Previous Finalists





Finalists 2016

Below is a list of the 2016 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, 2017.

Jump straight to:

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

A Fish in Foreign Waters, A Book for Bilingual Children by Laura Caputo-Wickham and Pamela Goodman
A Fish in Foreign Waters, A Book for Bilingual Children
Author: Laura Caputo-Wickham and Pamela Goodman
Beverlee Beaz the Brown Burmese by Regan W. H. Macaulay
Beverlee Beaz the Brown Burmese
Author: Regan W. H. Macaulay
Magnus Carter by Julian Warrender, Lyndsey Smith
Magnus Carter
Author: Julian Warrender, Lyndsey Smith
Mikey and the Swamp Monster by Jeanne Moran
Mikey and the Swamp Monster
Author: Jeanne Moran
Monkeys on the Beach by David C Hoffman and Ceci Bard
Monkeys on the Beach
Author: David C Hoffman and Ceci Bard
One Fine Summer's Night by Kevin Price
One Fine Summer's Night
Author: Kevin Price
Piccadilly and the Waltzing Wind by Lisa Anne Novelline
Piccadilly and the Waltzing Wind
Author: Lisa Anne Novelline
The Amazing Adventures of Melissa Bee by Aimée Lissantheia
The Amazing Adventures of Melissa Bee
Author: Aimée Lissantheia
Illustrator: Tim Lukowiak
The Loveliest of all was the Froggicorn by Kay Green and Katy Jones
The Loveliest of all was the Froggicorn
Author: Kay Green and Katy Jones
Zak and Jen's Astronomical Adventures: The Petal Planet by Natalie Page, (Illustrator, Chris Rivers Nuttall)
Zak and Jen's Astronomical Adventures: The Petal Planet
Author: Natalie Page, (Illustrator, Chris Rivers Nuttall)
Zuma the Dog: Zuma the Dinosaur Guy by Samantha Bertish
Zuma the Dog: Zuma the Dinosaur Guy
Author: Samantha Bertish

Atalanta, Simon Spence by Colm Lawton
Atalanta, Simon Spence
Author: Colm Lawton
Christmas Cats by R F Kristi
Christmas Cats
Author: R F Kristi
Fairy Dust by W J Scott
Fairy Dust
Author: W J Scott
Finnigan the Circus Cat by Mary Wagner
Finnigan the Circus Cat
Author: Mary Wagner
Horace Burp, Lizard Boy Hero by Christine Tennent
Horace Burp, Lizard Boy Hero
Author: Christine Tennent
I Thought I'd Teach Myself to Shave by Sam Blake, A T Davidson
I Thought I'd Teach Myself to Shave
Author: Sam Blake, A T Davidson
Nickerbacher by Terry John Barto
Nickerbacher
Author: Terry John Barto
One Little Black Nose by Clare Passingham and Amy Brown
One Little Black Nose
Author: Clare Passingham and Amy Brown
Simon Cup's Box by A. B. Syed
Simon Cup's Box
Author: A. B. Syed
Tales of Mr. Snuggywhiskers: The Spring Tales (Volume 3) by C F Crawford
Tales of Mr. Snuggywhiskers: The Spring Tales (Volume 3)
Author: C F Crawford
Illustrator: L H Crawford
The Lonely Little Bumbershoot by Jeff Edwards and Brenda Edwards
The Lonely Little Bumbershoot
Author: Jeff Edwards and Brenda Edwards
Illustrator: Brise Birdsong
Weeds in Nana's Garden by Kathryn Harrison
Weeds in Nana's Garden
Author: Kathryn Harrison

All-In-One: Grades 1-3 by Rachel Billings
All-In-One: Grades 1-3
Author: Rachel Billings
Bending Willow by Jacci Turner
Bending Willow
Author: Jacci Turner
Billy Saves the Day by James Minter
Billy Saves the Day
Author: James Minter
Bumbling Bea by Deborah Baldwin
Bumbling Bea
Author: Deborah Baldwin
Crime Cats: Missing by Wolfgang Parker
Crime Cats: Missing
Author: Wolfgang Parker
Jodie and the Library Card by Julie Hodgson
Jodie and the Library Card
Author: Julie Hodgson
Mandigo and the Hellhounds by Anders Reemark
Mandigo and the Hellhounds
Author: Anders Reemark
Mars Misson by Christopher Peter
Mars Misson
Author: Christopher Peter
My Aunt Manya by José Patterson
My Aunt Manya
Author: José Patterson
My Last Summer on the Moon by Sung-Jin Kang
My Last Summer on the Moon
Author: Sung-Jin Kang
Stealing Magic by Alex C Vick
Stealing Magic
Author: Alex C Vick
The Beat on Ruby's Street by Jenna Zark
The Beat on Ruby's Street
Author: Jenna Zark
The Final Rue of Naveena Bleu by Pamela Hartley
The Final Rue of Naveena Bleu
Author: Pamela Hartley
The King of Average by Gary Schwartz
The King of Average
Author: Gary Schwartz
The Mad Moon Mission by Andrew Guile
The Mad Moon Mission
Author: Andrew Guile
Zombie RiZing First Season by Matt J Pike
Zombie RiZing First Season
Author: Matt J Pike

Chemistry by C.L. Lynch
Chemistry
Author: C.L. Lynch
Diamonds at Dusk by Catalina Claussen
Diamonds at Dusk
Author: Catalina Claussen
Dust: Before and After by S E Smith
Dust: Before and After
Author: S E Smith
Fyrian's Fire by Emily H. Jeffries
Fyrian's Fire
Author: Emily H. Jeffries
Legacy by Ellery A Kane
Legacy
Author: Ellery A Kane
Life After the Undead by Pembroke Sinclair
Life After the Undead
Author: Pembroke Sinclair
Sky Stone by Scarlett Van Dijk
Sky Stone
Author: Scarlett Van Dijk
The Dragons' Chosen by Gwen Dandridge
The Dragons' Chosen
Author: Gwen Dandridge
The Gospel According to St Rage by Karen Eisenbrey
The Gospel According to St Rage
Author: Karen Eisenbrey
The Grey Eyed Storm: The Occuli, Book One by Christie M. Stenzel
The Grey Eyed Storm: The Occuli, Book One
Author: Christie M. Stenzel
The Grid 1: Fall of Justice by Paul Teague
The Grid 1: Fall of Justice
Author: Paul Teague
The Road to Kalbakar by Paul E. Horsman
The Road to Kalbakar
Author: Paul E. Horsman
Thomas Silent by Ben Gribbin
Thomas Silent
Author: Ben Gribbin
UnBlessed by Crystin Goodwin
UnBlessed
Author: Crystin Goodwin
Up, Back and Away by K. Velk
Up, Back and Away
Author: K. Velk
Voyage of the Defiance by S E Smith
Voyage of the Defiance
Author: S E Smith
XODUS by K.J. McPike
XODUS
Author: K.J. McPike

Backwoods Ripper by Anna Willett
Backwoods Ripper
Author: Anna Willett
Blood Dragons by Rosemary A Johns
Blood Dragons
Author: Rosemary A Johns
Circled by Anne McAneny
Circled
Author: Anne McAneny
Cuckoo Clock New York by Elisabeth Marrion
Cuckoo Clock New York
Author: Elisabeth Marrion
Cult Fiction by James Dwyer
Cult Fiction
Author: James Dwyer
Educating Creatures by Mike Williams
Educating Creatures
Author: Mike Williams
Expired Listings by D.M.Barr
Expired Listings
Author: D.M.Barr
Finding Miranda by Iris Chacon
Finding Miranda
Author: Iris Chacon
Hemingway, Three Angels, and Me by Jerome Mark Antil
Hemingway, Three Angels, and Me
Author: Jerome Mark Antil
High Hopes by Sue lilley
High Hopes
Author: Sue lilley
In a Gilded Cage by Susan Appleyard
In a Gilded Cage
Author: Susan Appleyard
Irish Secrets by Paula Martin
Irish Secrets
Author: Paula Martin
Legacy of Hunger by Christy Nicholas
Legacy of Hunger
Author: Christy Nicholas
Magnificent Farewell by Karen J. Hasley
Magnificent Farewell
Author: Karen J. Hasley
Misfortune of Song by Christy Nicholas
Misfortune of Song
Author: Christy Nicholas
Nightsong by M J Rhodes
Nightsong
Author: M J Rhodes
Pages in the Wind by Sally Saylor De Smet
Pages in the Wind
Author: Sally Saylor De Smet
Pride's Children: PURGATORY by Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt
Pride's Children: PURGATORY
Author: Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt
Shattered Lies by S J Francis
Shattered Lies
Author: S J Francis
She Dies at the End by A. M. Manay
She Dies at the End
Author: A. M. Manay
Silvana The Greening by Belinda Mellor
Silvana The Greening
Author: Belinda Mellor
The Allure of the Red Wyrm by Mike Williams
The Allure of the Red Wyrm
Author: Mike Williams
The Battle of Jericho by Walter Marks
The Battle of Jericho
Author: Walter Marks
The Carlswick Conspiracy by S L Beaumont
The Carlswick Conspiracy
Author: S L Beaumont
The EvoAngel by Ellen King Rice
The EvoAngel
Author: Ellen King Rice
The Fridge Drawings by D. Bunyan
The Fridge Drawings
Author: D. Bunyan
The Migrant Report by Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar
The Migrant Report
Author: Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar
Toru: Wayfarer Returns by Stephanie R. Sorensen
Toru: Wayfarer Returns
Author: Stephanie R. Sorensen
Waking the Merrow by Heather Rigney
Waking the Merrow
Author: Heather Rigney
Wrinkled Heartbeats by Temple Emmet Williams
Wrinkled Heartbeats
Author: Temple Emmet Williams

Book Blueprint by Jacqui Pretty
Book Blueprint
Author: Jacqui Pretty
Cruising the Mediterranean by Sunny & Al Lockwood
Cruising the Mediterranean
Author: Sunny & Al Lockwood
Deliverance Mary Fields by Miantae Metcalf McConnell
Deliverance Mary Fields
Author: Miantae Metcalf McConnell
Fire-Floats and Fireboats by David C Pike
Fire-Floats and Fireboats
Author: David C Pike
Part of the Family by Jason Hensley
Part of the Family
Author: Jason Hensley
Sightseeing in the Undiscovered Country by Louisa Oakley Green
Sightseeing in the Undiscovered Country
Author: Louisa Oakley Green
The Baby Files by Alisa Yingling
The Baby Files
Author: Alisa Yingling
The Elephant In The Mirror by Annette Earl
The Elephant In The Mirror
Author: Annette Earl
The Little Book on CBT for Depression by Dr James Manning, Dr Nicola Ridgewa
The Little Book on CBT for Depression
Author: Dr James Manning, Dr Nicola Ridgewa
The Spirit of the Hedgerow by Jo Dunbar
The Spirit of the Hedgerow
Author: Jo Dunbar
The Young Skin Diet: by Michelle Lee
The Young Skin Diet:
Author: Michelle Lee

A Red Ribbon is awarded to a book that did NOT get over 30/40 to be a finalist, but was still very much enjoyed by the readers.

A Month with Starfish by Bev Jackson
Red Ribbon

A Month with Starfish
Author: Bev Jackson
Baby X by Rebecca Ann Smith
Red Ribbon

Baby X
Author: Rebecca Ann Smith
Beyond the Fells by Wyn Jackman
Red Ribbon

Beyond the Fells
Author: Wyn Jackman
Beyond the Lens by Hannah Ellis
Red Ribbon

Beyond the Lens
Author: Hannah Ellis
Didn't Get Frazzled by David Z Hirsch
Red Ribbon

Didn't Get Frazzled
Author: David Z Hirsch
Juma's Rain by Katharina Gerlach
Red Ribbon

Juma's Rain
Author: Katharina Gerlach
Loves' Long Road by G D Harper
Red Ribbon

Loves' Long Road
Author: G D Harper
Merlin's Vow by Rosie Morgan
Red Ribbon

Merlin's Vow
Author: Rosie Morgan
So Complicated by Rumki Chowdhury
Red Ribbon

So Complicated
Author: Rumki Chowdhury
Split by Lee Abbey
Red Ribbon

Split
Author: Lee Abbey
The Demon's Call by Kim Gravell
Red Ribbon

The Demon's Call
Author: Kim Gravell
The Girl from Oto by Amy Maroney
Red Ribbon

The Girl from Oto
Author: Amy Maroney
The Green Door by Christopher Bowden
Red Ribbon

The Green Door
Author: Christopher Bowden
The McCall Initiative Episodes 1.1-1.3 by Lisa Nowak
Red Ribbon

The McCall Initiative Episodes 1.1-1.3
Author: Lisa Nowak
The Phantom of Faerie Mountain by E M McIntyre
Red Ribbon

The Phantom of Faerie Mountain
Author: E M McIntyre
To the Transplant Games by Caroline McIntosh
Red Ribbon

To the Transplant Games
Author: Caroline McIntosh
Twist and Mix by Fay Wentworth
Red Ribbon

Twist and Mix
Author: Fay Wentworth
Working Title by Will Macmillan Jones
Red Ribbon

Working Title
Author: Will Macmillan Jones
Woven Peril by Jeffrey Collyer
Red Ribbon

Woven Peril
Author: Jeffrey Collyer

Sponsored Ads



Rainbow Bridge
Ever wondered where your
dog ends up after this life?
Amazon


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


Pumpkin King Saves Christmas
How Santa became jolly with
the help of the Pumpkin King.
Amazon


Church of the Assassin
A brutal purge. A reason
to live. A reason to kill.
Amazon


The Shadow Deception
Can a pranking pixie and a
grumpy angel save the world?
Amazon


Tatiana and the Russian Wolves
A Russian émigré reconciles
tragic family secrets
www.stephenevansjordan.com


JOYFUL LIFE PRESS
Books and workbooks that
entertain, support and inspire
www.joyfullifepress.com


There's a Duck in the House
TWSA FINALIST 2023
Large Format with Large Text
Amazon


Moonshine Mesa
Why are bees, crows &
humans dying at the Mesa?
Amazon


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


For Evil Done & Evil Suffered
Gripping murder mystery; tease
the brain & stir the senses.
Amazon


A Tree in Time
A fabilious journey into
the distant past.
gentlpresspublishing.co.uk


The One Week Writing Workshop
7 Days to Spark, Boost
or Revive Your Novel
Amazon


THE DARKWOLF SAGA (YA)
Embark on a harrowing journey
into fantasy and adventure.
Amazon


In Other Words, Poetic Journey
Explore life through the eyes
of a tireless wanderer
Amazon


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


The Fungus Among Us
Encourage children to explore
and connect to nature
Amazon


Jemma and the Raven
A luminous adventure in
this epic YA fantasy debut
Amazon


I Never Said I Love You
A story of travel, friendship,
forgiveness, & roads not taken
Amazon


Literary Historical Fiction
Karma and horses drive one
family through 2500 Years.
Amazon


I’m Going to Have a Sister
For new siblings teaching
patience & understanding
thegreatbritishbookshop


PWF for Women 40+
Paranormal Women's Fiction -
NEW SERIES!
books2read.com


BELIEVING IN HORSES
Ride away with the
Believing in Horses books!
Amazon


The Eye of Nineveh (thriller)
They found a gem powered by
the gods. Now, it´s vanished.
Amazon


CHARLES DARWIN...
An entertaining learning
resource for curious kids.
www.alanhesse.com


Moving Men by Karene Horst
A modern novel, relationships
% the scars they leave behind
Flying Trees Publishing


Winds of Discontent
Gun running, investigative
reporter and Yvonne
Amazon


Forever Boy
Isaac comes to realize his new
friend harbors dark secrets.
books2read


The Power of...
kindness, gratitude,
empathy & positivity
Amazon


The Last Lumenian
Most princesses need saving.
This one saves you.
Amazon


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


SKY ICE
Demon hunters. Slow-burn
romance. Hidden world.
Amazon


Tilda Finds Her Rainbow
Journey of kindness, courage,
friendship and forgiveness
nicolaalewis.com


Arni's Adventures
Pet dinosaur, bear, cat story
for the young reader.
Ashok


SONG FOR MY FATHER
"A gripping drama...a FINALIST
and highly recommended." TWSA
Amazon


The War Ongoing: Knightfall
Knights embark on adventure
where sci-fi & fantasy collide
Amazon


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


Rooted and Remembered
An orphaned boy wonders if
home is a place or a feeling.
Goodreads


THE SAD PRINCESS
Refinding joy with our
children is not a fairy tale
Amazon


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


THE S.O.U.R.C.E.
Marine Animals, Kids
Miracle Escape, Powerful Messa
Amazon


REVOLUTION: A NOVEL
Comical misadventures in
modern Los Angeles
Amazon


THREE DETAIL STORIES audiobks
Where storytime is an
adventure designed by kids
threedetailaudiobooks


Dislodged
“An LGBTQ+ thriller and a
tale for the working class…”
Amazon


Butterfly with a Broken Wing
Children's mental health story
It's ok NOT to be ok
Amazon


Alphamind
Embark on a journey into the
depths of the human spirit!
Amazon


Oscar and Friends...
will help you along, sharing
a world where everyone belongs
mollyarbuthnott


Anna and the Adders
A rhyming counting book
to get little ones learning
Amazon


Digging Deep by Dexter Hutt
She can cope with murder -
but what about betrayal?
Amazon


The Open Book
A family memoir of adventure,
trauma, & resilience
Amazon


Children of the Realm
Girl finds mythical origins
in YA urban fantasy
Amazon


Puppy Pals and Puppy Tales
Letters from the family
dog’s point of view, 5-9 yrs.
Amazon


Marvelous Mood-Mending Meadow
Picture Book About Gratitude &
Dealing with Kids Emotions
Amazon


Marlon and the Scary Something
Scaredy cat finds courage,
foils fear, wins friend
Amazon


Children of the Knight
When the children rise,
will the city fall?
Amazon





What You Cannot See
A woman trying to navigate
and understand her life
Amazon


THE SOCIETY
A NATION is on the brink...
Only 1 woman can stop it
Amazon


No Death in Finding Nemo
Stories of mundane lives which
change in surprising ways
www.jeffreyfeingold.com


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