
Finalists 2023
Below is a list of the 2023 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, 2024.
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:
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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Alphamind
Embark on a journey into the
depths of the human spirit!
Amazon
Growing up Hadley
A story to shatter your heart
then mend it anew.
danawritesbooks
A Voice from Heaven
Astounding secrets of life,
death, love and spirituality
wingsofpeacepress.com
GRAVE SECRETS-Cassandra Aston
The dark fantasy you've
been waiting for
Amazon
S.O.S. by Sue C Dugan
An exciting, time-travel
adventure for middle graders
Amazon
THE MERMELF
Mystery girl. Mermelves arrive
Dystopian rebellion begins
Amazon
The Mystery of the Lost Avenge
Multilevel story/ghost/romance
forensics/WWII/espionage
Linda Maria Frank
Fit to Eat
Empower yourself to age
without chronic diseases.
Amazon
Wild Asses of Mojave Desert
“Funny & tender, moving &
poetic" Recommended US Review
books2read.com
In the Shadows of Castles
A story of love, hope and
survival in a time of war.
Amazon
In Other Words, Poetic Journey
Explore life through the eyes
of a tireless wanderer
Amazon
TOUCH
Gritty coming-of-age
fiction with a purpose
Amazon
When Secrets Come to Light
A novel of love, mystery
friendships, and murder
www.georgerhopkins.com
Out of the Darkness...
A memoir of animal
connections, love, and healing
books2read.com
LOOK AWAY NO MORE
A story rich in history & love
at a Georgia college in 1970.
Amazon
Esme and Griswald
A WITCH in search of a
POTION to save her PRINCE
Amazon
Little Puppy's Great Adventure
Adorable story. Great for
both parents as well as kids.
Amazon
HENRY
Inspiring WWII Nonfiction
survival account
Amazon
NUDGES FROM THE OTHER SIDE
Must-read for those who grieve
or curious about the afterlife
Amazon
Look 'N Up Invasion
Celebrate diversity by
imagining a world without it.
looknup.us
THE FOUNDLING
A foundling rises to
reclaim his stolen birthright
Amazon
THE DARK PLACES NOVELS
Paranormal thrillers to
get your pulse racing
kimgravell.com
CLEAR-CUTS
In 72 hours, a legend, a lore
& 2 brothers will all collide
Amazon
Bentley Makes a Dump Cake
A delightful, messy adventure
with joy, teamwork, & color
Miki Taylor
The Princess and the Spy
A witty and heartfelt
YA fantasy mystery
Amazon
Sam & Me & the Hard Pear Tree
A personal account of
a mother’s ultimate loss
Amazon
The Long Road to Namai
Adventures of a daughter of
Earth on a planet of psychics
Amazon
Tilda Finds Her Rainbow
Journey of kindness, courage,
friendship and forgiveness
nicolaalewis.com
Portraits of a Pandemic
The story of how a microscopic
virus changed our lives.
Amazon
Discovery of Elizabeth Sawyer
The ‘Witch of Edmonton’
overturns Jacobean London
www.jonathanvischer.com
A Portion of Malice
A thought-provoking thrill
ride into the apocalypse
Amazon
A Cauldron of Uncanny Dreams
13 creepy award-winning
stories for a cold, dark night
Amazon
Children Who Dance in the Rain
A children's book about
gratitude and self-discovery.
Amazon
Dinosaur Symphony
A Guide to Dinosaurs
and Classical Music
Amazon
Fenix and the Firework Fliers
Can Fenix save the Fireworks
when a firefly gets sick?
creativemovementstories.com
HEALER'S BLADE
Can a young woman change
the fate of England?
StoryOrigin
PARIS BLUE, first love memoir
Classical music and first love
in the magical city of Paris
www.mybook.to
The Beast Keepers
A young vet discovers a
world of mythical creatures
Amazon
I FEEL YOUR STARE
An Autobiography by Cheryl
Gillespie - Book Award Winner!
Amazon
Captain Polo Saving the Planet
"Eco-adventure comics
for middle graders"
www.alanhesse.com
DEAR JAMES
I know it's been 20 years, but
I needed to tell you I'm sorry
Amazon
DRAGONDAH (9 - 12 year olds)
Solving ancient mysteries and
outwitting scheming villains!
Amazon
Hecatomb of the Vampire
5 horror tales link in book 1
of The Dark Rituals Saga
Amazon
DRAGONDAH
The Secret Legacy
of Ottillee Bottomly
Amazon
WELCOME TO OPINE
Homo Sapiens 2.0: Will genetic
blessing be their undoing?
Amazon
Just Janey's Way
Janey wants EVERYTHING her way
Is Janey a STUBBORN BULLY?
Amazon
THE MAGIC OF KINDNESS
Join the adventure with
the cat witches here:
Amazon
SIN EATER
A girl with the power to
erase ANY bad memory!
Amazon
Alfie Slider vs Shape Shifter
It’s no ordinary key –
it breaks the laws of physics!
Amazon
Guiding Kids Through Anger
Parenting chaos
meets humor therapy
Amazon
Literary Historical Fiction
Karma and horses drive one
family through 2500 Years.
Amazon
A Novel about Life...and death
Will a mom's superhuman
efforts save her family?
Amazon/Apple
Smurgle The Windy Dragon
By Jane Clack, ill. by Lucy
Nicholson. A FUN PICTURE BOOK!
Amazon
LADY REAPER
Disorderly ghosts. Dejected
fays. Dreadful elves.
books2read.com
Tuskie’s Travels
Tuskie teaches his crew to
dissolve upsets in 30 seconds!
www.thekidcode.ca
Don't Look Too Tasty
Hungry aliens, missing
friends. Who can you trust?
Amazon
Sneaky Snobby by Jennifer Kvam
LOOK OUT! Making trouble is
Sneaky Snobby´s hobby!
Amazon
DAUGHTER OF SPIES
Wartime Secrets, Family Lies
A FINALIST in TWSA
Amazon
CLEAR-CUTS
In 72 hours, a legend, a lore
& 2 brothers will all collide
Amazon