Pope Francis wrote recently about the importance of literature in moral formation. For millennia, humans have used story-telling to communicate religious beliefs and moral values, and to ensure that history and culture remain alive for future generations.

As a teacher in Catholic classical schools, Abigail Palmer has a passion for using stories as vehicles for learning history, language, and the Faith. Her new novel for middle-grade readers, "Faelan and the Miracle Machines," grew out of that passion. It tells the story of a young British slave during the days of the Roman Empire, and is full of adventure and mystery as well as history and culture.

In this episode, host Andrew Petiprin speaks with Palmer about the book, about the fascinating historical period in which it is set, and about why stories are indispensable for teachers and parents wanting to engage their children’s imaginations as they study a wide range of subjects.

Find "Faelan and the Miracle Machines" at Ignatius.com.