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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Shadow Apprentice
Fast-paced MG steampunk
with an intrepid girl mechanic
by Linda Browne
The Boy and the Big White Rock
'...rewarding memoir of coming
of age in the 1960s.' KIRKUS
Barnes and Noble
WELCOME TO OPINE
Homo Sapiens 2.0: Will genetic
blessing be their undoing?
Amazon
Destiny Lives on Fairhaven St.
A father's true story to his
sons. Winner of 17 awards.
Amazon
Jemma and the Raven
A luminous adventure in
this epic YA fantasy debut
Amazon
SUKIE – QUEEN OF CATS
A warm rescue-cat picture book
about finding family.
by Jan Falconer
THE PORTAL KEEPER
Enter a world of Fantastic
Creatures and Magic!
books2read
The Beast Keepers
A young vet discovers a
world of mythical creatures
Amazon
The Gates of Dark Death
A gripping, faced-pace,
Tudor-period thriller
by Alan Reynolds
ONE FOOL'S GOLD
Is that nugget you seek gold,
or only fool's gold?
Amazon
NEW TRAILS
A queer portal fantasy of
magic, courage, and home
books2read
The Pathology of Graphology
Two citizens of the lower
depths kill an aging DJ.
by David Milnes
POLE TO POLE (Book 4)
A fast-paced MG graphic
novel on climate change
The Adventures of Captain Polo
Losing Austin
A gripping drama for teens
full of suspense & mystery
Amazon
The Cup of Christ Trilogy
Epic mystical thriller across
centuries! A must!!!
by Jack Holt
The Faraway Mountains
A memorable novel about
growing up under dictatorship
Amazon
Sprout's Surprise!
A humorous story with
a gentle ecofriendly message
Amazon
The Book Witch
A thrilling, fast paced
fantasy book for MGs
Amazon
Don't Look Too Tasty
Adventure: 9- to 12-year-olds:
twists & suspense!
by P G H Hannaford
Rider of the Wind
An exultant celebration
of the magic of music
Amazon
The Faces She Sees
A thrilling mind-freak of a
mystery - Kirkus Review
by Elizabeth Scozzari
The Halloween Candy MONSTER
Jimmy teaches the Halloween
candy monster a lesson
Amazon
SOUTH KOREA
Where old traditions and
modern change collide.
by John Gonzalez
The Bride's Trunk
A gripping true story of
Anglo-German reconciliation
Amazon
LOOK AWAY NO MORE
A story rich in history & love
at a Georgia college in 1970.
Amazon
Forever Boy
Isaac comes to realize his new
friend harbors dark secrets.
books2read
THE NIGHT SLAYER
Perfect for PERCY JACKSON fans
'Thrill-a-page, fantasy' TWSA
Amazon
The Pathology of Graphology
Two citizens of the lower
depths kill an aging DJ.
by David Milnes
Aunty Jane Knits Up A Storm
Knitting, Friendship, Loss &
Healing in a Children's Story
Amazon
Holy Hell
Diabolical Delights: Twisted
Tales of Faith and Fear
Memoir & creative non-fiction
Lucy Wants To go To School
Perfect for apprehensive
children starting school
Amazon
CHARCOAL BOY
Tudor London, boy, entangled
in politics, wins through
Amazon
Finn's Funny Feelings
Helping children to manage
emotions in a healthy way
Amazon
“Hatch Chile Willie”
offers children a heartwarming
tale of friendship
Amazon
The Other Side of Nowhere
A fast-paced page turner
southern gothic horror
by Jack Holt
Pippin's Country Adventure
A happy fun educational read
about an adventurous poodle.
Amazon
The Monster Bones of...
A time travel mystery about
an ancient skeleton for kids.
by Linda Maria Frank
DREAMER OF DESTINY
Her dreams are calling to her.
Should she listen?
Barbara Pelham
ARNI'S ADVENTURES
8 charming, silly, comic
stories to laugh at & enjoy.
Amazon
❜Twas the Day of Christmas
Join Marco, Pet Pom Dog
and Santa for the Holidays
Amazon
Alphamind
Embark on a journey into the
depths of the human spirit!
Amazon
ELLA'S WAR
Heart-stopping, spirit-lifting
award-winning historical novel
vineleavespress
RAVEN'S GRAVE Charlotte Stuart
Betrayal and death in
an Alaskan Tlingit village.
Amazon
Clifftop Farm in Wartime
A story of WW2
evacuated children
Amazon
The Source of The Wind
A powerful & tender women's
fiction novel with soul
by Ella Capek
WAYS TO BE EQUALLY HUMAN
A deep dive into being non-
binary,climate activism & love
by Leslie Tate
It Rains in February
A wife's memoir of love,
suicide, grief and loss
Amazon
BOBBIN AND THE MAGIC THIEF
A broken rule. A stolen
friend. A faerie rescue.
books2read
REVOLUTION
A contemporary
satirical novel
Amazon
Playing Soldier
A savagely haunting true
journey of self-discovery.
F. Scott Service
The Day After His Crucifixion
Jesus' women followers
finally tell their stories
by Merikay McLeod
THE SAD PRINCESS
Refinding joy with our
children is not a fairy tale
Amazon
One Year, One Night, 2nd Ed.
A beautiful story set in an
English village during WWII.
Amazon
The Boy from the Night Sky
Thrilling fantasy adventure
for all ages.
Amazon
THE CURIST
Abby Steel hunts an evil
killer. Can he be caught?
Amazon
Millie’s Magic
The little mouse
with a big heart.
Amazon
THE WAY OF WATER
Brilliant YA Fantasy with
Magic, Mystery & Romance
Amazon
1066 WHAT FATES IMPOSE
An epic struggle for
the English Crown
by G. K. Holloway
Burt: The Airport Cat
Heartwarming cat adventure
about friendship!
by Christine Henry



















































































































































































































































































































































































































































