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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.
Sponsored Ads
The Accidental Boyfriend
Slightly steamy, fake dating,
celebrity young adult romcom
lorifreeland
S.O.S. by Sue C Dugan
An exciting, time-travel
adventure for middle graders
Amazon
MEMOIR OF A MANGLED MIND
Steve's 2 other personalities
wreak havoc all around him
Amazon
For Evil Done & Evil Suffered
Gripping murder mystery; tease
the brain & stir the senses.
Amazon
Hieroglyph
A fantastical mix of history &
fantasy. GOLD medal winner!
Amazon
When Secrets Come to Light
A novel of love, mystery
friendships, and murder
www.georgerhopkins.com
THE BOOK
Earth will be fine, humanity
is on track for annihilation!
Amazon
Moonshine Mesa
Why are bees, crows &
humans dying at the Mesa?
Amazon
Irish Famine Novel
My novel Hungry Trails
celebrates family resilience
Amazon
There's a Duck in the House
TWSA FINALIST 2023
Large Format with Large Text
Amazon
THE SELFISH SHELLFISH & THE
SICK SEA an environmental gem
for the age. GET A COPY AT:
theprolificword.com
Literary Historical Fiction
Karma and horses drive one
family through 2500 Years.
Amazon
The Last Professional
A hobo, a wanderer, a madman-
their lives are on the line!
www.eddavisbooks.com
Guiding Kids Through Anger
Parenting chaos
meets humor therapy
Amazon
A Lady Newspaperman's Dilemma
Alex’s goal: succeed in a 1926
male world of news reporting
Amazon
“Hatch Chile Willie”
offers children a heartwarming
tale of friendship
Amazon
JOYFUL LIFE PRESS
Books and workbooks that
entertain, support and inspire
www.joyfullifepress.com
I FEEL YOUR STARE
An Autobiography by Cheryl
Gillespie - Book Award Winner!
Amazon
The Lost Heir Book 1 and 2
Mash Princess Bride
+ dash of GOT
Amazon
Comfort in the Wings
An inspiring, heartfelt
journey of joy after loss
Amazon
Hanna’s Ascent
A lyrical story of transgender
history and triumph
www.bedazzledink.com
Aunty Jane Knits Up A Storm
Loss & healing through friend-
ship knitting and community.
Amazon
The One Week Writing Workshop
7 Days to Spark, Boost
or Revive Your Novel
Amazon
TWO LEFT WINGS - Safety Averse
4 kids - heart-warming / funny
friendship and self-growth
Amazon
I FEEL YOUR STARE
An Autobiography
BOOK AWARD WINNER!
Amazon
Around the Globe
The Adventures of Squishy
and Boo, Book 3
Amazon
THEY'RE ALL BARKING
Springer Spaniel's eye-opening
view of human behaviour
Amazon
The Shadow of the Volcano
A thrilling 'time travel'
adventure for 7 - 13 yr olds.
Amazon
The Last Lumenian
Most princesses need saving.
This one saves you.
Amazon
Winds of Discontent
Gun running, investigative
reporter and Yvonne
Amazon
Lead the Competition
Read 100 Livestreaming &
Digital Media Predictions.
Amazon
The Tree of Life
Come with Lord Robert %
seek out an unknown 5th gospel
Amazon
The Boy from the Night Sky
Thrilling fantasy adventure
for all ages.
Amazon
Rooted and Remembered
An orphaned boy wonders if
home is a place or a feeling.
Goodreads
The Puppet Maker's Daughter
Marika protects her family &
orphaned children from Nazis.
Amazon
CHILDREN OF HORSESHOE HIDEOUT
A modern day Boxcar Children,
loved the world over
Amazon
Thar She Blows
Brian got swallowed by
a whale. Mom’ll be mad.
www.books2read.com
False Neutral
A story of choices made & not
made, & the collision of paths
Amazon
Your Perfect Freelancer HERE!
Illustrators, Writers, Blurbs,
Editors, Layout Designs
Metaworx
IT'S OKAY NOT TO BE FABULOUS
A guide to finding self-love
and achieving your destiny💙
Amazon
Bentley's Fantabulous Idea
Embark on a whimsical colorful
journey filled with fun
MikiTaylor
GRAVE SECRETS-Cassandra Aston
The dark fantasy you've
been waiting for
Amazon
100% SUCCESS MINDSET
Achieve your goals and
improve personal development
Amazon
Sophia and Sinclair Get Lost!
A rabbit and a turtle get
lost in a hay maze!
Amazon
THE UNBROKEN
Love and adventure in
the strange worlds of mind.
Nigel Peace
Samurai's Gift Among Forest
A grieving child's journey
to healing her spirit.
books2read
The Gemini Connection
An intriguing thriller that
will keep you hooked.
Amazon
Glitching Souls - Steve Kenney
Neil can read minds...
He can't turn them off.
Amazon
The Shadow and the Scream
Stranger Things meets
Alice in Wonderland.
Amazon
The Secrets of Hawthorne House
An unlikely friendship, clash
of cultures, and hidden magic
Amazon
Anna and the Adders
A rhyming counting book
to get little ones learning
Amazon
A First Book of Microbiology
A fun learning journey
down the microscope lens.
Amazon
Little Puppy's Great Adventure
Adorable story. Great for
both parents as well as kids.
Amazon
Fenix and the Firework Fliers
Can Fenix save the Fireworks
when a firefly gets sick?
creativemovementstories.com
A Tree in Time
A fabilious journey into
the distant past.
gentlpresspublishing.co.uk
A HARD SILENCE
Grief, love, and learning to
speak the unspeakable
www.vineleavespress.com
When Secrets Come to Light
A novel of love, mystery
friendships, and murder
www.georgerhopkins.com
Crossing Borders
American memoir on prospects
for peace in Palestine/Israel
christabruhn.com
Popina & Slumberina
Join in a Magical Journey of
Growth and Self Discovery
Amazon