This Issue:

Table of Contents

Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

Mini-Lesson

Comprehension Quiz

Teacher's Guide and Worksheets

The Truck Stops Here: Firestone Recalls Its Tires

On August 9, Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. had to recall 6.5 million tires that are too dangerous to drive on. When a product is recalled, its maker replaces it or gives customers their money back.

Firestone’s ATX, ATX II and Wilderness AT tires are used on Ford Explorers. On the road, the treads on some of those tires split, causing accidents. Some tires blew off cars, sending them out of control.

The tires are linked to about 1,400 complaints and 88 deaths. Government investigators are trying to decide whether Ford and Firestone are to blame for not acting sooner.

For now, both companies are working hard to replace the bad tires and figure out what to do with all that scrap rubber-enough to make 200 million flip-flops or a tire stack 950 miles high!

Next: The Race Grows Tighter