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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The Last Spiritwalker
Blood, magic, myths &
a badass female lead
Amazon
The Nephilem
A Sun-soaked setting
with a difference.
www.exquil.com
The Silence of Children
An accidental vigilante with
no superhero skills
Amazon
Chains of Prophecy
A man finds he is the chosen
sorcerer of Heaven.
Amazon
Comfort in the Wings
An inspiring, heartfelt
journey of joy after loss
Amazon
FIGHT
Thought-provoking poems encou-
raging us to fight for justice
YouTube
THE SELFISH SHELLFISH & THE
SICK SEA an environmental gem
for the age. GET A COPY AT:
theprolificword.com
PLAYING SOLDIER
An unflinching tale of
nourishing self-acceptance.
Amazon
Dislodged
“An LGBTQ+ thriller and a
tale for the working class…â€
Amazon
A HARD SILENCE
Grief, love, and learning to
speak the unspeakable
www.vineleavespress.com
PARIS BLUE, first love memoir
Classical music and first love
in the magical city of Paris
www.mybook.to
Arctic Dinosaurs
Her first Arctic year -
middle grade - free activities
Fathom Publishing
Azoria's Blade
They attacked her homeland.
Now, Azoria seeks her revenge.
Amazon
Anna and the Adders
A rhyming counting book
to get little ones learning
Amazon
Sibby's Secret
Heart-stopping adventure
for our detective Buccaneers
Amazon
THE DARKWOLF SAGA (YA)
Embark on a harrowing journey
into fantasy and adventure.
Amazon
Puppy Pals and Puppy Tales
Letters from the family
dog’s point of view, 5-9 yrs.
Amazon
Thar She Blows
Brian got swallowed by
a whale. Mom’ll be mad.
www.books2read.com
Your Perfect Freelancer HERE!
Illustrators, Writers, Blurbs,
Editors, Layout Designs
Metaworx
Monologues for Teens II
Clean, family-friendly new
scenes for teen actors.
Amazon
BELIEVING IN HORSES
Ride away with the
Believing in Horses books!
Amazon
SKY ICE
Demon hunters. Slow-burn
romance. Hidden world.
Amazon
Be Happy to Be You, Diane Hull
Baby bird must find a way of
being happy with who he is
Amazon
Sneaky Snobby by Jennifer Kvam
LOOK OUT! Making trouble is
Sneaky Snobby´s hobby!
Amazon
What Is the Shape of My Egg?
Introducing children to shape.
"An excellent STEM resource!"
Amazon
THE BOOK
Earth will be fine, humanity
is on track for annihilation!
Amazon
Pebbles and the Biggest Number
A butterfly’s quest to
find the largest number
Amazon
RAIN FALLING ON EMBERS
A grieving, fish out of water
teen struggles to survive.
KatieMcCabeSeries.com
Moving Men by Karene Horst
A modern novel, relationships
% the scars they leave behind
Flying Trees Publishing
MUMMY TRUMPS
A rhyming flatulent book that
is fun for all of the family.
Amazon
THE REPROBATES
Do you remember suffering
from a death of the soul?
www.benjamingrose.co.uk
TOUCH
Gritty coming-of-age
fiction with a purpose
Amazon
Finding Karen Black
The heartwarming mother-
daughter reunion story
Amazon
Look 'N Up Invasion
A clever mix of fantasy,
family drama & cultural debate
Goodreads
UNTANGLING YOU
Take control of how u respond
to difficult relationships
www.kerryhowells.com/books
CALM POND
TOP 10 BOOK - 9 short stories
for 5 - 9 year olds
Amazon
Misty Black Media, LLC
Get your picture book designed
& formatted by a professional
www.mistyblackauthor.com
HUNGRY TRAILS
‘A…culturally rich family
chronicle.’ Kirkus Review
Amazon
Harvey's Hutch
A man, nearly seventy,
looks back on his life.
Amazon
SECRET SKY
Everybody wishes they could
fly - until it happens
books2read.com
Planet Asperger
Around the Syndrome
in 88 Questions
books2read.com
The Puppet Maker's Daughter
Marika protects her family &
orphaned children from Nazis.
Amazon
The Stress Book
STRESS MANAGEMENT & PREVENTION
BOOK, WINNER OF 40+ AWARDS
Amazon
EVERKNIGHT
A Heroic Journey of
Uncompromising Honor
Amazon
An Enemy Like Me
A story not only of war but of
love & what we will do for it.
Amazon
Dinosaur Symphony
A Guide to Dinosaurs
and Classical Music
Amazon
Soar: A Soul's Quest
A young eagle on a quest of
self-discovery & enlightenment
Amazon
A Cauldron of Uncanny Dreams
13 creepy award-winning
stories for a cold, dark night
Amazon
Jemma and the Raven
A luminous adventure in
this epic YA fantasy debut
Amazon
THE LIGHTNESS OF WATER
"A refined fantasy adventure”
- Silver Medal, TWSA
books2read.com
Then We'll Say Goodnight
How would you get your
unruly puppies back to bed?
Amazon
“Later,†Said Gator
Encourage kids to clean up
in a positive, fun way!
Amazon
Epistolary
Mandy writes about her
life until tragedy strikes.
Amazon
Isobel Kent: Editor
Are you ready to take
your book to school?
IsobelKentProofreader.co.uk
Ghoul of Sherwood
Robin Hood and his men solve
a grisly murder near a nunnery
Amazon
Marvelous Mood-Mending Meadow
Picture Book About Gratitude &
Dealing with Kids Emotions
Amazon
Literary Historical Fiction
Karma and horses drive one
family through 2500 Years.
Amazon
Moonshine Mesa
Why are bees, crows &
humans dying at the Mesa?
Amazon
The Open Book
A family memoir of adventure,
trauma, & resilience
Amazon