Previous Finalists





Finalists 2015

Below is a list of the 2015 FINALISTS in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. The children's books were read and judged by children in 8 UK primary and secondary schools, the adult books by 2 Reading Groups, 1 in London and 1 in Stockholm. The books were marked according to EDITING, THEME, STYLE, COVER and, in the case of many of the children's books, ILLUSTRATIONS.

The WINNERS will be announced on April 1st, .

Jump straight to:

If you happen to be looking for a good read, the readers at The Wishing Shelf Awards thoroughly recommend the following:

Category 1: Pre-school picture books
Do You Dream of Dinosaurs by Sally Alce
Do You Dream of Dinosaurs
Author: Sally Alce
Feeding Time at the Zoo by Kevin Price
Feeding Time at the Zoo
Author: Kevin Price
How It Happened in Hotterly Hollow by Tracey L Coutts
How It Happened in Hotterly Hollow
Author: Tracey L Coutts
Illustrator: Colleen Holub
My Mummy is an Engineer by Kerrine Bryan, Jason Bryan
My Mummy is an Engineer
Author: Kerrine Bryan, Jason Bryan
Odysseus by Simon Spence
Odysseus
Author: Simon Spence
Space Cop Zack, Protector of the Galaxy by Don Winn
Space Cop Zack, Protector of the Galaxy
Author: Don Winn
The Adventures of Zuma the Dog, Zuma Likes To Dig by Samantha Bertish
The Adventures of Zuma the Dog, Zuma Likes To Dig
Author: Samantha Bertish
The Frog Who Loved Mathematics by Faiz Kermani
The Frog Who Loved Mathematics
Author: Faiz Kermani
The Pirate Train by Nicole Plyler Fisk
The Pirate Train
Author: Nicole Plyler Fisk

Category 2: Books for 6 - 8 year olds
A Knock at the Door by Helen Yeomans
A Knock at the Door
Author: Helen Yeomans
Do Not Feed the Troll! by Ryan Cartwright
Do Not Feed the Troll!
Author: Ryan Cartwright
Ginger the Buddha Cat by Frank Kusy
Ginger the Buddha Cat
Author: Frank Kusy
Gollywood, Here I Come! by Terry John Barto
Gollywood, Here I Come!
Author: Terry John Barto
Horace Burp by Chris Tennent
Horace Burp
Author: Chris Tennent
Nickerbacher, The Funniest Dragon by Terry John Barto
Nickerbacher, The Funniest Dragon
Author: Terry John Barto
Tales of Mr. Snuggywhiskers: The Autumn Tales by C. F. Crawford
Tales of Mr. Snuggywhiskers: The Autumn Tales
Author: C. F. Crawford
The Forever Tree by Hilary Hawkes
The Forever Tree
Author: Hilary Hawkes
The Most Ferocious of Creatures by Chris Sykes
The Most Ferocious of Creatures
Author: Chris Sykes
The Mouse Who Howled at the Moon by Sarah Hindmarsh
The Mouse Who Howled at the Moon
Author: Sarah Hindmarsh

Category 3: Books for 9 - 12 year olds
Aoleon, The Martian Girl by Brent LeVasseur
Aoleon, The Martian Girl
Author: Brent LeVasseur
Bees in my Bananas by Neal Zetter
Bees in my Bananas
Author: Neal Zetter
Beggar Charlie by Madeleine McLaughlin
Beggar Charlie
Author: Madeleine McLaughlin
Danny Chaucer's Flying Saucer by Christopher Peter
Danny Chaucer's Flying Saucer
Author: Christopher Peter
Frankie Dupont and the High Seas Heist by Julie Grasso
Frankie Dupont and the High Seas Heist
Author: Julie Grasso
Frankie Dupont and the Lemon Festival Fiasco by Julie Grasso
Frankie Dupont and the Lemon Festival Fiasco
Author: Julie Grasso
Gorgeous George and the Zigzag Zit-faced Zombies by Stuart Reid
Gorgeous George and the Zigzag Zit-faced Zombies
Author: Stuart Reid
Hieroglyph by Wendy Scott
Hieroglyph
Author: Wendy Scott
Jesper Jinx by Marko Kitti
Jesper Jinx
Author: Marko Kitti
Klubbe the Turkle and the Golden Star Coracle by Philip Dodd
Klubbe the Turkle and the Golden Star Coracle
Author: Philip Dodd
Oldenglen by Robin Mason Michael Mason
Oldenglen
Author: Robin Mason Michael Mason
Sunny Turner and the Deadly Bite by Libby Whittaker
Sunny Turner and the Deadly Bite
Author: Libby Whittaker
Taylor Davis and the Flame of Findul by Michelle Isenhoff
Taylor Davis and the Flame of Findul
Author: Michelle Isenhoff
The Amazing Brain of O C Longbotham by Barbara Spencer
The Amazing Brain of O C Longbotham
Author: Barbara Spencer
The Extraordinary Book of Doors by Anne Nydam
The Extraordinary Book of Doors
Author: Anne Nydam
The Fantastic House by Jennifer Lewis
The Fantastic House
Author: Jennifer Lewis
The Roads of Luhonono: Book1 LEGEND OF THE EAST ROAD by Hamilton Hill
The Roads of Luhonono: Book1 LEGEND OF THE EAST ROAD
Author: Hamilton Hill
The Sound Catcher by Graham Garrity
The Sound Catcher
Author: Graham Garrity
The Staircase on Pine Street by Mariana Llanos
The Staircase on Pine Street
Author: Mariana Llanos
There Is No Fear (Children of the Knight III), Book 3 by Michael J Bowler
There Is No Fear (Children of the Knight III), Book 3
Author: Michael J Bowler
Warrior Kids: A Tale of New Camelot by Michael Bowler
Warrior Kids: A Tale of New Camelot
Author: Michael Bowler

Category 4: Books for Teenagers
Alby and Me by John C Bird
Alby and Me
Author: John C Bird
Alex Finch: Monster Hunter (The Monster Files Book 1) by Cate Dean
Alex Finch: Monster Hunter (The Monster Files Book 1)
Author: Cate Dean
Apocalypse: Diary of a Survivor by Matt Pike
Apocalypse: Diary of a Survivor
Author: Matt Pike
Beyond the Gloaming by Brendan Murphy
Beyond the Gloaming
Author: Brendan Murphy
Collision by P J Byer
Collision
Author: P J Byer
Community 17 by James Cardona
Community 17
Author: James Cardona
Connected by Kat Stiles
Connected
Author: Kat Stiles
Counteract by Tracy Lawson
Counteract
Author: Tracy Lawson
dEaDINBURGH: Vantage by Mark Wilson
dEaDINBURGH: Vantage
Author: Mark Wilson
Don't Call Me Kit Kat by K. J. Farnham
Don't Call Me Kit Kat
Author: K. J. Farnham
Echo Across Time, Book 1 in the Echo Saga by Skye Genaro
Echo Across Time, Book 1 in the Echo Saga
Author: Skye Genaro
Escape from B-Movie Hell by M T McGuire
Escape from B-Movie Hell
Author: M T McGuire
Eternal Hearts by Alice Berman
Eternal Hearts
Author: Alice Berman
Fraud at Snowfields by Daniel Klock
Fraud at Snowfields
Author: Daniel Klock
H.A.L.F. The Deep Beneath by Natalie Wright
H.A.L.F. The Deep Beneath
Author: Natalie Wright
Joshua's Island by Patrick Hodges
Joshua's Island
Author: Patrick Hodges
Oy Yew by Ana Salote
Oy Yew
Author: Ana Salote
Seventh Child by Peter R Ellis
Seventh Child
Author: Peter R Ellis
Spinner by Michael J Bowler
Spinner
Author: Michael J Bowler
The Secrets of the Home Wood: The Sacrifice by Julie Whitley
The Secrets of the Home Wood: The Sacrifice
Author: Julie Whitley

Category 5: Books for adults (fiction)
All the Skies I will not See: A Novella (A Touch of Cinnamon series) by Petra March
All the Skies I will not See: A Novella (A Touch of Cinnamon series)
Author: Petra March
Along the Far Shores by Kristin Gleeson
Along the Far Shores
Author: Kristin Gleeson
Anonymous by Christine Benedict
Anonymous
Author: Christine Benedict
Broken by Angela B. Chrysler
Broken
Author: Angela B. Chrysler
Day Trips to Heaven, Adventures in the Afterlife by T J Hobbs
Day Trips to Heaven, Adventures in the Afterlife
Author: T J Hobbs
Friends Like These by Hannah Ellis
Friends Like These
Author: Hannah Ellis
Holy Island by L J Ross
Holy Island
Author: L J Ross
Lavender & Haddock by Mike Williams
Lavender & Haddock
Author: Mike Williams
Love and Other Acts of Courage by Ann Warner
Love and Other Acts of Courage
Author: Ann Warner
Orphan Moon by T.K. Lukas
Orphan Moon
Author: T.K. Lukas
Orphans, Assassins and the Existential Eggplant by J.T. Gillett
Orphans, Assassins and the Existential Eggplant
Author: J.T. Gillett
Plaint for Provence by Jean Gill
Plaint for Provence
Author: Jean Gill
Project Butterfly by K. A. Angliss
Project Butterfly
Author: K. A. Angliss
Raven Bought the Light by Kristen Gleeson
Raven Bought the Light
Author: Kristen Gleeson
Sea Music by Briege Brannigan
Sea Music
Author: Briege Brannigan
Second Chances by Lincoln Cole
Second Chances
Author: Lincoln Cole
Send My Love by Mike Crowley
Send My Love
Author: Mike Crowley
The Black Swans by N.W. Moors
The Black Swans
Author: N.W. Moors
The Borderline Diaries by Elisa Frank
The Borderline Diaries
Author: Elisa Frank
The Erotica Club for Nice Ladies by Connie Spittler
The Erotica Club for Nice Ladies
Author: Connie Spittler
The Forgotten by Amanda Witt
The Forgotten
Author: Amanda Witt
The Galician Parallax by James Skinner
The Galician Parallax
Author: James Skinner
The Gift Counselor by Sheila M. Cronin
The Gift Counselor
Author: Sheila M. Cronin
The House of Three Murders by Gary J George
The House of Three Murders
Author: Gary J George
The Improbable Wonders of Moojie Littleman by Robin Gregory
The Improbable Wonders of Moojie Littleman
Author: Robin Gregory
The Kota Bk 1 by Sunshine Somerville
The Kota Bk 1
Author: Sunshine Somerville
The Piltdown Picasso by Robin Richards
The Piltdown Picasso
Author: Robin Richards
The Porter's Wife by Lisa Brown
The Porter's Wife
Author: Lisa Brown
The Post-It-Note Affair by Justine Avery
The Post-It-Note Affair
Author: Justine Avery
The Rival by Sandra Gustafsson
The Rival
Author: Sandra Gustafsson
The Seeds of Sorrow by Lisa Brown
The Seeds of Sorrow
Author: Lisa Brown
The Watch by Amanda Witt
The Watch
Author: Amanda Witt
The Watercress Girls by Kay Seeley
The Watercress Girls
Author: Kay Seeley
The Wrong Kind of Man by Lolli Powell
The Wrong Kind of Man
Author: Lolli Powell
Wanton Regard by Geoffrey Neil
Wanton Regard
Author: Geoffrey Neil
Wild Water by Jan Ruth
Wild Water
Author: Jan Ruth

Category 6: Books for Adults (non-fiction)
A Scion of Heroes by Stuart McCulloch
A Scion of Heroes
Author: Stuart McCulloch
Chickens Eat Pasta: Escape to Umbria by Clare Pedrick
Chickens Eat Pasta: Escape to Umbria
Author: Clare Pedrick
Days of Love: Celebrating LGBT History One Story at a Time by Ellisa Rolle
Days of Love: Celebrating LGBT History One Story at a Time
Author: Ellisa Rolle
Don't Cry, Pappa by Gunnar Skollingsberg
Don't Cry, Pappa
Author: Gunnar Skollingsberg
Free Yourself from Workplace Bullying: Become Bully-Proof and Regain Control of Your Life by Aryanne Oade
Free Yourself from Workplace Bullying: Become Bully-Proof and Regain Control of Your Life
Author: Aryanne Oade
Inside the Crocodile, The Papua New Guinea Journals by Trish Nicholson
Inside the Crocodile, The Papua New Guinea Journals
Author: Trish Nicholson
London's Firefighters by David Pike
London's Firefighters
Author: David Pike
Managing Bubbie by Russel Lazega
Managing Bubbie
Author: Russel Lazega
Spices and Seasons: Simple, Sustainable Indian Flavors by Rinku Bhattacharya
Spices and Seasons: Simple, Sustainable Indian Flavors
Author: Rinku Bhattacharya
The Perpetual Paycheck: by Lori B. Rassas
The Perpetual Paycheck:
Author: Lori B. Rassas
The Secrets of Islay: A tale of golf, marathons, and single malt by Robert Kroeger
The Secrets of Islay: A tale of golf, marathons, and single malt
Author: Robert Kroeger
Track-Two Diplomacy toward an Israeli-Palestinian Solution, 1978–2014 by Yair Hirschfeld
Track-Two Diplomacy toward an Israeli-Palestinian Solution, 1978–2014
Author: Yair Hirschfeld
Tutorin' Tim's Phonics: Lessons by Timothy Houge
Tutorin' Tim's Phonics: Lessons
Author: Timothy Houge
Watery Ways by Val Poore
Watery Ways
Author: Val Poore
Woody Allen, Reel to Real by Alex Sheremet
Woody Allen, Reel to Real
Author: Alex Sheremet


Sponsored Ads



Then We'll Say Goodnight
How would you get your
unruly puppies back to bed?
Amazon

WHINGEY WILLIAMS Term 1
Follow Whingey on her FIRST
adventure on Gower
Amazon

Sam & Me & the Hard Pear Tree
A personal account of
a mother’s ultimate loss
Amazon

Popina & Slumberina
Join in a Magical Journey of
Growth and Self Discovery
Amazon

Out of the Darkness...
A memoir of animal
connections, love, and healing
books2read.com

JUST RIVER
Hilarious and grave.
A story of resilience.
Amazon

Wartime Secrets, Family Lies
London to life in Washington
in a family of secrets
Amazon

DRAGONDAH (9 - 12 year olds)
Solving ancient mysteries and
outwitting scheming villains!
Amazon

The B-17 Tomahawk Warrior
"This happened in 1944 but
honored 80 years later!"
Amazon

MORATURI LOST
Ship lost in Andromeda:
The vet is now Captain!
Amazon

Aunty Jane Knits Up A Storm
Knitting, Friendship, Loss &
Healing in a Children's Story
Amazon

Master of Music - Marla Himeda
Book 1 of a unique,
inspirational fantasy series!
Amazon

Clouds on the Ground
Poems exploring natural beauty
and the realm of dreams
Amazon

RAVEN'S GRAVE Charlotte Stuart
Betrayal and death in
an Alaskan Tlingit village.
Amazon

WHEN JESUS CALLS
A Story of Undeniable Faith.
TWSA 2023 FINALIST
marthagayle

The Faraway Mountains
A memorable novel about
growing up under dictatorship
Amazon

The Accidental Boyfriend
Slightly steamy, fake dating,
celebrity young adult romcom
lorifreeland

PICTURE THE ALPHABET
Find over 150 objects, learn
letters & build vocabulary.
Amazon

Don't Look Too Tasty
Hungry aliens, missing
friends. Who can you trust?
Amazon

A Trip From God, Book 1
NEW gods NEW religion NEW
prophet NEW order OLD insanity
Amazon

Comfort in the Wings
A woman’s inspiring quest for
comfort and joy after grief
Amazon

Life with psychopathic brother
A quirky philosophical novel
about forgiveness.
linnaspen.com

Winkle and Aster
Urban fantasy that takes
imagination to its limits
books2read

Destiny Lives on Fairhaven St.
A father's true story to his
sons. Winner of 17 awards.
Amazon

THE FISH TANK - short stories
NARRATIVES ABOUT LIFE, EXILE,
GHOSTS…AND MURDER.
books2read

Marco & Me
Stories & photos of the
adventures of a real dog
Amazon

Gigglet Goes to School
Get your giggle on with
Gigglet. Perfect for 0 - 6 yrs
AMB Kids Books

SIN EATER
A girl with the power to
erase ANY bad memory!
Amazon

Perfect Middle Grade Series
Montana and her friends
save the forest animals!
Amazon

MUMMY TRUMPS
A rhyming flatulent book that
is fun for all of the family.
Amazon

My Year at the Good Bean Café
Weird and inexplicable events
and their effect on our lives
Amazon

The Pond of Reflection
A Fantasy Adventure - Teamwork
Friendship & Self-Discovery
Amazon

Battle for Eklatros
Can Ànifa’s party save
Eklatros from the invasion?
Amazon

Wild Atlantic Way Anthology
Characters along Ireland’s
Majestic Coast
Amazon

The Broken Wife
A gripping tale of love,
loss, and BETRAYAL.
Amazon

My Solo Wedding in Santorini
A true story. Honest,
thought-provoking & funny .
blogaboutl

THE JEWEL OF WENZLO
An epic conflict
between rodent kings
Amazon

REVOLUTION
A contemporary
satirical novel
Amazon

Escape From Peconic Bay
A fast-paced, historical novel
set during the run up to WW2
books2read

Exclusion Zone
The VORKOSIGAN SAGA
meets DIE HARD.
Amazon

Gollogans of Carrickgollogan
An exciting woodland
adventure story for 7-9s
Amazon

The Halloween Candy MONSTER
Jimmy teaches the Halloween
candy monster a lesson
Amazon

Around the Globe
The Adventures of Squishy
and Boo, Book 3
Amazon

LOOK AWAY NO MORE
A story rich in history & love
at a Georgia college in 1970.
Amazon

THE COIN
CAN FINDING A COIN
GET YOU KILLED?
books2read

IT'S OKAY NOT TO BE FABULOUS
A guide to finding self-love
and achieving your destiny💙
Amazon

Publishing Questions?
Find easy to understand
answers, top tips & more.
oldmatemedia

THE PORTAL KEEPER
Enter a world of Fantastic
Creatures and Magic!
books2read

I FEEL YOUR STARE
An Autobiography by Cheryl
Gillespie - Book Award Winner!
Amazon

Sprout's Surprise!
A humorous story with
a gentle ecofriendly message
Amazon

MEMOIR OF A MANGLED MIND
Steve's 2 other personalities
wreak havoc all around him
Amazon

Selfish Shellfish & Sick Sea
An environmental gem for the
age. Get your copy at:
theprolificword.com

Into The Shadows
Journey from naïve university
student to a great spy.
marinemoments.uk

A HARD SILENCE
Grief, love, and learning to
speak the unspeakable
www.vineleavespress.com

THE MAGIC OF KINDNESS
Join the adventure with
the cat witches here:
Amazon


Advertise Here Now


LADY IN RED
Teen sleuths search for
a missing masterpiece.
Amazon

Smurgle The Windy Dragon
By Jane Clack, ill. by Lucy
Nicholson. A FUN PICTURE BOOK!
Amazon

Epistolary
Mandy writes about her
life until tragedy strikes.
Amazon

The Putaway Monster
A delightful mystery to
solve as toys disappear.
Amazon


Advertise Here Now


Useful Links

What Authors Say | Important Stuff | Our Supporters | Medals | Meet Billy Bob Buttons | For Readers | Gallery | Editing
Archived Finalists | Archived Winners | Rules | Winning a Book Award, A Tool in a Toolbox | Editorial Reviews | Books of the Month | BOOKS OF THE DECADE

Sign Up to our Newsletter