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Tales of the Not Forgotten
Follow these real-life stories as they take you on a journey to faraway lands and unknown faces. Travel through their challenges and see the hand of the great Storyweaver writing endings you’d never imagine!
Joel dares to ask for what he can’t have. Seraphina sacrifices what she can’t afford to give. Ibrahim looks for an answer buried out of reach. Christiana, saved by a mission, searches for her own.
These are the tales of the ones the world doesn’t see . . . the tales of the not forgotten. In this collection of four real-life stories written for preteens, a compelling storyteller paints a picture of God’s dynamic movement in four foreign cultures, inspiring children to trust that God is weaving a story in their lives as well.
This resource will shrink the macro picture down to approachable, individual stories of real children and teach about fundamental survival issues. The stories address some of the challenging questions that kids have and weave God's promises to orphans into each one.
The Tales of the Not Forgotten Leader’s Guide is a 6-session kids' missions resource (sold separately) that walks adults through an easy-to-follow guide for making the abstract real and for designing an action plan to help others.
Preteens will be challenged to answer the
How do I pray ? What can I give ? Where can I go ? Who will I serve ?
Joel dares to ask for what he can’t have. Seraphina sacrifices what she can’t afford to give. Ibrahim looks for an answer buried out of reach. Christiana, saved by a mission, searches for her own.
These are the tales of the ones the world doesn’t see . . . the tales of the not forgotten. In this collection of four real-life stories written for preteens, a compelling storyteller paints a picture of God’s dynamic movement in four foreign cultures, inspiring children to trust that God is weaving a story in their lives as well.
This resource will shrink the macro picture down to approachable, individual stories of real children and teach about fundamental survival issues. The stories address some of the challenging questions that kids have and weave God's promises to orphans into each one.
The Tales of the Not Forgotten Leader’s Guide is a 6-session kids' missions resource (sold separately) that walks adults through an easy-to-follow guide for making the abstract real and for designing an action plan to help others.
Preteens will be challenged to answer the
How do I pray ? What can I give ? Where can I go ? Who will I serve ?
- GenresYoung Adult
224 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 4, 2013
I started reading this book because I was interviewing Beth on my radio show LIVING Inspired. You can listen to my interview with Beth here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/l...
This book is written as for preteens, but don't let that stop you from reading it. Beth has a ministry called Back2Back http://www.bethguckenberger.com/?page... which serves ministries who serve orphans around the world. The stories in this book are A.MAZ.ING. They are the type of stories you tell to your family over dinner and even though you don't get much of the facts right and miss many of the cool details you still make them cry.
IF you have a preteen, check it out. IF you work with preteens, check it out. It'll open there eyes to the world and how God weaves our stories with other stories to impact lives.
This book is written as for preteens, but don't let that stop you from reading it. Beth has a ministry called Back2Back http://www.bethguckenberger.com/?page... which serves ministries who serve orphans around the world. The stories in this book are A.MAZ.ING. They are the type of stories you tell to your family over dinner and even though you don't get much of the facts right and miss many of the cool details you still make them cry.
IF you have a preteen, check it out. IF you work with preteens, check it out. It'll open there eyes to the world and how God weaves our stories with other stories to impact lives.
October 2, 2025
This is a great book for kids and adults alike, or would make a great read aloud for parents to read to their kids!
March 18, 2026
Great stories for kids about God (“the storyweaver”) working through difficulty in children’s lives in different countries. A lot of creative liberty is definitely taken with the accounts, and I wish the stories could be more factual, but each one is a strong reminder of God’s sovereignty and care for his children in all parts of the world.
January 19, 2018
The Tales books are great bed time short stories to read in whole or in part as a family. They all tell stories about children around the world and the struggles they go through. I highly recommend these books!
November 20, 2017
As a little girl attending vacation Bible School every summer, my favorite part of VBS was the mission story. I loved hearing how God worked in people's lives in lands far away from where I lived in a central Illinois farming community. This book took me back to all those stories and I read it in one evening. It is Juvenile fiction and I cannot wait to give it to my granddaughter in hopes that she, too, will fall in love with such stories of love and hope. Highly recommended.
September 28, 2017
I personally liked this book because it is about missionaries and its a very spiritual walk through your faith.
July 21, 2018
Such a great book for kids and adults alike!
April 10, 2020
Loved this. Amazing stories of God loving His kids.
May 31, 2012
Beth Guckenberger and her husband, Todd, are the founders of Back 2 Back Ministries, which currently works with orphan children and needy people in Mexico, India, Nigeria, and Haiti. In Tales of the Not Forgotten, Beth shares the real-life stories of four children, one from each of these countries, weaving them together in a way that distills the overwhelming concepts of poverty and despair into something that a preteen can comprehend.
First we meet Joel, a young boy in an orphanage in Mexico, who is praying along with the rest of the children in the home for God to provide food for them to eat. Next is Seraphina, who spends her days in Haiti picking through the garbage dump looking for anything edible or worth trading for food to feed herself and the two younger sisters she is responsible for. In Nigeria, Ibrahim’s mother might not recover from her illness if they don’t find clean water to drink, despite him making the long trek to get medicine for her. And finally Christiana, in India, who has been rescued from a horrible future and grows up wanting to help others as she has been helped.
In each story, we see how God led someone to give of themselves in some way and thus become an answer to the prayers of these children, showing them that they are loved – that they have not been forgotten.
The stories are well-written, and the book itself is appealing, with interesting facts about the different languages and customs on the countries printed to look like postcards or notes that have been taped or glued like in a scrapbook. After each of the first four chapters, there is an open page with a couple of questions and space for the reader to record his or her thoughts about the story. In the final chapter, Beth shares about some missionaries that have gone to these countries and ends with a call for each one of us to find our own story.
For those who may want to use Tales of the Not Forgotten in a group setting, there is also an interactive Leader’s Guide available for purchase. This is a CD-ROM with everything you need to organize a six-session class based on the book. It includes a variety of customizable files such as creative take-home resources, adaptable elements for a range of ages, and additional activities for Christian schools and homeschools.
First we meet Joel, a young boy in an orphanage in Mexico, who is praying along with the rest of the children in the home for God to provide food for them to eat. Next is Seraphina, who spends her days in Haiti picking through the garbage dump looking for anything edible or worth trading for food to feed herself and the two younger sisters she is responsible for. In Nigeria, Ibrahim’s mother might not recover from her illness if they don’t find clean water to drink, despite him making the long trek to get medicine for her. And finally Christiana, in India, who has been rescued from a horrible future and grows up wanting to help others as she has been helped.
In each story, we see how God led someone to give of themselves in some way and thus become an answer to the prayers of these children, showing them that they are loved – that they have not been forgotten.
The stories are well-written, and the book itself is appealing, with interesting facts about the different languages and customs on the countries printed to look like postcards or notes that have been taped or glued like in a scrapbook. After each of the first four chapters, there is an open page with a couple of questions and space for the reader to record his or her thoughts about the story. In the final chapter, Beth shares about some missionaries that have gone to these countries and ends with a call for each one of us to find our own story.
For those who may want to use Tales of the Not Forgotten in a group setting, there is also an interactive Leader’s Guide available for purchase. This is a CD-ROM with everything you need to organize a six-session class based on the book. It includes a variety of customizable files such as creative take-home resources, adaptable elements for a range of ages, and additional activities for Christian schools and homeschools.
July 11, 2012
This is a wonderful book and it’s definitely a great way to introduce children to other children in other parts of the world who are in need of help. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the accompanying CD-ROM is a great addition especially if you’ll use this book as a way to run a class or unit study with the worksheets and such which are able to be printed off and handed out. I’ll be using the book and the hand outs as we advance into our school year so that my children can learn about those who are less fortunate and see what their hearts need to be like to be like Jesus – serving.
If you aren’t able to take a mission trip with your children then this is the next best thing – bringing their lives to life in the living room or in a church setting, children will get to know more about some of the faces that missionaries do help. Let children see how they and others can be the Lord’s hands and feet while they are here on earth, instead of being a part of the give-me generation, teach them to be the best of the best and be a servant. While the age of this book is geared for those pre-adolescents to teens I know that my 6 and soon to be 8 year old will get a lot out of this study as well, but it’s individual to each child as to what they can handle and absorb.
**Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book and CD-ROM from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion, no other compensation was given.
If you aren’t able to take a mission trip with your children then this is the next best thing – bringing their lives to life in the living room or in a church setting, children will get to know more about some of the faces that missionaries do help. Let children see how they and others can be the Lord’s hands and feet while they are here on earth, instead of being a part of the give-me generation, teach them to be the best of the best and be a servant. While the age of this book is geared for those pre-adolescents to teens I know that my 6 and soon to be 8 year old will get a lot out of this study as well, but it’s individual to each child as to what they can handle and absorb.
**Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book and CD-ROM from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion, no other compensation was given.
July 28, 2012
I absolutely enjoyed this book--the way it was written and each story in it. It was written in an easy-to-read book, and the possibilities for this book are endless. This book is written for a kid's Sunday School or Bible study lesson, the book touched my heart as well.
So often, children (and many adults) are egocentric in their world view. In the United States, we are more like that than almost anywhere else in the world. If it does not affect us or we don't know about it, we don't have to think about it. We can "forget" it. Thankfully, this book is written to remind us that even when we forget these people's stories, God never does. And He can (and will) come along and remind us.
Along with the book, I was sent a leader's guide. This has the ability to take this study to the next level. If you do this study at your church or even out of your home, you are able to print off the lessons and even e-mail them to the leaders. I am grateful to have this additional resource.
If you are looking for a great missions study to get kids (and teens/adults) excited about what God can do in other parts of the world and how He can use us for His service, this is the study for you. It will definitely touch your heart and open your world view in a way you never knew possible.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
So often, children (and many adults) are egocentric in their world view. In the United States, we are more like that than almost anywhere else in the world. If it does not affect us or we don't know about it, we don't have to think about it. We can "forget" it. Thankfully, this book is written to remind us that even when we forget these people's stories, God never does. And He can (and will) come along and remind us.
Along with the book, I was sent a leader's guide. This has the ability to take this study to the next level. If you do this study at your church or even out of your home, you are able to print off the lessons and even e-mail them to the leaders. I am grateful to have this additional resource.
If you are looking for a great missions study to get kids (and teens/adults) excited about what God can do in other parts of the world and how He can use us for His service, this is the study for you. It will definitely touch your heart and open your world view in a way you never knew possible.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
June 27, 2012
Title: TALES OF THE NOT FORGOTTEN
Author: Beth Guckenberger
Publisher: Standard Publishers
May 2012
ISBN: 978-0784735282
Genre: Inspirational/missions/young adults
TALES OF THE NOT FORGOTTEN are stories of orphans in various places of the world, the tales of the ones that the world doesn’t see—unless you’re a missionary.
Joel dares to ask for what he can’t have. Seraphina sacrifices what she can’t afford to give. Ibrahim looks for answers buried out of reach. Christiana, saved by a mission, searches for her own.
These are real stories about real kids that will take you to faraway lands and unknown faces. You’ll see their challenges, be moved to tears for these poor children, and see the hand of God working miracles you’d never imagine!
Wow! That is all I can say. I was crying by the time I finished the first story and I am totally glad that God has provided hands/missionaries to help care for these people. God is so good.
There is a companion leader’s guide (on cd-rom) to use with this book so you can help children in your tweener youth group or Sunday School class to understand. It is filled with fun activities, compelling stories, biblical teaching and practical applications. (ISBN: 978-0-7847-3527-5)
This is an awesome missionary book for tweeners. Highly recommended. $8.99. 208 pages.
Author: Beth Guckenberger
Publisher: Standard Publishers
May 2012
ISBN: 978-0784735282
Genre: Inspirational/missions/young adults
TALES OF THE NOT FORGOTTEN are stories of orphans in various places of the world, the tales of the ones that the world doesn’t see—unless you’re a missionary.
Joel dares to ask for what he can’t have. Seraphina sacrifices what she can’t afford to give. Ibrahim looks for answers buried out of reach. Christiana, saved by a mission, searches for her own.
These are real stories about real kids that will take you to faraway lands and unknown faces. You’ll see their challenges, be moved to tears for these poor children, and see the hand of God working miracles you’d never imagine!
Wow! That is all I can say. I was crying by the time I finished the first story and I am totally glad that God has provided hands/missionaries to help care for these people. God is so good.
There is a companion leader’s guide (on cd-rom) to use with this book so you can help children in your tweener youth group or Sunday School class to understand. It is filled with fun activities, compelling stories, biblical teaching and practical applications. (ISBN: 978-0-7847-3527-5)
This is an awesome missionary book for tweeners. Highly recommended. $8.99. 208 pages.
July 3, 2012
At some point in our lives we have all felt that God has forgotten us, that He is not hearing our prayers and does not have a plan for our lives. God is the greatest storyweaver of them all and in the Tales of the Not Forgotten, we get to glimpse into the stories of various lives and their own personal reminders that God has not forgotten who they are and the paths He has set their lives on.
This book is a major eye opener to the things that are countered throughout this world and the need for God every day. Each chapter follows someone else's story and each story takes place all across the world from Mexico to Nigeria to India, each has their own story to tell and how God connected their stories with someone else's at just the right time. This book will have you laughing and crying and wake you up to the world we live in.
I loved this book, and the stories shared throughout the pages, Tales of the Not Forgotten is an important lesson for all of us, and through this book you will remember how great our God is and the plans He has placed on each of our lives.
This book is written in such a way that it is great for all ages, with facts about each country and side notes as well as reminders of what is being learned throughout the chapter. Tales of the Not Forgotten is a great way to introduce kids to what is happening in other countries and to missionary work.
This book is a major eye opener to the things that are countered throughout this world and the need for God every day. Each chapter follows someone else's story and each story takes place all across the world from Mexico to Nigeria to India, each has their own story to tell and how God connected their stories with someone else's at just the right time. This book will have you laughing and crying and wake you up to the world we live in.
I loved this book, and the stories shared throughout the pages, Tales of the Not Forgotten is an important lesson for all of us, and through this book you will remember how great our God is and the plans He has placed on each of our lives.
This book is written in such a way that it is great for all ages, with facts about each country and side notes as well as reminders of what is being learned throughout the chapter. Tales of the Not Forgotten is a great way to introduce kids to what is happening in other countries and to missionary work.
April 30, 2018
This book was assigned reading for one month of my course at KidMin academy, but I wanted to review it here because it was just such a great book. In fact I have only had it since April and already I've read it, my mother read it and my Grandmother read it twice.
It's a very easy read and we all practically sat down and read it in one sitting. Besides that you'll be sucked into the stories and WANT to finish them.
The stories are engaging, engrossing and well written. Although they tell of hardships and struggles they will just charm your socks off. I fell in love with Joel in the first story (also it got me kinda teary eyed.) I was heartbroken for Seraphina. I was charmed by Ibrahim. I was encouraged by Christiana.
These four stories are filled with such hope and faith and love that they are bound to both encourage and challenge you.
Bottom Line:
This book is part of the storyweavers series and I can understand why it's called that. The stories are artfully crafted and a real treat to read. I highly recommend this book.
It's a very easy read and we all practically sat down and read it in one sitting. Besides that you'll be sucked into the stories and WANT to finish them.
The stories are engaging, engrossing and well written. Although they tell of hardships and struggles they will just charm your socks off. I fell in love with Joel in the first story (also it got me kinda teary eyed.) I was heartbroken for Seraphina. I was charmed by Ibrahim. I was encouraged by Christiana.
These four stories are filled with such hope and faith and love that they are bound to both encourage and challenge you.
Bottom Line:
This book is part of the storyweavers series and I can understand why it's called that. The stories are artfully crafted and a real treat to read. I highly recommend this book.
April 7, 2014
"I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." (Isaiah 49:15-16)
Tales of the Not Forgotten is one of several books now by Beth Guckenberger weaving stories from the world of orphan care ministry with the Scriptural promises of God's comfort and faithfulness. This book is aimed specifically at students: 4 stories in 4 chapters, with exercises for reflection at the end of each chapter. The 5th chapter serves to draw the storyline together and pose a challenge to the reader to consider the Story God is writing with their life.
Though aimed at students from upper elementary through high school, we used this with adults as something to read quickly on the plane ride down to Mexico. It worked well in framing our mission and serving experience, and helped keep our eyes open to what God is doing.
UPDATE: Just re-read this with my 9 year old daughter in preparation for her first mission trip to Mexico. It really is a wonderful book.
Tales of the Not Forgotten is one of several books now by Beth Guckenberger weaving stories from the world of orphan care ministry with the Scriptural promises of God's comfort and faithfulness. This book is aimed specifically at students: 4 stories in 4 chapters, with exercises for reflection at the end of each chapter. The 5th chapter serves to draw the storyline together and pose a challenge to the reader to consider the Story God is writing with their life.
Though aimed at students from upper elementary through high school, we used this with adults as something to read quickly on the plane ride down to Mexico. It worked well in framing our mission and serving experience, and helped keep our eyes open to what God is doing.
UPDATE: Just re-read this with my 9 year old daughter in preparation for her first mission trip to Mexico. It really is a wonderful book.
July 25, 2012
This is a religious book, but the stories themselves are so sweet and kind that it can be applied as a children's book as well. The readers don't get to know the characters too much, the stories each have to tell are short. However, what the reader does know about the characters will warm their hearts. The children don't have much to give, but they are willing to go the extra mile to help.
The children come from around the world: India, Mexico, Haiti, and Nigeria. The readers will find that there are many challenges thrown at these children at a very young age. The stories are heart-warming and many adults and children would likely enjoy them. Scripture is tucked into the pages throughout the book along with attention-grabbing pictures. This book is recommended to children and adults who enjoy missionary stories.
The children come from around the world: India, Mexico, Haiti, and Nigeria. The readers will find that there are many challenges thrown at these children at a very young age. The stories are heart-warming and many adults and children would likely enjoy them. Scripture is tucked into the pages throughout the book along with attention-grabbing pictures. This book is recommended to children and adults who enjoy missionary stories.
July 7, 2013
Tales of the Not Forgotten is geared toward young adults, but could easily be read by any adult and definitely would make a great asset to any Sunday School or home school curriculum. Following four different kids, the stories show their story in different parts of the world with different hopes, dreams and questions. What we take for granted they may struggle for or only dream of. It really is an educational eye-opener for youngsters but also they can relate on many levels with them, as well as a up close look at what a mission is and what a missionary does. There is an accompaniment to the book, a DVD that has six kids' mission resources that could be invaluable, paired with the book. There are also wonderful illustrations and pictures that really bring the story to life.
July 6, 2016
Simple yet endearing. I was struck by the book's modest way of storytelling. As a reader, I was humbled by the stories and was amazed at how the tales weaved perfectly with each other. These are tales that would warm your hear and make you reflect about your mission on earth but most of all, it is about the great Storyweaver who reminds us that we are not forgotten.
I love the simple yet since prayers. It reminded me that God doesn't need to hear frivolous or flowery words to communicate with us but He loves to hear from a sincere and honest heart, a heart who eagerly seeks Him. What seemed the end for us is just another beginning for Him.
I love the simple yet since prayers. It reminded me that God doesn't need to hear frivolous or flowery words to communicate with us but He loves to hear from a sincere and honest heart, a heart who eagerly seeks Him. What seemed the end for us is just another beginning for Him.
February 7, 2013
Savored every single chapter and read them to my children. The author wove a beautiful art piece of story, demonstrating alive how God weaves our stories with others and never forgets us. My children (13,11,9) were very impacted and inspired and I hope to read more of this author. She beautifully encapsulates the truth that God's grace transfigures all pain.
December 3, 2012
Didn't think I was going to like this book because it is classified as fiction. Really just the fictionalization (e.g., added digalogue) of true stories. The concluding chapter made her overall point very well.
January 31, 2016
Wow, very compelling!
August 27, 2016
True stories how the Lord has shown people in remote areas He hasn’t forgotten them, that they are loved, seen and cared for by Him every day. A beautiful book. Humbling too.
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August 24, 2017I loved this book. I loved how it told real life stories about people and their real situations! :)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews