
Finalists 2022
Below is a list of the 2022 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, 2023.
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:

Benny the Brave in The First Day Jitters
Author: Julie Anne Penn and Darren Penn
Illustrator: Sergio De Giorgi

The Dragon and the Unicorn: The Magic of Friendship,
Author: Charly Froh
Illustrator: Zuzana Svobodova

Novo, The Space Robot, How to Solve the Mystery of Crying
Author: Charly Froh
Illustrator: Zuzanna Svobodova

Super Kena - A Girl Made Fierce with Hearing Aids
Author: Becky Cymbaluk
Illustrator: Zuzana Svobodova
A Red Ribbon is awarded to a book that did NOT get over 25/35 to be a finalist, but was still very much enjoyed by the readers.
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Just Janey's Way
Janey wants EVERYTHING her way
Is Janey a STUBBORN BULLY?
Amazon
DANCE STANCE
"Highly recommended! A truly
excellent book" Wishing Shelf
bookshop.org
I’m Going to Have a Sister
For new siblings teaching
patience & understanding
thegreatbritishbookshop
What Death Taught Terrence
A man reviews life from the
beyond. What will he learn?
Amazon
Winds of Discontent
Gun running, investigative
reporter and Yvonne
Amazon
CLOUDY WITH CHANCE OF ANSWERS
"Crazy family. Endless cold
case. Then there's a clue!"
Amazon
The Gift of Knowing You
Discover all of who you are &
the power of your story.
Amazon
What You Cannot See
A woman trying to navigate
and understand her life
Amazon
Glitching Souls - Steve Kenney
Neil can read minds...
He can't turn them off.
Amazon
Adventures of Beryl and Carol
Award winning, clean teen
adventure for all ages.
berylandcarol
THE DARK PLACES NOVELS
Paranormal thrillers to
get your pulse racing
kimgravell.com
WHINGEY WILLIAMS Term 1
Follow Whingey on her FIRST
adventure on Gower
Amazon
Fenix and the Firework Fliers
Can Fenix save the Fireworks
when a firefly gets sick?
creativemovementstories.com
Selfish Shellfish & Sick Sea
An environmental gem for the
age. Get your copy at:
theprolificword.com
Battle for Eklatros
Can Ànifa’s party save
Eklatros from the invasion?
Amazon
SKY ICE
Demon hunters. Slow-burn
romance. Hidden world.
Amazon
Crossing Borders
American memoir on prospects
for peace in Palestine/Israel
christabruhn.com
A Lady Newspaperman's Dilemma
Alex’s goal: succeed in a 1926
male world of news reporting
Amazon
I FEEL YOUR STARE
An Autobiography
BOOK AWARD WINNER!
Amazon
Tales of Witches and Wyverns
Join Enid’s quest to save
friends from a fae queen
Amazon
Into The Shadows
Journey from naïve university
student to a great spy.
marinemoments.uk
Moonshine Mesa
Why are bees, crows &
humans dying at the Mesa?
Amazon
Digging Deep by Dexter Hutt
She can cope with murder -
but what about betrayal?
Amazon
Tatiana and the Russian Wolves
A Russian émigré reconciles
tragic family secrets
www.stephenevansjordan.com
❜Twas the Day of Christmas
Join Marco, Pet Pom Dog
and Santa for the Holidays
Amazon
Children of the Realm
Girl finds mythical origins
in YA urban fantasy
Amazon
Pebbles and the Biggest Number
A butterfly’s quest to
find the largest number
Amazon
In the Shadows of Castles
A story of love, hope and
survival in a time of war.
Amazon
The Last Lumenian
Most princesses need saving.
This one saves you.
Amazon
Hieroglyph
A fantastical mix of history &
fantasy. GOLD medal winner!
Amazon
Sammie and Pumpkin
An adopted dog learns
how to make new friends.
Amazon
Destiny Lives on Fairhaven St.
A father's true story to his
sons. Winner of 17 awards.
Amazon
The Shadow of the Volcano
A thrilling 'time travel'
adventure for 7 - 13 yr olds.
Amazon
Your Words Your Love
A dazzling explosion
of beauty for your soul.
books2read
The Princess and the Spy
A witty and heartfelt
YA fantasy mystery
Amazon
Day & Night
A behind the scenes tour
and evening immersion!
Amazon
The Great Billy Butlin Race
First and only footrace from
John O’Groats to Land’s End
Stairwellbooks
Ruby the Emotional Stingray
Handling emotions for kids.
BEDTIME STORY
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
The Lost Heir Book 1 and 2
Mash Princess Bride
+ dash of GOT
Amazon
The Beast Keepers
A young vet discovers a
world of mythical creatures
Amazon
SEA CHANGE
Gay romance and adventure
on a yacht at sea
Nick Bamford
BEHIND THE PICKLE JAR
A fun, relatable,
emotionally powerful read!
Amazon
THE IMPROBABLE WONDERS OF
MOOJIE LITTLEMAN "Visionary,
magical, rich" -MC WEEKLY
Amazon
The One Week Writing Workshop
7 Days to Spark, Boost
or Revive Your Novel
Amazon
Sea Change by Nick Bamford
'A gay romance and adventure
on a yacht at sea'
nickbamford.com
Chains of Prophecy
A man finds he is the chosen
sorcerer of Heaven.
Amazon
The Great Migration
Survive valley. Stop outbreak.
Or watch the kingdom burn.
Amazon
DRAGONDAH (9 - 12 year olds)
Solving ancient mysteries and
outwitting scheming villains!
Amazon
Tuskie’s Travels
Tuskie teaches his crew to
dissolve upsets in 30 seconds!
www.thekidcode.ca
A Tree in Time
A fabilious journey into
the distant past.
gentlpresspublishing.co.uk
Soul Release
An epic fantasy action
adventure in a world of magic.
Amazon
Master of Music - Marla Himeda
Book 1 of a unique,
inspirational fantasy series!
Amazon
Epistolary
Mandy writes about her
life until tragedy strikes.
Amazon
Rainbow Cat and Mouse
How a hungry cat and a feisty
mouse become best friends
Amazon
Chronicles of MatiLou/PerryAnn
Through it all the girls work
to save Mother Earth.
Amazon
Children of the Knight
When the children rise,
will the city fall?
Amazon
Battle for Eklatros
Can Ànifa’s party save
Eklatros from the invasion?
Amazon