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
THE MUTT FOR ME
Heartwarming memoir of
healing & second chances
by Don Hughes
Sammie and Pumpkin
An adopted dog learns
how to make new friends.
Amazon
Lead the Competition
Read 100 Livestreaming &
Digital Media Predictions.
Amazon
Losing Austin
A gripping drama for teens
full of suspense & mystery
Amazon
Glitching Souls
Award-winning, Mind-bending,
Technothriller
Amazon
THE PORTAL KEEPER
Enter a world of Fantastic
Creatures and Magic!
books2read
MUPPIT BOY - ALLERGIES OF EVIL
"Suspense-filled, humor-filled
adventure for 9 – 12s" TWSA
by Michael J. Bowler
Moonshine Mesa
Why are bees, crows &
humans dying at the Mesa?
Amazon
SECRET SKY
Everybody wishes they could
fly - until it happens
books2read.com
Publishing Questions?
Find easy to understand
answers, top tips & more.
oldmatemedia
WAYS TO BE EQUALLY HUMAN
A deep dive into being non-
binary,climate activism & love
by Leslie Tate
Then We'll Say Goodnight
How would you get your
unruly puppies back to bed?
Amazon
MINIMUM SAFE DISTANCE (2022)
NOT pro-US Sci-Fi
weltweite, profond, prisbelönt
by X. Ho Yen
The Source of The Wind
A powerful & tender women's
fiction novel with soul
by Ella Capek
SUKIE – QUEEN OF CATS
A warm rescue-cat picture book
about finding family.
by Jan Falconer
Burt: The Airport Cat
Heartwarming cat adventure
about friendship!
by Christine Henry
RIVER WITCH
A haunting, emotional tale
of magic and purpose.
Amazon
DRAGONDAH (9 - 12 year olds)
Solving ancient mysteries and
outwitting scheming villains!
Amazon
The Monster Bones of...
A time travel mystery about
an ancient skeleton for kids.
by Linda Maria Frank
OUT OF TIME
Love at 78? Life has a
time limit. Love doesn't.
M. Jacqueline Murray
RAVEN'S GRAVE Charlotte Stuart
Betrayal and death in
an Alaskan Tlingit village.
Amazon
The Book Witch
A thrilling, fast paced
fantasy book for MGs
Amazon
DEAR JAMES
I know it's been 20 years, but
I needed to tell you I'm sorry
Amazon
Sea Change by Nick Bamford
'A gay romance and adventure
on a yacht at sea'
nickbamford.com
Bentley's Fantabulous Idea
Embark on a whimsical colorful
journey filled with fun
MikiTaylor
1066 WHAT FATES IMPOSE
An epic struggle for
the English Crown
by G. K. Holloway
The Madigan Chronicles
Witchy - Spellbinding - Addict
Urban Fantasy
by Marieke Lexmond
REMEMBER THIS
Award-Winning
Spiritual Masterpiece
Truly life changing!
BOBBIN AND THE MAGIC THIEF
A broken rule. A stolen
friend. A faerie rescue.
books2read
Pure Ink Press
Quality partnership publisher
open for submissions
Pure Ink Press
Soul Release
An epic fantasy action
adventure in a world of magic.
Amazon
The Book of Jack
Candid and inspiring story of
coming to terms with suicide.
F. Scott Service
HABITAT MAN
Midlife crisis meets eco-
fiction in heartwarming romcom
Amazon
THE FOUNDLING
A foundling rises to
reclaim his stolen birthright
Amazon
CALM POND
TOP 10 BOOK - 9 short stories
for 5 - 9 year olds
Amazon
The Faces She Sees
A thrilling mind-freak of a
mystery - Kirkus Review
by Elizabeth Scozzari
Down to Earth
A practical guide to using
intuition for smarter living.
Amazon
THE GRAVITY OF LIES
WHAT IF YOUR WHOLE LIFE
WAS BASED ON LIES?
Amazon
Little Puppy's Great Adventure
Adorable story. Great for
both parents as well as kids.
Amazon
KIRKYARD MOON
Two women, One body.
A historical fantasy novel.
by Rhys Shaw
MEMOIR OF A MANGLED MIND
Three minds. One body.
And nobody is safe.
Amazon
CAME A GENTLE WHISPER
A bittersweet, richly
layered historical romance.
by Rebecca A. Cathey
The One Week Writing Workshop
7 Days to Spark, Boost
or Revive Your Novel
Karin Adams
Dance Along
A curious cat, a magical
mirror & a world of twirls
Amazon
The Book of Wisdom-ish
Adventure begins with
a book. And an A.
Amazon
A Good Day and Other...
A wide-ranging collection
of imaginative, funny stories.
Amazon
LOOK AWAY NO MORE
A story rich in history & love
at a Georgia college in 1970.
Amazon
The Pathology of Graphology
Two citizens of the lower
depths kill an aging DJ.
by David Milnes
“Hatch Chile Willie”
offers children a heartwarming
tale of friendship
Amazon
MEMOIR OF A MANGLED MIND
Steve's 2 other personalities
wreak havoc all around him
Amazon
THOSE DARN STRIPES
A genuine read opening the
doors on love, life, & meaning
Amazon
The Bride's Trunk
A gripping true story of
Anglo-German reconciliation
Amazon
Demons to Champions
A tale of neurodivergent
awakening and triumph.
Amazon
The Lonely Lighthouse Bogle
A quirky tale celebrating
the magic of friendship.
Amazon
The Beast Keepers
A young vet discovers a
world of mythical creatures
Amazon
NEW TRAILS
A queer portal fantasy of
magic, courage, and home
books2read
A QUEST FOR HIDDEN THINGS
A cozy, coming-of-age
fantasy adventure
by Karen Eisenbrey
Moonshine Mesa
Why are bees, crows &
humans dying at the Mesa?
Amazon
DREAMER OF DESTINY
Her dreams are calling to her.
Should she listen?
Barbara Pelham








































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































