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.

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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
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
How Popcorn the Bear Found His Name! by Debbie Howard
How Popcorn the Bear Found His Name!
Author: Debbie Howard
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
Popcorn the Bear & Biscuit's Odd Ears! by Debbie Howard
Popcorn the Bear & Biscuit's Odd Ears!
Author: Debbie Howard
Popcorn the Bear & the Mysterious Snowman! by Debbie Howard
Popcorn the Bear & the Mysterious Snowman!
Author: Debbie Howard
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
The Number Story 1 / The Number Story 2 by Miss Anna
The Number Story 1 / The Number Story 2
Author: Miss Anna
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

Category 2: Books for 6 - 8 year olds
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

Category 3: Books for 9 - 12 year olds
All-In-One: Grades 1-3 by Rachel Billings
All-In-One: Grades 1-3
Author: Rachel Billings
Arnie Jenks and the House of Strangers by Tim Bradley
Arnie Jenks and the House of Strangers
Author: Tim Bradley
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
Creepy, Funny & Just Plain Weird: Stories and poems for kids by Maranda Russell
Creepy, Funny & Just Plain Weird: Stories and poems for kids
Author: Maranda Russell
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
Legend of the Forest Beast by Don Winn
Legend of the Forest Beast
Author: Don Winn
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
Star Sapphire and the Land of the Gems, The Ride of Doom by Anthony Pardoe
Star Sapphire and the Land of the Gems, The Ride of Doom
Author: Anthony Pardoe
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 Cats Who Crossed Over from Paris by R F Kristi
The Cats Who Crossed Over from Paris
Author: R F Kristi
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

Category 4: Books for Teenagers
Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy by Paula Berinstein
Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy
Author: Paula Berinstein
Calamity Jane: How the West Began by Bryan Ney
Calamity Jane: How the West Began
Author: Bryan Ney
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
Resist: Book Two of the Resistance Series by Tracy Lawson
Resist: Book Two of the Resistance Series
Author: Tracy Lawson
Rimrider (Rimrider Adventures Book 1) by L A Kelley
Rimrider (Rimrider Adventures Book 1)
Author: L A Kelley
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
The Yellow Hoods, Along Came a Wolf by Adam Dreece
The Yellow Hoods, Along Came a Wolf
Author: Adam Dreece
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

Category 5: Books for adults (fiction)
Absence - Volume One: Whispers and Shadow by J B Forsyth
Absence - Volume One: Whispers and Shadow
Author: J B Forsyth
Backwoods Ripper by Anna Willett
Backwoods Ripper
Author: Anna Willett
Blood Dragons by Rosemary A Johns
Blood Dragons
Author: Rosemary A Johns
Camelot's Queen (Guinevere's Tale: Book 2) by Nicole Evelina
Camelot's Queen (Guinevere's Tale: Book 2)
Author: Nicole Evelina
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
Daughter of Destiny (Guinevere's Tale: Book 1) by Nicole Evelina
Daughter of Destiny (Guinevere's Tale: Book 1)
Author: Nicole Evelina
Educating Creatures by Mike Williams
Educating Creatures
Author: Mike Williams
Expired Listings by D.M.Barr
Expired Listings
Author: D.M.Barr
Fall of the Cities: Planting the Orchard by Vance Huxley
Fall of the Cities: Planting the Orchard
Author: Vance Huxley
Finding Miranda by Iris Chacon
Finding Miranda
Author: Iris Chacon
Grendel's Mother: The Saga of the Wyrd-Wife by Susan Morrison
Grendel's Mother: The Saga of the Wyrd-Wife
Author: Susan Morrison
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
Nine Lifelines: A Psycho Cat and the Landlady Mystery by Joyce Ann Brown
Nine Lifelines: A Psycho Cat and the Landlady Mystery
Author: Joyce Ann Brown
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 Body on the Barstool (A Top Shelf Mystery) by Lolli Powell
The Body on the Barstool (A Top Shelf Mystery)
Author: Lolli Powell
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
The Rose Within - A Gothic Romance by Sana Pirzada
The Rose Within - A Gothic Romance
Author: Sana Pirzada
Toru: Wayfarer Returns by Stephanie R. Sorensen
Toru: Wayfarer Returns
Author: Stephanie R. Sorensen
Twice as Long, Half as Bright by J D Turner
Twice as Long, Half as Bright
Author: J D Turner
Waking the Merrow by Heather Rigney
Waking the Merrow
Author: Heather Rigney
Wrinkled Heartbeats by Temple Emmet Williams
Wrinkled Heartbeats
Author: Temple Emmet Williams

Category 6: Books for Adults (non-fiction)
90 Lessons for Living Large in 90 Square Feet by Felice Cohen
90 Lessons for Living Large in 90 Square Feet
Author: Felice Cohen
Book Blueprint by Jacqui Pretty
Book Blueprint
Author: Jacqui Pretty
Cruising the Mediterranean by Sunny & Al Lockwood
Cruising the Mediterranean
Author: Sunny & Al Lockwood
Dad FC: Debut Dads - The First Season of Fatherhood by Alex Goss
Dad FC: Debut Dads - The First Season of Fatherhood
Author: Alex Goss
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
Into Africa with 3 Kids, 13 Crates and a Husband by Ann Patras
Into Africa with 3 Kids, 13 Crates and a Husband
Author: Ann Patras
Maternity Leavers: what to do about work now you're a mum by Soozi Baggs
Maternity Leavers: what to do about work now you're a mum
Author: Soozi Baggs
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
Valley Speak: Deciphering the Jargon of Silicon Valley by Rochelle Kopp
Valley Speak: Deciphering the Jargon of Silicon Valley
Author: Rochelle Kopp

Red Ribbon Bands

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
The Precious Pachyderm (An Evangeline Adams Mystery Book 1) by Karen Christino
Red Ribbon

The Precious Pachyderm (An Evangeline Adams Mystery Book 1)
Author: Karen Christino
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

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