Finalists 2021
Below is a list of the 2021 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, 2022.
Jump straight to:
- Category 1: Pre-school picture books
- Category 2: Books for 6 - 8 year olds
- Category 3: Books for 9 - 12 year olds
- Category 4: Books for Teenagers
- Category 5: Books for adults (fiction)
- Category 6: Books for Adults (non-fiction)
- Category 7: Audio Book - Children/Young Adult
- Category 8: Audio Book - Adult
- Category 9: Best Book Cover - Children/Young Adult
- Category 10: Best Book Cover - Adult
- Red Ribbon Bands
If you happen to be looking for a good read, the readers at The Wishing Shelf Awards thoroughly recommend the following:
Nurse Bear Does First Aid: Picture Book to Learn First Aid Skills for Toddlers and Kids
Author: Marta Almansa Esteva
Olive the Worrying Wiener: A Short Tale about a Particularly Long Dog
Author: Ally Arena
Illustrator: Rafaela Sukiyama
Monster in the Water: Fighting Back Against Harmful Algal Blooms
Author: Dylan Dagate
Illustrator: Maria Decerce
Sticky Icky Vicky: Courage over Fear
Author: Alysia Ssentamu, Michael Ssentamu
Illustrator: Noor Alshalabi
Audacious Goals, Remarkable Results: How an Explorer, an Engineer and a Statesman shaped our Modern World
Author: Brad Borkan and David Hirzel
Black, White, And Gray All Over; A Black Man’s Odyssey in Life and Law Enforcement
Author: Frederick Reynolds
Just Say "$%#&! NO!†Book Dedicated to the Well-Intended Overextended!
Author: Heather Tobin
Illustrator: Karen Tobin
Kings, Conquerors, Psychopaths: From Alexander to Hitler to the Corporation
Author: Joseph N Abraham MD
Grandpa Jock and the Incredible Iron-Bru-Man Incident: Gorgeous George
Author: Stuart Reid
Performed by: Stuart Reid
Fries & Alibis: Paranormal Cozy Mystery: Mitzy Moon Mysteries Series, Book 1
Author: Trixie Silvertale
Performed by: Coleen Marlo
Systemology: Create Time, Reduce Errors and Scale Your Profits with Proven Business Systems
Author: David Jenyns
The Essential Family Guide to Caring for Older People
Author: Deborah Stone
Performed by: Maggie Ollerenshaw
Little Wade and Watchtower: Abigail and the Great Gang Trap
Author: Sean March
Cover Designer: Joe Ruiz
Rory, Quest for the Northern Lights
Author: Sarah Cullen, Carmen Ellis
Cover Designer: Zuzana Svobodova
The Young Adult’s Collection of Short Scary Stories
Author: Michael Ross
Cover Designer: Magdalena Adić
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.
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Monty and the Monster
Heartwarming adventure
of an unlikely friendship
Amazon
The Puppet Maker's Daughter
Marika protects her family &
orphaned children from Nazis.
Amazon
Your Words Your Love
A dazzling explosion
of beauty for your soul.
books2read
Bentley's Fantabulous Idea
Embark on a whimsical colorful
journey filled with fun
MikiTaylor
THE S.O.U.R.C.E.
Marine Animals, Kids
Miracle Escape, Powerful Messa
Amazon
CATNIP
Cosy mystery with catnapping,
murder and a dash of romance.
Amazon
Anna and the Adders
A rhyming counting book
to get little ones learning
Amazon
Harmony Dances On
Helping children navigate the
journey through grief
Amazon
Rainbow Cat and Mouse
How a hungry cat and a feisty
mouse become best friends
Amazon
An Enemy Like Me
A story not only of war but of
love & what we will do for it.
Amazon
Hanna’s Ascent
A lyrical story of transgender
history and triumph
www.bedazzledink.com
Churchill’s Secret Army
WW2 courage and sacrifice
in the undercover SOE
www.cloudshillpress.com
Popina & Slumberina
Join in a Magical Journey of
Growth and Self Discovery
Amazon
LADY REAPER
Disorderly ghosts. Dejected
fays. Dreadful elves.
books2read.com
The Campbell Sisters
3 sisters work towards very
different goals in 1955 NYC
Amazon
MORATURI LOST
Ship lost in Andromeda:
The vet is now Captain!
Amazon
DANCE STANCE
"Highly recommended! A truly
excellent book" Wishing Shelf
bookshop.org
Escape From Peconic Bay
A fast-paced, historical novel
set during the run up to WW2
books2read
What Is the Shape of My Egg?
Introducing children to shape.
"An excellent STEM resource!"
Amazon
The Boy and the Jaguar
A magical Mayan tale
for middle-grade readers.
Amazon
ARNI'S ADVENTURES
8 charming, silly, comic
stories to laugh at & enjoy.
Amazon
RED CHAIR PRESS
Titles in Dyslexic and
/or Large Print editions
ReadHowYouWant
Into The Shadows
Journey from naïve university
student to a great spy.
marinemoments.uk
False Neutral
A story of choices made & not
made, & the collision of paths
Amazon
A Tree in Time
A fabilious journey into
the distant past.
gentlpresspublishing.co.uk
Finding Karen Black
The heartwarming mother-
daughter reunion story
Amazon
2024... Your Year of More
is a meaningful self-help
book for wise readers.
Amazon
Look 'N Up Invasion
Celebrate diversity by
imagining a world without it.
looknup.us
SeaMouse Builds a Boat
Mouse must find EVERYTHING he
needs to BUILD his boat.
Amazon
TOUCH
Gritty coming-of-age
fiction with a purpose
Amazon
Day & Night
A behind the scenes tour
and evening immersion!
Amazon
Literary Historical Fiction
Karma and horses drive one
family through 2500 Years.
Amazon
MUMMY TRUMPS
A rhyming flatulent book that
is fun for all of the family.
Amazon
The One Week Writing Workshop
7 Days to Spark, Boost
or Revive Your Novel
Karin Adams
I’m Going to Have a Sister
For new siblings teaching
patience & understanding
thegreatbritishbookshop
The Tree of Life
Come with Lord Robert %
seek out an unknown 5th gospel
Amazon
The Antunite Chronicles
An allegory for our time,
a thrillogy for all ages.
Amazon
THE GRAVITY OF LIES
WHAT IF YOUR WHOLE LIFE
WAS BASED ON LIES?
Amazon
Forever Boy
Isaac comes to realize his new
friend harbors dark secrets.
books2read
A Bloody Hot Summer
Bloody murders occur in 1920s
England during a heatwave
Amazon
Love in the Cupboard
A sweet, clean Catholic Priest
seeks a wife rom-com
Amazon
HENRY
Inspiring WWII Nonfiction
survival account
Amazon
Writing in a Nutshell
Writing Workshops to
Improve Your Craft
Amazon
Tatiana and the Russian Wolves
A Russian émigré reconciles
tragic family secrets
www.stephenevansjordan.com
A Rage To Live
A true boys' coming of age
story set during the Holocaust
Amazon
The Pivotal Pastor
A pastor and famous
architect transform a parish
Amazon
Just Janey's Way
Janey wants EVERYTHING her way
Is Janey a STUBBORN BULLY?
Amazon
Portraits of a Pandemic
The story of how a microscopic
virus changed our lives.
Amazon
Nemesis Rising
"Survival comes with a cost
for Sam … his humanity."
Amazon
SONG FOR MY FATHER
"A gripping drama...a FINALIST
and highly recommended." TWSA
Amazon
The Last Spiritwalker
Blood, magic, myths &
a badass female lead
Amazon
“Hatch Chile Willie”
offers children a heartwarming
tale of friendship
Amazon
Publishing Questions?
Find easy to understand
answers, top tips & more.
oldmatemedia
Alphamind
Embark on a journey into the
depths of the human spirit!
Amazon
❜Twas the Day of Christmas
Join Marco, Pet Pom Dog
and Santa for the Holidays
Amazon
Captain Polo Saving the Planet
"Eco-adventure comics
for middle graders"
www.alanhesse.com
CHILDREN OF HORSESHOE HIDEOUT
A modern day Boxcar Children,
loved the world over
Amazon
Hanna’s Ascent
A lyrical story of transgender
history and triumph
www.bedazzledink.com
Ships in the Desert
Timely, illuminating, and wise
—Julian Hoffman
Amazon