.”

“I’m reading the books for the second time now.”

The children all credited their friends for turning them on to reading the series. Now none of them can get enough of it. Many are planning to go see “New Moon” in theaters on its first day.

Rebecca began reading the Twilight novels a few months ago. By the time she got to the third one: “I was so obsessed that I read it in a week.”

Now, posters for the films line the walls of her bedroom.

While she’s already counting down to the next movie, which is set to come out in June, Rebecca hasn’t had a chance to read the fourth book, “Breaking Dawn,” yet. That one is waiting for mom’s approval.

“She just has to read one part in it,” she said with a smile. “But I know what happens.”