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
'They're All Barking,' A Dog's Guide to Human Behaviour
Author: Professor Daniel Springer-Spaniel

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
Sponsored Ads
More Future Dreams/Nightmares
Award-winning SF short
stories of AIs and robots.
Donald Firesmith
Rider of the Wind
An exultant celebration
of the magic of music
Amazon
MERCY'S VIEW: BLACKOUT
Memoir - A runaway's reckless
re-entry into society
Amazon
The Faraway Mountains
A memorable novel about
growing up under dictatorship
Amazon
POLE TO POLE (Book 4)
A fast-paced MG graphic
novel on climate change
The Adventures of Captain Polo
Irish Famine Novel
My novel Hungry Trails
celebrates family resilience
Amazon
A First Book of Microbiology
A fun learning journey
down the microscope lens.
Amazon
Demons to Champions
A tale of neurodivergent
awakening and triumph.
Amazon
Arni's Adventures
Pet dinosaur, bear, cat story
for the young reader.
Ashok
THE PHILOSOPHER & THE ASSASSIN
campus novel, moral
philosophy, and murder mystery
Amazon
Rooted and Remembered
An orphaned boy wonders if
home is a place or a feeling.
Goodreads
Perfect Middle Grade Series
Montana and her friends
save the forest animals!
Amazon
Smurgle The Windy Dragon
By Jane Clack, ill. by Lucy
Nicholson. A FUN PICTURE BOOK!
Amazon
The Gemini Connection
An intriguing thriller that
will keep you hooked.
Amazon
TAILS
A magical story children will
love; and probably adults too.
by WJ Scott
Sea Change by Nick Bamford
'A gay romance and adventure
on a yacht at sea'
nickbamford.com
THE CURIST
Abby Steel hunts an evil
killer. Can he be caught?
Amazon
THE ART IN MY PALM
Queer coming-of-age tale
set in Cyprus & Australia.
by Luke Icarus Simon
Esme and Griswald
A WITCH in search of a
POTION to save her PRINCE
Amazon
The Source of The Wind
A powerful & tender women's
fiction novel with soul
by Ella Capek
Moonshine Mesa
Why are bees, crows &
humans dying at the Mesa?
Amazon
THE COIN
CAN FINDING A COIN
GET YOU KILLED?
books2read
Lines in the Sand
Edgy and isolating. A perfect
memoir of loss and endurance.
F. Scott Service
The Mystery of the Lost Avenge
Multilevel story/ghost/romance
forensics/WWII/espionage
Linda Maria Frank
Adventures of Beryl and Carol
Award winning, clean teen
adventure for all ages.
berylandcarol
ANGEL OF ASHES
Award-winning epic YA
fantasy adventure series!
Amazon
MILLIE'S RAINBOW
Beautiful picture book.
Kindness and rainbows.
by Hilary Hawkes
101 Ways to Wow! Our World
Insights, ideas, & actions
to encourage & empower
Amazon
The Book Witch
A thrilling, fast paced
fantasy book for MGs
Amazon
Finn's Funny Feelings
Helping children to manage
emotions in a healthy way
Amazon
DOWN TO EARTH
Master the art of combining
logic with intuition
Amazon
My Year at the Good Bean Cafe
A riveting tale of unlikely
and inexplicable events.
Amazon
AT RECEPTION
Will Sally fall for the charms
of a guest? ADULT FICTION
by Galahad Porter
Losing Austin
A gripping drama for teens
full of suspense & mystery
Amazon
The Monarchs
"A thought-provoking spiritual
quest" - Kirkus Reviews
Amazon
A Lion's Head
Myth brought to life.
A fantasy novel for YA.
by D.M. De Alwis
The Devil has Spoken
2020: The Devil has created a
virus that won't discriminate
Everand
WHERE DO BEARS SLEEP?
Bedtime for Animals & Children
Illustrated Songbook
by Chris Meade
It Rains in February
A wife's memoir of love,
suicide, grief and loss
Amazon
The Stranger of Ul Darak BK 1
A new intriguing epic
high fantasy series
sceston.com
THEY'RE ALL BARKING
Discover how your lifestyle
and emotions affect your dog
Amazon
THE SAD PRINCESS
Refinding joy with our
children is not a fairy tale
Amazon
MaryLou
"An engaging, well-crafted
family drama" TWSA
Amazon
Around the Globe
The Adventures of Squishy
and Boo, Book 3
Amazon
SEA CHANGE
Gay romance and adventure
on a yacht at sea
Nick Bamford
Bentley Makes a Dump Cake
A delightful, messy adventure
with joy, teamwork, & color
Miki Taylor
From The Back of a Donkey
Fresh captivating look at the
Christmas Story told by Mary
by Nancy Elaine Hartman Minor
THE WAY OF WATER
Brilliant YA Fantasy with
Magic, Mystery & Romance
Amazon
Hecatomb of the Vampire
5 horror tales link in book 1
of The Dark Rituals Saga
Amazon
ANGELS
A YA LGBTQ+ emotional
rollercoaster.
'Perfect. 5 stars.'
Marvelous Mood-Mending Meadow
Picture Book About Gratitude &
Dealing with Kids Emotions
Amazon
❜Twas the Day of Christmas
Join Marco, Pet Pom Dog
and Santa for the Holidays
Amazon
THE NIGHT SLAYER
Perfect for PERCY JACKSON fans
'Thrill-a-page, fantasy' TWSA
Amazon
THE JEWEL OF WENZLO
An epic conflict
between rodent kings
Amazon
TEMPEST'S SECRET
Adorable cosy mystery
with a kitten for 7-9 yr olds
Amazon
Around the Globe
The Adventures of Squishy
and Boo, Book 3
Amazon
A Lion's Head
Myth brought to life.
A fantasy novel for YA.
by D.M. De Alwis
Drop the Fake Smile
How to stop people-
pleasing in relationships
Amazon
A QUEST FOR HIDDEN THINGS
A cozy, coming-of-age
fantasy adventure
by Karen Eisenbrey








































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































