The presentation of the book "Animal Farm" by George Orwell to sophomores at East Orange Catholic High School, New Jersey, as a "political document" is discussed. Through research, panel discussions and voluntary comments, the students studied the book in depth comparing it to the power struggle between Stalin and Trotsky in Soviet Russia. Although some students confronted this book for the second time, getting to the roots of it presented more of a challenge during the two and a half week period, and encouraged further research into history and politics. (LS)