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I enjoyed the interviews with the local librarians very much ..."The most important thing to ( the HS principal) Bull is that young people are reading."
Every few years, like an ancient fiend resurrected by new blood, vampires return to popular culture.
The befanged bloodsuckers have long since held a significant place in the collective imagination. Vampire stories, of a sort, can be found all over the world, dating back thousands of years.
But the undead's pale features have, of late, become tinted with a rosier hue, even becoming teen heartthrobs -- especially to fans of Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" novels and the popular film adaptation of the series' first book.
"The guy who plays Edward is single," confides 17-year-old Abilene High School student Amanda Fleming, referring to actor Robert Pattinson, who plays the primary vampire character in the book's film version. "All the girls are going nuts over that."
But teen boys are often just as taken by the series' action and suspense, something noted not just by local librarians, but also by outspoken male fans.
"It's just innovative," said Josh Lozano, 16, an Abilene High student who regularly attended midnight release parties for Meyer's novels as they hit book stores. "It's not your everyday blood and guts vampire story. It has a teen romance twist to it."
Over time, and throughout folklore, literature and film, vampires have transmogrified from hideous, shrouded ghouls freshly loosed from unhallowed graves to suave, sophisticated leading men and women -- the sort some would literally die to be.
"Every age embraces the vampire it needs," said Mikee Deloney, an Abilene Christian University English professor who will soon teach a five-week honors colloquium on vampires in film and literature at the school.
But the "Twilight" books are especially appealing to high school-age students, sai
"Sometimes, young adult novels are written by adults who don't speak the same language that teens do right now," she said.
But author Stephenie Meyer, apparently, does, she said. Girls seem particularly fond of the romance angle of the novels and subsequent film, while boys seem more enamored of the bits of supernatural prowess and action displayed by some of the main characters.
So popular is the series that the Abilene Public Library often can't keep up with the demand, said Marie Noe, children's librarian with the APL.
"It combines some of the elements older teen girls and young adult girls in particular really like," she said, not just the vampire aspect of the story but the joy and (perhaps) peril of a mysterious boyfriend, the inner workings of cliques at school, and numerous other aspects.
Undying Devotion
Fans' devotion has turned into cold cash for those who sell the "Twilight" books.
"We're having a hard time keeping it on the shelves," said Bob Houy, store manager at Hastings Books Music & Video in Abilene, who said the popularity of the novels has exploded because of the movie version.
"Every store in town has been sold out," he said. "It's really reminiscent of the Harry Potter series. It's not just a certain age group that likes it."
"Twilight," the movie adaptation of the first book, grossed $35.7 million on its opening day and had, as of Friday, grossed more than $176 million worldwide, according to boxofficemojo.com.
Fleming, a staunch devotee of all of the series' novels, was a touch critical of the film version, but did enjoy it.
"It was good, but there were way too many parts missing," she said, though she praised many of the effects used to bring Meyer's vampires to life. "But then again, they also added a lot of good parts."
But Lozano enjoyed the film immensely, giving it easily "four or five stars," and saying the best part of the experience was "the anticipation of getting to see your favorite (sections) played out."
Cooper High School students Brittney Garcia, 19, and Laura McCoy, 17, are among those entranced by the novels, having read every single one.
The love story of the two main characters is among the biggest hooks for the pair, with the overarching tale of starcrossed lovers (with a werewolf as a possible romantic rival thrown in later) striking a tone akin to "Romeo and Juliet."
"No matter what happens, no matter what the opposition, they still love each other," McCoy said. "They're wonderfully in love."
But there's more a bit of real drama and (dare we say) bite to the series, Garcia said.
"There are some fighting scenes in there," she said. "There's some good action."
In fact, there's even a touch of comedy, McCoy said.
"There's something for everyone," she said.
McCoy and Garcia were both fans of the film, including the actor chosen to play Edward.
"I had my doubts at first, but I was really impressed," McCoy said.
Escaping the Everyday
Laura McCoy's mother, Julie McCoy, 40, said that she planned to read the books based on the enthusiasm of her daughter, whose love for the series is a bit greater than usual, even for a child who loves to read.
She said that she wasn't worried about the more overt supernatural themes of the novel, and said that to her, the reason the series is so popular is its mixture of fantasy, mystery and romance.
Strangely, her daughter, who wants to become a missionary, isn't normally a fan of horror movies, she said.
"She loves World War II movies, but no horror films at all," she said. "She can handle things in print, but she'll generally stay away from horror movies."
But she said she thought the books were simply good escapism.
"I think anything that spreads the word and gets other kids reading is positive," she said.
Fantasy stories of any kind, as well as graphic novels, are immensely popular among young readers right now, said Smith.
But young readers are remarkably discerning, and know a good novel from bad, meaning any knockoffs have their work cut out for them.
"If it's not up to the same standards of writing, characterization and plot, then any copycats won't be popular," she said.
Librarians at Abilene's two high schools and the public library said they haven't received flak from parents about the books, which feature, among more typical teen drama, an usual teen love triangle between protagonist Isabella Swan, the vampiric Edward and Jacob Black, a teenage werewolf.
"The most I have had is a parent of a 12-year-old reading beyond her level," said Marie Noe, children's librarian at the Abilene Public Library. "She was concerned with everything her child was reading and we applaud her for that."
Noe said the library gave the parent reviews, opinions, and sent her away with the suggestion to read the titles herself first so there would be no surprises, something Noe said she suggests "quite often."
Cooper High School librarian Karan Duwe said the "Twilight" series checks much of the overt sexuality of many vampire stories.
"These appeal to the kids where they are," she said.
In a way, "Twilight" is actually a "fairly clean novel about abstinence," said ACU's Deloney, albeit one that features a creature seen as a "symbol for evil for thousands of years."
Part of the saga deals with Bella wanting to become a vampire and Edward
The series' cross-age appeal, and the movies, should keep it popular for some time, Duwe said.
"I know several teachers who have read them all," she said.
Terry Bull, Abilene High School principal, called the novels, and the fandom they produce, "lighthearted reading" and said that his wife has read the books, calling them a "love story with an interesting twist."
Bull said that he hasn't seen hordes of vampire-wannabes roaming the hallways of his school, though he has seen plenty of copies of the "Twilight" series.
"Even though it deals with vampires, there's no one living that life," he said. "It's fiction."
The most important thing to Bull is that young people are reading.
"That's what I love," he said. "It's a great way for them to relax and learn."
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