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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The Faces She Sees
A thrilling mind-freak of a
mystery - Kirkus Review
by Elizabeth Scozzari
The Other Lotus Girl
He was buying tea.
She was running for her life.
danielariddle.com
WELCOME TO OPINE
Homo Sapiens 2.0: Will genetic
blessing be their undoing?
Amazon
The Halloween Candy MONSTER
Jimmy teaches the Halloween
candy monster a lesson
Amazon
Tales Beyond Midnight
Dark, twisty and gripping.
You'll never stop at one.
by Kim Gravell
THE DARKWOLF SAGA (YA)
Embark on a harrowing journey
into fantasy and adventure.
Amazon
Sea Change by Nick Bamford
'A gay romance and adventure
on a yacht at sea'
nickbamford.com
101 Ways to Wow! Our World
Insights, ideas, & actions
to WOW your life now!
Amazon
SOUL WALK
Unexpected Gifts of Grief and
Connection to Those in Spirit
Amazon
MaryLou
"An engaging, well-crafted
family drama" TWSA
Amazon
POLE TO POLE (Book 4)
A fast-paced MG graphic
novel on climate change
The Adventures of Captain Polo
Lead the Competition
Read 100 Livestreaming &
Digital Media Predictions.
Amazon
MEMOIR OF A MANGLED MIND
Three minds. One body.
And nobody is safe.
Amazon
Then We'll Say Goodnight
How would you get your
unruly puppies back to bed?
Amazon
Your Words Your Love
A dazzling explosion
of beauty for your soul.
books2read
THE MERMELF
Mystery girl. Mermelves arrive
Dystopian rebellion begins
Amazon
Hecatomb of the Vampire
5 horror tales link in book 1
of The Dark Rituals Saga
Amazon
FIELDS OF PROSPERIS
"Bingeable space opera, best
complex villains"-ARK Watson
Amazon
The Collective Consciousness
Embark on a journey into the
depths of the human spirit!
Amazon
THE NIGHT SLAYER
Perfect for PERCY JACKSON fans
'Thrill-a-page, fantasy' TWSA
Amazon
CALM POND
TOP 10 BOOK - 9 short stories
for 5 - 9 year olds
Amazon
HABITAT MAN
Midlife crisis meets eco-
fiction in heartwarming romcom
Amazon
ANGELS
A YA LGBTQ+ emotional
rollercoaster.
'Perfect. 5 stars.'
Publishing Questions?
Find easy to understand
answers, top tips & more.
oldmatemedia
ULTIMATE OBSESSION
A cracking murder/mystery
packed with twists and turns.
Dai Henley
HENRY
Inspiring WWII Nonfiction
survival account
Amazon
OUT OF TIME
Love at 78? Life has a
time limit. Love doesn't.
M. Jacqueline Murray
A Rage To Live
A true boys' coming of age
story set during the Holocaust
Amazon
THE TIFFIN
Lost tiffin. Note gone astray.
A boy's search for family.
Amazon
The Third Estate
WHEN THE TRUTH SURFACES
AND THE LIES are REVEALED
Amazon
NEW TRAILS
One step changed his world.
One man changed his heart.
Amazon
Rider of the Wind
An exultant celebration
of the magic of music
Amazon
RIVER WITCH
A haunting, emotional tale
of magic and purpose.
Amazon
The Pathology of Graphology
Two citizens of the lower
depths kill an aging DJ.
by David Milnes
Clifftop Farm in Wartime
A story of WW2
evacuated children
Amazon
It Rains in February
A wife's memoir of love,
suicide, grief and loss
Amazon
THE FISH TANK - short stories
NARRATIVES ABOUT LIFE, EXILE,
GHOSTS…AND MURDER.
books2read
Around the Globe
The Adventures of Squishy
and Boo, Book 3
Amazon
GOING UNDER THE RADAR
Honest, insightful, battling
autism/mental health - TWSA
Amazon
Millie’s Magic
The little mouse
with a big heart.
Amazon
THE SOCIETY
Elizabeth Grant Thriller-woman
embroiled in a conspiracy
Amazon
NEW TRAILS
A queer portal fantasy of
magic, courage, and home
books2read
From Patriarchy to Paradise
The script is flipped:
Women steer back to garden.
expandjoy
No Free Speech for Hate
Provocative, chilling, topical
and razor-sharp dystopia
by Stephen Ford
THE COIN
CAN FINDING A COIN
GET YOU KILLED?
books2read
S.O.S. by Sue C Dugan
An exciting, time-travel
adventure for middle graders
Amazon
DAUGHTER OF SPIES
Wartime Secrets, Family Lies
A FINALIST in TWSA
Amazon
Confidently Mindful
Answers to your most asked
mindfulness questions.
Amazon
From The Back of a Donkey
Fresh captivating look at the
Christmas Story told by Mary
by Nancy Elaine Hartman Minor
THE PHILOSOPHER & THE ASSASSIN
campus novel, moral
philosophy, and murder mystery
Amazon
Smurgle The Windy Dragon
By Jane Clack, ill. by Lucy
Nicholson. A FUN PICTURE BOOK!
Amazon
MERCY'S VIEW: BLACKOUT
Memoir - A runaway's reckless
re-entry into society
Amazon
Adventures of Beryl and Carol
Award winning, clean teen
adventure for all ages.
berylandcarol
DRAGONDAH
The Secret Legacy
of Ottillee Bottomly
Amazon
Lead the Competition
Read 100 Livestreaming &
Digital Media Predictions.
Amazon
The Lonely Lighthouse Bogle
A quirky tale celebrating
the magic of friendship.
Amazon
GOING UNDER THE RADAR
Honest, insightful, battling
autism/mental health - TWSA
Amazon
Story and Structure
A book on story: 'beats Joseph
Campbell at his own game.'
Amazon
Glitching Souls - Steve Kenney
Neil can read minds...
He can't turn them off.
Amazon



















































































































































































































































































































































































































































