Who's it going to be, Bella? The werewolf or the vampire? (We know what you cynics out there are thinking. What? No mummy option?)

Not necessary.

Bella Swan, the heroine of Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" book series, has her hands full with the first two options: Edward, the brooding and beautiful vampire, and Jacob, the friendly and familiar werewolf.

In "New Moon," the second book of the series – the movie adaptation of which opens Friday – Bella hems and haws through 563 pages, trying to decide which one she loves. But outside of the pages of the book, the debate can get pretty heated. Edward is beautiful. Jacob is masculine. Edward is mature. Jacob is funny.

At Bella's Book Club – a weekly vampire-themed reading group at the Tecumseh branch library, where werewolf tarts are served and punch is poured into plastic goblets decorated with spiders – the debate gets going. Given the chance, both teams will work hard to recruit you.

Which begs the question: Team Edward or Team Jacob. Which one are you?

Team Edward

Roster: Shelbi Ankenbruck, 12, and Aleksie Kesky, 16

Mature. "He's been alive for about a hundred years," Shelbi says.

Beautiful. "And he doesn't smell like dog," Aleksie says.

"Bella loves Edward," Shelbi says. "You can't choose your soul mate. You can't make her love Jacob just because he's a good guy."

Rich. "The money is a plus, but it shouldn't be a deciding factor," Shelbi says.

Romantic. "Vampires are just more poetic," Aleksie says. "And Edward doesn't force her to kiss him the way Jacob did."

Undead. Vampires don't imprint. "Vampires love you forever," Aleksie says.

Team Jacob

Roster: Hannah Allison, 13; Saleena Hill, 16; Brittany Williams, 17; and Evan Hottman, 16

Finds Bella tasteless. "He's not wondering if he's going to date her or start drinking her blood," Saleena says.

Not creepy. "Edward watches Bella while she sleeps, and she doesn't think it's creepy," Hannah says. "What's wrong with her? If I caught someone watching me, I'd call 911."

Funny. "He's laidback," Saleena says. "He's not so over-protective."

Warm. Literally. Edward's skin is ice cold.

Same age. "The age difference between Bella and Edward is awkward," Evan says.

Team James

"You were always supposed to like Edward," says Salisha Hill, 16. "Jacob was just a conflict. There was never supposed to be a Team Edward or a Team Jacob. But then I saw the movie and decided James would be the best one for Bella."

Why? Well, here are her reasons.

Very good looking.

Knows what he wants.

Determined.

Strong.

Free from boundaries.

All true. Of course, he'd have killed Bella in the first book. Nevertheless, who are we to stand in the way of true love?

edowns@jg.net