The Great TV Turn-Off by Beverly Lewis

ONE
    Eric Hagel slapped the Sunday paper shut. “No TV for me for one whole week. I’m going cold turkey!” he said.
    His mother’s eyes fluttered. “ What did you say?”
    â€œYou heard right, Mom. America’s TV Turn-Off Week starts tomorrow.”
    Eric’s mom cleared off the breakfast table. “Really? My goodness, what a wonderful idea.”
    â€œI can’t wait to tell my friends,” Eric said.
    His mother smiled. “Seven days is along time. Do you think the Cul-de-sac Kids will go for it?”
    â€œWell, I’m gonna find out,” he said.

    An emergency meeting was held at Dunkum Mifflin’s house. Right after church.
    Abby Hunter sat in the president’s chair—a giant beanbag. “The meeting will come to order,” she said. “Any old business?”
    Eric shook his head. So did Dunkum and Jason. And so did Stacy, Carly, Dee Dee, and Abby’s Korean brothers—Shawn and Jimmy Hunter. Nine members, counting Eric.
    â€œOK, what about new business?” asked Abby.
    Eric spoke up. “Did everyone read the morning paper? The part about America turning off the TV?”
    The kids just stared at him.
    â€œC’mon! Don’t you guys read the paper?” he asked.
    Abby smiled. “I saw the article.”
    â€œSo . . . are you with me?” said Eric. “Do you wanna pull the plug?”
    â€œOn the tube?” said Jason. “Are you kidding?”
    â€œI think it’s a great idea,” said Eric. “Just think of all the books you could read.”
    The others looked shocked.
    â€œMaybe we should have a vote,” suggested Abby.
    â€œOK with me,” said Eric.
    â€œAll in favor of no TV, raise your hands,” Abby said.
    Eric, Abby, and Dunkum shot their hands up. Then, very slowly, Stacy, Jimmy, and Shawn put theirs up. They were looking around, though, as they voted.
    â€œLast chance to vote,” Eric piped up. He was saying it for Dee Dee’s and Carly’ssake. They were slow-poke members.
    â€œOK,” whispered Carly. But she wasn’t smiling about it.
    â€œAll against no TV, raise your hands,” Abby said.
    â€œWait!” Jason’s hand went up, very slowly. “I must be crazy,” he muttered.
    Abby made the report. “The vote is carried. We pull the plug. All of us will.”
    Jason groaned.
    â€œHey, you voted for it,” Dunkum scolded. “You can’t complain now!”
    Eric spoke up. “Let’s do something totally cool for TV Turn-Off Week.”
    Jason Birchall’s eyes went crossed. “We’re skipping TV for a week. Isn’t that cool enough?”
    â€œBut wait. I have another idea,” said Eric.
    â€œLet’s hear it,” said Abby.
    The kids listened.
    â€œI think our parents should turn off the TV, too,” Eric said. “No TV for anyone.”

    Dunkum was nodding his head. “It’s only fair,” he said.
    â€œWhat a double dabble good idea!” Abby said, smiling.
    Carly raised her hand. She was Abby’s sister. “What about Mr. Tressler? He’s not anyone’s parent. Should he do it?”
    Jason couldn’t sit still. He was up dancing and jiving. “Good thinking, Carly. But Mr. Tressler lives alone. He watches tons of TV, especially at night. Who’s gonna get him to agree?”
    â€œMaybe older folks shouldn’t be in on it,” Abby suggested.
    Eric thought about that. “We oughta have the whole cul-de-sac. If everyone in America is doing it, why not Blossom Hill Lane?” he said.
    â€œOK with me,” Abby said.
    â€œThen who’s gonna break it to Mr. Tressler?” Jason asked.
    â€œI will,” Eric spoke up.
    â€œWay to go, Eric!” said Dee Dee.
    â€œI’ll go along,” Abby offered.
    Shawn said in broken English, “I go, too.”
    So it was set. Eric, Abby, and Shawn would pay a visit to Mr.