
Finalists 2024
Below is a list of the 2024 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, 2025.
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.

Red Ribbon
Sweet Peas and Bees: Life at the Flower Farm
Author: Mary Murphy
Illustrator: Fiona Van Housen

Red Ribbon
Wanderer's Journey: A Refugee's Search for a Home in the Beautiful Game Author
Author: Vedran Dedic
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My Therapy Assistant
Self-Care Journal
& Mood Tracker
YouTube
The Boy and the Big White Rock
'...rewarding memoir of coming
of age in the 1960s.' KIRKUS
Barnes and Noble
FIGHT
Thought-provoking poems encou-
raging us to fight for justice
YouTube
Pure Ink Press
Quality partnership publisher
open for submissions
Pure Ink Press
LIKE NO OTHER - Cry.
Laugh.
Think.
www.fontreal.com
Finn's Funny Feelings
Helping children to manage
emotions in a healthy way
Amazon
The Broken Wife
A gripping tale of love,
loss, and BETRAYAL.
Amazon
Plea to a Frozen God
A desperate trio appeals
to the God of Death.
Amazon
REVOLUTION: A NOVEL
Comical misadventures in
modern Los Angeles
Amazon
Church of the Assassin
A brutal purge. A reason
to live. A reason to kill.
Amazon
The Antunite Chronicles
An allegory for our time,
a thrillogy for all ages.
Amazon
Tatiana and the Russian Wolves
A Russian émigré reconciles
tragic family secrets
www.stephenevansjordan.com
The Gift of Knowing You
Discover all of who you are &
the power of your story.
Amazon
Churchill’s Secret Army
WW2 courage and sacrifice
in the undercover SOE
www.cloudshillpress.com
Your Words Your Love
A dazzling explosion
of beauty for your soul.
books2read
The Stranger of Ul Darak BK 1
A new intriguing epic
high fantasy series
sceston.com
MORATURI LOST
Ship lost in Andromeda:
The vet is now Captain!
Amazon
Moonshine Mesa
Why are bees, crows &
humans dying at the Mesa?
Amazon
CALM POND
TOP 10 BOOK - 9 short stories
for 5 - 9 year olds
Amazon
The Shadow of the Volcano
A thrilling 'time travel'
adventure for 7 - 13 yr olds.
Amazon
Jack's 1st Birthday Adventure
Journey to Jingle Jangle:
A fun story with activities!
Amazon
Nemesis Rising
"Survival comes with a cost
for Sam … his humanity."
Amazon
Little Puppy's Great Adventure
Adorable story. Great for
both parents as well as kids.
Amazon
Just Janey's Way
Janey wants EVERYTHING her way
Is Janey a STUBBORN BULLY?
Amazon
HUNGRY TRAILS
‘A…culturally rich family
chronicle.’ Kirkus Review
Amazon
The Mystery of the Lost Avenge
Multilevel story/ghost/romance
forensics/WWII/espionage
Linda Maria Frank
The Accidental Boyfriend
Slightly steamy, fake dating,
celebrity young adult romcom
lorifreeland
BURT, THE AIRPORT CAT
Follow Burt, the black cat,
on a fun family adventure
Amazon
AMAZING WORLD BENEATH THE
WAVES Satisfy your curiosity
about oceans
www.barnettauthor.co.uk
Aunty Jane Knits Up A Storm
Loss & healing through friend-
ship knitting and community.
Amazon
Adventures of Negassi Brothers
Exciting children's adventure
into African history
Amazon
The Silence of Children
An accidental vigilante with
no superhero skills
Amazon
WHEN JESUS CALLS
A Story of Undeniable Faith.
TWSA 2023 FINALIST
marthagayle
LADY REAPER
Disorderly ghosts. Dejected
fays. Dreadful elves.
books2read.com
Children of the Realm
Girl finds mythical origins
in YA urban fantasy
Amazon
Popina & Slumberina
Join in a Magical Journey of
Growth and Self Discovery
Amazon
Ghoul of Sherwood
Robin Hood and his men solve
a grisly murder near a nunnery
Amazon
THE WAY OF WATER
Brilliant YA Fantasy with
Magic, Mystery & Romance
Amazon
TREACHERY!
A WW2 child
evacuee thriller
Amazon
The Fungus Among Us
Encourage children to explore
and connect to nature
Amazon
SONG FOR MY FATHER
"A gripping drama...a FINALIST
and highly recommended." TWSA
Amazon
A Misfortunate Misfit
Incredible true story of a
man saving his own life
Amazon
The Long Road to Namai
Adventures of a daughter of
Earth on a planet of psychics
Amazon
My Year at the Good Bean Café
Weird and inexplicable events
and their effect on our lives
Amazon
THE GRAVITY OF LIES
WHAT IF YOUR WHOLE LIFE
WAS BASED ON LIES?
Amazon
Winds of Discontent
Gun running, investigative
reporter and Yvonne
Amazon
Rainbow Cat and Mouse
How a hungry cat and a feisty
mouse become best friends
Amazon
Wild Atlantic Way Anthology
Characters along Ireland’s
Majestic Coast
Amazon
SOUTH KOREA
A nuanced & engaging analysis
of Korea's rise to prominence.
Amazon
The Lost Heir Book 1 and 2
Mash Princess Bride
+ dash of GOT
Amazon
Sara My Sara
A moving tale of friendship,
loss, and the gifts of grief.
Amazon
Butterfly with a Broken Wing
Children's mental health story
It's ok NOT to be ok
Amazon
I’m Going to Have a Sister
For new siblings teaching
patience & understanding
thegreatbritishbookshop
Me Here Without You Now
A love story AFTER
the love story
Amazon/Apple
Thar She Blows
Brian got swallowed by
a whale. Mom’ll be mad.
www.books2read.com
THE PEBBLE CHAMPION
A stirring tale
of sadness and self-discovery.
Amazon
CHARLES DARWIN...
An entertaining learning
resource for curious kids.
www.alanhesse.com
INTO THE BLAZE
A new trilogy where fantasy,
myth, and reality entwine
Amazon
RAIN FALLING ON EMBERS
A grieving, fish out of water
teen struggles to survive.
KatieMcCabeSeries.com