Finalists 2025

Below is a list of the 2025 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 1^st, 2026.

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
Adult/Children's Poetry
Short Story - Novelette

If you happen to be looking for a good read, the readers at The Wishing Shelf Awards thoroughly recommend the following:

Category 1: Pre-school picture books

5 Different Boo-Boos
Author: Maggie Keefe
Illustrator: Vaughan Duck

A Special Kind of Farm by Tricia Gardella

A Special Kind of Farm
Author: Tricia Gardella
Illustrator: Michele Katz

A TAIL OF TWIRLS, KITTINA AND THE STARLIGHT BALLERINA by Once Upon A Dance

A TAIL OF TWIRLS, KITTINA AND THE STARLIGHT BALLERINA
Author: Once Upon A Dance

Bert's Adventure in Bubbly Forest by Nicole Steyn

Bert's Adventure in Bubbly Forest
Author: Nicole Steyn
Illustrator: Amanda Letcher

Doris the Dragon
Author: Tom Morency
Illustrator: Mariia Stepanova

Gigglet The Happy Little Piglet Goes to School by A M Berkowitz

Gigglet The Happy Little Piglet Goes to School
Author: A M Berkowitz

Grandpa, Is That What You Do? by Ben McVicker

Grandpa, Is That What You Do?
Author: Ben McVicker

How the Platypus Became
Author: Jonny Parry

If I Were Invisible ...
Author: Lily Lawson
Illustrator: Gustyawan

Leland's Jungle-Safari Hayride by Ellarina Wragg

Leland's Jungle-Safari Hayride
Author: Ellarina Wragg

Monkey See, Monkey Do. Monkey Can Do It, Can You? by Harriet Cobb

Monkey See, Monkey Do. Monkey Can Do It, Can You?
Author: Harriet Cobb
Illustrator: Patrizia Donaera

Monsters Don't Say Meep by Bridgetta Tomarchio

Monsters Don't Say Meep
Author: Bridgetta Tomarchio
Illustrator: Lucian Merk

No Books for Benjamin!
Author: R.G. de Rouen
Illustrator: Uliana Barabash

Petrified Pete
Author: Kate Woodard
Illustrator: Sara Sanchez

Ready, Steady…
Author: Becky Edwards

Rocky the Okapi
Author: Corey Manny
Illustrator: Milena Stankovic

School Is Great at Silver Gate by Linda Rönn

School Is Great at Silver Gate
Author: Linda Rönn
Illustrator: Kajsa Hallström

The Dog in Shoes: The Quest For Pizza by Anngri Arts

The Dog in Shoes: The Quest For Pizza
Author: Anngri Arts

The Eyelash Wish
Author: Bethany Cooke
Illustrator: Sinem Kilic Rabito

The Hungry Little Gopher by Laura Carolfi

The Hungry Little Gopher
Author: Laura Carolfi
Illustrator: D E West

The Moose that Saved Christmas by Emily Lloyd-Gale

The Moose that Saved Christmas
Author: Emily Lloyd-Gale
Illustrator: Lorna Humphreys

The Tail That Told the Truth by Jory Perry

The Tail That Told the Truth
Author: Jory Perry

Category 2: Books for 6 - 8 year olds

All Through the Crown by Rachel Glowacki

All Through the Crown
Author: Rachel Glowacki
Illustrator: Ryan Nelsen

Anesa, No Škola Today by Anesa Kajtazovic

Anesa, No Škola Today
Author: Anesa Kajtazovic
Illustrator: Masha Somova

Bellyrina, A Tutu Tale from the Belly of the Beast by Once Upon a Dance

Bellyrina, A Tutu Tale from the Belly of the Beast
Author: Once Upon a Dance

Ben T. Finnigan's Awesome ADHD Superpowers by Mary Morrissey

Ben T. Finnigan's Awesome ADHD Superpowers
Author: Mary Morrissey
Illustrator: Jo Litchfield

Bentley Finds a Hippopotomonsterous by Miki Taylor

Bentley Finds a Hippopotomonsterous
Author: Miki Taylor
Illustrator: Eunhye Shin

Bob the Badger's Prickly Problem by Karen Noller

Bob the Badger's Prickly Problem
Author: Karen Noller

Catching Waves
Author: Dawn Marie Hooks

Crocodile Parade
Author: Amy Ajax

Ferdinand Fox Saves the Day by Karen Inglis

Ferdinand Fox Saves the Day
Author: Karen Inglis
Illustrator: Andrew Smith

Friendly's
Author: Olive Green
Illustrator: Dainius Sukys

Galactic Dog!
Author: Donna Vann
Illustrator: Joseph Wilkins

Going to Meet Dad by Kathleen Nord Heinz

Going to Meet Dad
Author: Kathleen Nord Heinz
Illustrator: Joan Gilbert

Grandma's Timeless Wisdom by Michael Wong

Grandma's Timeless Wisdom
Author: Michael Wong

Into the Thicket
Author: Gail Kuhnlein
Illustrator: John Megahan

Kip and the Best Gift
Author: D A Jennings
Illustrator: Dan Kane

Luna, The Little Witch, The Magic of Teamwork by Vassi Rombis

Luna, The Little Witch, The Magic of Teamwork
Author: Vassi Rombis

Martin Snell and his Worm Hotel by Susan Frazee

Martin Snell and his Worm Hotel
Author: Susan Frazee
Illustrator: Estelle Corke

Mr Online – The Screen-Obsessed Friend by Jamie McKeen

Mr Online – The Screen-Obsessed Friend
Author: Jamie McKeen
Illustrator: Luka Jovanovic

Nora's Adventures in Little Earth by Harris Rahman, Jamie Rahman

Nora's Adventures in Little Earth
Author: Harris Rahman, Jamie Rahman
Illustrator: Violet Fink

Nuts About Dinosaurs by Andrew Woolnough

Nuts About Dinosaurs
Author: Andrew Woolnough
Illustrator: Justin Runfola

Parp & Trump of Windy Bottom by Jane Clack

Parp & Trump of Windy Bottom
Author: Jane Clack
Illustrator: Paul Smith

Railings and Ramps by Adella Aakjar Haggerty

Railings and Ramps
Author: Adella Aakjar Haggerty
Illustrator: Caitlin Shaffer

Rascally Ravens of Greystone Farm by Patricia Petersen

Rascally Ravens of Greystone Farm
Author: Patricia Petersen
Illustrator: Sheli Petersen

Sally the Brave
Author: Brittany Petish

Sidney's Games
Author: LOLISA MARIE MONROE
Illustrator: PATRIZIA DONAERA

Sir DoGoody Button & Fleabins the Great . . . Troublemaker by K. Frances Carson

Sir DoGoody Button & Fleabins the Great . . . Troublemaker
Author: K. Frances Carson

Snoodles in Space: Escape from Zoodletraz by Steven Joseph

Snoodles in Space: Escape from Zoodletraz
Author: Steven Joseph
Illustrator: Andy Case

SUPERCOUSINS: The Frankenpops Rescue by Donna Vann

SUPERCOUSINS: The Frankenpops Rescue
Author: Donna Vann
Illustrator: Joseph Wilkins

The 3 Pigs vs. The Wolf by Tiffany Obeng

The 3 Pigs vs. The Wolf
Author: Tiffany Obeng
Illustrator: Surya Gunawan

The Adventures of Mrs. Crockess and Ivy: No Pockets? No Problem! by Julia Kolouch

The Adventures of Mrs. Crockess and Ivy: No Pockets? No Problem!
Author: Julia Kolouch
Illustrator: Petros Bouloubasis

The Banana from Space and Other Stories from Riverstone by Olga Podoprigora

The Banana from Space and Other Stories from Riverstone
Author: Olga Podoprigora

The Best Bunny
Author: Shenandoah Chefalo

The Grumpus Among Us by Sharon R. Miller

The Grumpus Among Us
Author: Sharon R. Miller
Illustrator: Ashleigh Heyns

The Sheep Magnet
Author: Bernice Seward

There's a Pigeon in St. Pancras by Ruth Amanda

There's a Pigeon in St. Pancras
Author: Ruth Amanda

Whatever You Do, Don't Laugh! by Ashelee Ridlon

Whatever You Do, Don't Laugh!
Author: Ashelee Ridlon
Illustrator: Manfred Calderon

Whiskers in the Wild
Author: Maggie Keefe
Illustrator: Vaughan Duck

You are SUPER, Penny! by Candace Laskowski

You are SUPER, Penny!
Author: Candace Laskowski
Illustrator: Audrey Suau

Category 3: Books for 9 - 12 year olds

A Boy's Best Comrade
Author: Lauren Ennis

A Pirates' Pact
Author: Sarah Branson

Armando and the Amazing Animal Race by Diana Schaffter

Armando and the Amazing Animal Race
Author: Diana Schaffter

B'sghetti
Author: Mark James

BEYOND THE ICE-WHITE MOON by Graham Holliday

BEYOND THE ICE-WHITE MOON
Author: Graham Holliday

Bigfoot Is a Jerk by J. Ditchburn Patton

Bigfoot Is a Jerk
Author: J. Ditchburn Patton

Bug in the Brain
Author: Aiden Woosol Lee

Buried Secrets of the Copper Locket by D L Bush

Buried Secrets of the Copper Locket
Author: D L Bush

Ellie Ment and the Material Matter by Bertie Stephens

Ellie Ment and the Material Matter
Author: Bertie Stephens

Fragrant Soup
Author: Reena Bhojwani

How I Hacked The Moon
Author: R. A. Dines

Kenny Cunningham Kid Detective: My Life Undercover by Christian Canning

Kenny Cunningham Kid Detective: My Life Undercover
Author: Christian Canning

Laleh and the Language of the Birds by Perin Gurel

Laleh and the Language of the Birds
Author: Perin Gurel

Liv Forever: Never Say Zombie by Diana Davis

Liv Forever: Never Say Zombie
Author: Diana Davis

Loon Cove Summer
Author: Donna Galanti

Mail-Order Monsters: Crash Course by Silvia Acevedo

Mail-Order Monsters: Crash Course
Author: Silvia Acevedo

Molly's New Treasure
Author: Carmen Allen

My Adventure with Alice by Heuishil Chang & Raffaella Ro

My Adventure with Alice
Author: Heuishil Chang & Raffaella Ro

Nicole Raven: A New Awakening by K. N. Grout

Nicole Raven: A New Awakening
Author: K. N. Grout

North of Tomboy
Author: Julie A. Swanson

RATS With Backpacks: Dr. Donna Kean and Her Work at APOPO by J N Courtney

RATS With Backpacks: Dr. Donna Kean and Her Work at APOPO
Author: J N Courtney

Tara of Trees Beyond
Author: Reya Velamoor

Tempest and the Brighton Treasure by Ariane Chapelle

Tempest and the Brighton Treasure
Author: Ariane Chapelle

THE FIVE LAMPS BOOK 1: THE JEWEL OF WENZLO by Sacha Margerius

THE FIVE LAMPS BOOK 1: THE JEWEL OF WENZLO
Author: Sacha Margerius

The Fluffmunches: Adventures in Castle Stumblestone by Marc Remus

The Fluffmunches: Adventures in Castle Stumblestone
Author: Marc Remus

The Ghost Orb
Author: Kate Machon

The Girl Who Sold Time
Author: V S Nelson

The Hidden Heirloom
Author: David Gorman

The Invisible Thread
Author: Sue Lamoree

THE NIGHT SLAYER
Author: George Jankovic

THE OASIS
Author: Lorisa D. Wiedenheft

Category 4: Books for Teenagers

180° - Big Picture, Small Details by Tudor Matei

180° - Big Picture, Small Details
Author: Tudor Matei

Against All Odds: A Memoir by Tristian Smith

Against All Odds: A Memoir
Author: Tristian Smith

Biology Made Simple
Author: Rion Iwano

Career Planning For Teens Made Simple, by Olive Redwood

Career Planning For Teens Made Simple,
Author: Olive Redwood

Dirt
Author: Laura Baggaley

Erased
Author: Anders Edwards

Foundling
Author: Alexander Whitehill

Ghost Brother
Author: Sylvia Sánchez Garza

Into the Churn
Author: Hayley Reese Chow

Iron Rose
Author: Abigail O'Bryan

Juice
Author: Peter Deadman

Lexie Diamond & The World's Greatest Virtual Romance by Victoria Foyt

Lexie Diamond & The World's Greatest Virtual Romance
Author: Victoria Foyt

Multiverse Mayhem
Author: Aurora M. Winter

Oswin the Unworthy
Author: Joel Dawn

Pink Granite
Author: Carran Waterfield

Predestined
Author: RACHEL BYRNE

Quest for the Queen's Pendant by Zoe Tasia

Quest for the Queen's Pendant
Author: Zoe Tasia

Ralph Ridley in the Hunt for Time by Hayden Perno

Ralph Ridley in the Hunt for Time
Author: Hayden Perno

Stonechild
Author: Kevin Albin

Taunting Gravity
Author: Jessica Kaye

The Dark Side of Food by Harleen and Andrew

The Dark Side of Food
Author: Harleen and Andrew

The Debilis Rising (Keepers of the Rock) by E. K. Wise

The Debilis Rising (Keepers of the Rock)
Author: E. K. Wise

The Foundling: Heir of Ash and Blood by Donald Firesmith

The Foundling: Heir of Ash and Blood
Author: Donald Firesmith

The Northern Witch Series by K.S. Marsden

The Northern Witch Series
Author: K.S. Marsden

The Princess and the Spy
Author: FG Laval

The Quest for Calinore (Book1) by Theresa Leyes

The Quest for Calinore (Book1)
Author: Theresa Leyes

The Rules
Author: Paul Orton

The Space Between Our Hearts by Hannah Stone

The Space Between Our Hearts
Author: Hannah Stone

The Weight of Water
Author: Dorothy Deene

Traitor's Heart (Enemy's Keeper Book 2) by Kyrie Wang

Traitor's Heart (Enemy's Keeper Book 2)
Author: Kyrie Wang

Unfurling the Sails
Author: Sarah Branson

Category 5: Books for adults (fiction)

A Penny a Shell, A WW1 Yorkshire War Story by Antony J Bell

A Penny a Shell, A WW1 Yorkshire War Story
Author: Antony J Bell

After Amba
Author: Stephanie Shields

After Happily Ever
Author: Jennifer Safrey

Annie's Day
Author: Apple Gidley

Bad Americans: Part 1
Author: Tejas Desai

Beautiful and Terrible Things by S.M. Stevens

Beautiful and Terrible Things
Author: S.M. Stevens

Blood of the Stars
Author: Karyne Norton

Chasing Headlines
Author: J. Rose Black

Cold Victory
Author: Helena P. Schrader

Crow Girl
Author: Kim Shaw

Deadly Gold Rush
Author: Landis Wade

ESCAPE FROM MELRIDION, REBALANCING THE COSMOS, BOOK 2 by ALEX GALASSI

ESCAPE FROM MELRIDION, REBALANCING THE COSMOS, BOOK 2
Author: ALEX GALASSI

Fields of Prosperis
Author: Claudia LeBoeuf

Finding Serenissima
Author: Apple Gidley

Forget or Forgive? NEVER! by Charlotte Stuart

Forget or Forgive? NEVER!
Author: Charlotte Stuart

Fox Creek
Author: M. E. Torrey

Garnet
Author: Jennifer Severn

Gone to Where
Author: Michelle J. Choi

Green Twining
Author: Andrew Cheffings

Hive (Madders of Time)
Author: D L Orton

Holiday Spirit Book 2: Destroy All Monsters by John DeGuire

Holiday Spirit Book 2: Destroy All Monsters
Author: John DeGuire

Homewrecked
Author: Ruby Soames

HOPE IS A THING THAT'S MOLTING by SUSAN EMSHWILLER

HOPE IS A THING THAT'S MOLTING
Author: SUSAN EMSHWILLER

Hunting The Sun: 1151 The Whale Road by Jean Gill

Hunting The Sun: 1151 The Whale Road
Author: Jean Gill

It's Hard to Tell You This by James Kinsley

It's Hard to Tell You This
Author: James Kinsley

Killer Deals at Mayview Mall by Steven Templar

Killer Deals at Mayview Mall
Author: Steven Templar

Lady of the Quay
Author: Amanda Roberts

Lilah's Limit
Author: Suzanne Smith

Mathey Girls
Author: Melody Chu

Missing or Dead
Author: Polina Quinn

Murder at the Writers Conference by Michelle Corbier

Murder at the Writers Conference
Author: Michelle Corbier

One More Chance
Author: Reno R. Mist

Passages of Peculiarity : A Collection of Dark Tales by Mark K. McClain

Passages of Peculiarity : A Collection of Dark Tales
Author: Mark K. McClain

Picasso's Hidden Legacy
Author: Beatrix Koch

Redemption Post Mortem
Author: Emil Buchman

RESCUE RUN
Author: John Winn Miller

Rose Dhu
Author: Mark Murphy

Short Stories from Faraway Places II by Kevin O'Flaherty

Short Stories from Faraway Places II
Author: Kevin O'Flaherty

Statures of No Limitations by Judith Fournie Helms

Statures of No Limitations
Author: Judith Fournie Helms

Stigma
Author: Mark P Haskins

Strait Lace
Author: Rosemary Hayward

SWALLOWING THE MUSKELLUNGE by Lawrence P. O'Brien

SWALLOWING THE MUSKELLUNGE
Author: Lawrence P. O'Brien

The AfterLife of Undead Ned: A Home Care Survival Guide by Valerie Doty

The AfterLife of Undead Ned: A Home Care Survival Guide
Author: Valerie Doty

The Amazon Anomaly
Author: Chris Cosmain

The Binding
Author: Gianaclis Caldwell

The Book of Seila
Author: Wilda Hughes

The Bourbon Bet
Author: D K Marie

The Breaking of Time: Chronicles of the Arvynth by J J Hebert

The Breaking of Time: Chronicles of the Arvynth
Author: J J Hebert

The Butterfly Witch
Author: E. L. Williams

The Case of the Hydegild Sacrifice by David Cairns of Finavon

The Case of the Hydegild Sacrifice
Author: David Cairns of Finavon

The Fool
Author: Laura J Fitzwilson

The Frost Court: Snow Queen's Curse by Layce S Fox

The Frost Court: Snow Queen's Curse
Author: Layce S Fox

The Game
Author: Eve M. Riley

The House of All Sorrows by Richard Gadz

The House of All Sorrows
Author: Richard Gadz

The Impoverished Orphan
Author: Kelly Miller

The Magician Killer by Diane Merrill Wigginton

The Magician Killer
Author: Diane Merrill Wigginton

The Melody of Evil
Author: N.L. Holmes

The Never Witch
Author: JP McLean

The Observer
Author: Brian Thompson

The Other Lotus Girl by Daniel A. Riddle

The Other Lotus Girl
Author: Daniel A. Riddle

The Quantum Revelations by Stuart Heinrich

The Quantum Revelations
Author: Stuart Heinrich

The Steal
Author: Ella Kane

The Unwritten Rule
Author: Anne Nikolaiken

The Valentine Lines
Author: T.K. Sheffield

The Witch Killer (The Man in Black) by Harper Carr

The Witch Killer (The Man in Black)
Author: Harper Carr

Then Came The Summer Snow by Trisha T. Pritikin

Then Came The Summer Snow
Author: Trisha T. Pritikin

Touch of the Whimsy by Jules Oliver Wilkinson

Touch of the Whimsy
Author: Jules Oliver Wilkinson

Truth in Blue
Author: Mirai Amell

Twisted Scarborough 5
Author: J.B. Forsyth

Ultimate Obsession
Author: Dai Henley

Universally Adored and Other One Dollar Stories by Elizabeth Bruce

Universally Adored and Other One Dollar Stories
Author: Elizabeth Bruce

Walking out of this World by Stephen Ford

Walking out of this World
Author: Stephen Ford

When Silence Shatters by Mahitab Mahmoud

When Silence Shatters
Author: Mahitab Mahmoud

Whispers of Change
Author: Derek Farmer

With His Words I'm Not Alone by Lucas Ryker

With His Words I'm Not Alone
Author: Lucas Ryker

Wrong Hand Right by William Michael Ried

Wrong Hand Right
Author: William Michael Ried

Category 6: Books for Adults (non-fiction)

101 Ways to Wow! Our World by Debbie Jenae

101 Ways to Wow! Our World
Author: Debbie Jenae

A Guy with Cancer Walks into a Bar by Sergio Jablon

A Guy with Cancer Walks into a Bar
Author: Sergio Jablon

Adventures of a Chess Girl by Katie Kormanik

Adventures of a Chess Girl
Author: Katie Kormanik

Against All Odds: A Memoir
Author: Tristian Smith

Animals DO Talk: What Animals Tell Me They Want You to Know by Carrie O'Neill

Animals DO Talk: What Animals Tell Me They Want You to Know
Author: Carrie O'Neill

Around the World in Eighty Photos by Jeremiah A. Gilbert

Around the World in Eighty Photos
Author: Jeremiah A. Gilbert

Artificial Death of a Career by Dr. Helmut Schuster, Dr. David Oxley

Artificial Death of a Career
Author: Dr. Helmut Schuster, Dr. David Oxley

Born From War by Patrick W. Naughton Jr,

Born From War
Author: Patrick W. Naughton Jr,

Bridge Between Two Worlds
Author: Serge Mac

Climb Greater Heights by Tony Jeton Selimi

Climb Greater Heights
Author: Tony Jeton Selimi

Connecting Threads
Author: E M Blake

Consciousness in a Nutshell by Jay Nelson & Lindy Nelson

Consciousness in a Nutshell
Author: Jay Nelson & Lindy Nelson

Cultivate: The Power of Winning Relationships by Morag Barrett

Cultivate: The Power of Winning Relationships
Author: Morag Barrett

Dr. Toad's Short Book for a Long Memory by Jeffrey Tolstad MD

Dr. Toad's Short Book for a Long Memory
Author: Jeffrey Tolstad MD

Encounter: A journey into chaos, culture and compassion by Ian Reilly

Encounter: A journey into chaos, culture and compassion
Author: Ian Reilly

Girl in FLIGHT
Author: Cat Buchanan

Happiness is a Superpower for My Children by Sonja Frey

Happiness is a Superpower for My Children
Author: Sonja Frey

Hello? Who Is This? Margaret?: Essays by Dani Alpert

Hello? Who Is This? Margaret?: Essays
Author: Dani Alpert

HIKE THE COURSE
Author: Barbara Ann Cochran

If I Could Remember
Author: Donna Costa

If They Won't Bend, Break Them! by Geoffrey Michael

If They Won't Bend, Break Them!
Author: Geoffrey Michael

Look UP Look IN Look OUT 3 Simple Steps to a Divinely Guided Life by Lisa Taylor

Look UP Look IN Look OUT 3 Simple Steps to a Divinely Guided Life
Author: Lisa Taylor

Memories Beyond Moscow
Author: Harald Lipman

More Manchester Than Mongolia by Jacqueline Lambert

More Manchester Than Mongolia
Author: Jacqueline Lambert

Moving Forward: The Widow's Journey by Arlene Sacks

Moving Forward: The Widow's Journey
Author: Arlene Sacks

Must: Becoming the Person You Are Meant to Be by Stephen Rue

Must: Becoming the Person You Are Meant to Be
Author: Stephen Rue

My Life in a Garden : Love, loss and mulch: a single dad seeks answers in nature by Carl Gorham

My Life in a Garden : Love, loss and mulch: a single dad seeks answers in nature
Author: Carl Gorham

No Way but Forward
Author: Brian K Barber

Obviously Intoxicated
Author: Anthony Avano

Parenting with the Moon
Author: Jen Jones

SOAP Notes
Author: Frannie O'Callaghan

Soul Walk
Author: Gina Kitzmiller

SPLIT ENDS
Author: Stamatina Daniilidis

The Book of Jack
Author: F. SCOTT SERVICE

The Clarity Forge: The Discipline of Staying Human by Royce Priem

The Clarity Forge: The Discipline of Staying Human
Author: Royce Priem

The Doctor's Future by Dr. Pietro Emanuele Garbelli

The Doctor's Future
Author: Dr. Pietro Emanuele Garbelli

The Emotional Intelligence and Resilience Handbook by Shirita Nash

The Emotional Intelligence and Resilience Handbook
Author: Shirita Nash

The Full Catastrophe: All I Ever Wanted, Everything I Feared by Casey Mulligan Walsh

The Full Catastrophe: All I Ever Wanted, Everything I Feared
Author: Casey Mulligan Walsh

The Hate Game: Screaming in the Silence by Gary Trew

The Hate Game: Screaming in the Silence
Author: Gary Trew

The Magician's Daughter, A Memoir by Katy Grabel

The Magician's Daughter, A Memoir
Author: Katy Grabel

The Mutt for Me
Author: Don Hughes

Thrive in Chaos
Author: Jace Parker

Triumphs of Tenacity
Author: Yusra Mariyam

UNLIKELY TO UNSTOPPABLE by Jennifer Collins, Elizabeth Clark

UNLIKELY TO UNSTOPPABLE
Author: Jennifer Collins, Elizabeth Clark

What If You're Right? by Dr. Emily Colwell

What If You're Right?
Author: Dr. Emily Colwell

What Lights You Up? by Mary Olson-Menzel

What Lights You Up?
Author: Mary Olson-Menzel

Where Are We Going And Are We Nearly There Yet? by Paul Hodson

Where Are We Going And Are We Nearly There Yet?
Author: Paul Hodson

Category 7: Audio Book - Children/Young Adult

A Flash of Fire: The Phoenix Rising Trilogy, Book 1 by A.L. Wyss

A Flash of Fire: The Phoenix Rising Trilogy, Book 1
Author: A.L. Wyss
Performed by: Erin Chmela

A Kindness Story for Kids! Rane's Rescue The SPRiTELEES - Book One by Marcia Stankard

A Kindness Story for Kids! Rane's Rescue The SPRiTELEES - Book One
Author: Marcia Stankard
Performed by: Kate Sample

A Wild Ride: The Adventures of Misty & Moxie Wyoming, Book 1 by Niki Danforth

A Wild Ride: The Adventures of Misty & Moxie Wyoming, Book 1
Author: Niki Danforth
Performed by: Erin Parker

Miss Pettigrew's Summer School for Exceptional Magical Children by P.N. Garlick

Miss Pettigrew's Summer School for Exceptional Magical Children
Author: P.N. Garlick
Performed by: Denice Stradling

OSU
Author: Sensei Sarhn
Performed by: Jane Harber

Predestined
Author: RACHEL BYRNE
Performed by: Madeline Smith

Stonechild
Author: Kevin Albin
Performed by: Tim Campbell

TAKHARI, Escape from Spaceport Alpha by Michael D. Frost

TAKHARI, Escape from Spaceport Alpha
Author: Michael D. Frost
Performed by: Jay Forrester

The Girl Who Sold Time
Author: V S Nelson
Performed by: Rosie Akerman

The Secret of the Magic eyePad: Putney Hicks Inventor Adventures, Book 1 by Marsha Tufft

The Secret of the Magic eyePad: Putney Hicks Inventor Adventures, Book 1
Author: Marsha Tufft
Performed by: JoAnn Sheridan

The Titanic Test
Author: Ann K. Simpson
Performed by: Lillian Field

Turning Toward Eden
Author: Cate Touryan,
Performed by: Leonor A Woodworth

Why, Oh Why, Can't Carrie Fly? by Rose Wyshharder

Why, Oh Why, Can't Carrie Fly?
Author: Rose Wyshharder
Performed by: Amy Weaver

Category 8: Audio Book - Adult

Birds of a Different Feather by J. Schlenker

Birds of a Different Feather
Author: J. Schlenker
Performed by: Sarah Seltz

Blood Mark: Dark Dreams, Book 1 by JP McLean

Blood Mark: Dark Dreams, Book 1
Author: JP McLean

Cobra Pose
Author: Susan Rogers, John Roosen
Performed by: Rupert Degas

GONE TO GROUND
Author: Morgan Hatch
Performed by: Christopher P. Brown

Goode Hunting: Inspector Goode Mysteries, Book 1 by P. N. Garlick

Goode Hunting: Inspector Goode Mysteries, Book 1
Author: P. N. Garlick
Performed by: Callum Hale

Habitat Man
Author: D.A. Baden
Performed by: Matt Coles

Love Virus
Author: Jacci Turner
Performed by: Willow Peterson

Susan: A Jane Austen Prequel by Alice McVeigh

Susan: A Jane Austen Prequel
Author: Alice McVeigh
Performed by: Heather Tracy

Thar She Blows
Author: Susan Emshwiller
Performed by: Gabrielle de Cuir

The Pathology of Graphology by David Milnes

The Pathology of Graphology
Author: David Milnes

Watching Sarah Rise: a Journey of Thriving with Autism by Jennifer Celeste Briggs

Watching Sarah Rise: a Journey of Thriving with Autism
Author: Jennifer Celeste Briggs

Category 9: Best Book Cover - Children/Young Adult

Bigfoot is a Jerk
Author: J. Ditchburn Patton

Bob and the Real Dill by Laura Truepenny, Ben Humphreys

Bob and the Real Dill
Author: Laura Truepenny, Ben Humphreys
Cover Designer: Hazel Narbett

Excuse Me: Dyslexic Inclusive (Life's Little Lessons From The Countryside Companions) by Diane Hull

Excuse Me: Dyslexic Inclusive (Life's Little Lessons From The Countryside Companions)
Author: Diane Hull
Cover Designer: Jeannie Duncanson

Growing up Hadley
Author: Dana Harp

I'm going to have a Brother by Laura Diebelius

I'm going to have a Brother
Author: Laura Diebelius
Cover Designer: Francesca Watt

Mummy has a Lump
Author: Simone Baldwin

Now My Life is New by Satyam Chellan, Natasha Chellan

Now My Life is New
Author: Satyam Chellan, Natasha Chellan
Cover Designer: Yogesh Mahajan

Of Mountains And Seas by Emily Renk Hawthorne

Of Mountains And Seas
Author: Emily Renk Hawthorne

Professor Nincompoop
Author: Jimmy Vee
Cover Designer: Ben Askew

Shadow Apprentice
Author: Linda Browne

Tempest's Secret: Brave kids never give up by Ariane Chapelle

Tempest's Secret: Brave kids never give up
Author: Ariane Chapelle
Cover Designer: Macha Yao

The Grumpus Among Us
Author: Sharon R. Miller
Cover Designer: Ashleigh Heyns

The Weight of Water
Author: Dorothy Deene

The Worry Wrinkle
Author: Corey Manny

Unfurling the Sails
Author: Sarah Branson

What the Good Girl Knew
Author: L B Anne

Category 10: Best Book Cover - Adult

A Groundhog Career by Dr. Helmut Schuster and Dr. David Oxley

A Groundhog Career
Author: Dr. Helmut Schuster and Dr. David Oxley

A Guy with Cancer Walks into a Bar
Author: Sergio Jablon

Agnes Karapetsa is All at Sea by Jackie Watson

Agnes Karapetsa is All at Sea
Author: Jackie Watson

And So I Took Their Eyes by Ben C. Davies

And So I Took Their Eyes
Author: Ben C. Davies

Demons to Champions
Author: Gary Coulton

Home for the Bewildered by Michelle Tobin

Home for the Bewildered
Author: Michelle Tobin

How You Think and Feel Changes Your Body: Dynamic Body Psychology by Douglas Peterson Ph.D.

How You Think and Feel Changes Your Body: Dynamic Body Psychology
Author: Douglas Peterson Ph.D.

Hunting The Sun: 1151 The Whale Road
Author: Jean Gill

It's Okay Not to Be Fabulous Every Day! by Ally Dalsimer

It's Okay Not to Be Fabulous Every Day!
Author: Ally Dalsimer

Landed: A yogi's memoir in pieces & poses by Jennifer Lang

Landed: A yogi's memoir in pieces & poses
Author: Jennifer Lang

Moving Forward: The Widow's Journey by Dr. Arlene Sacks

Moving Forward: The Widow's Journey
Author: Dr. Arlene Sacks

OMNIVIOLENCE
Author: Jones Worthington

One More Chance
Author: Reno R. Mist

RESCUE RUN: Capt. Jake Rogers' Daring Return to Occupied Europe by John Winn Miller

RESCUE RUN: Capt. Jake Rogers' Daring Return to Occupied Europe
Author: John Winn Miller

River of Wrath by Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor

River of Wrath
Author: Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor

Secrets of a Social Butterfly by Lynn Bruines

Secrets of a Social Butterfly
Author: Lynn Bruines

Secrets, Songbirds, and Succulents by Iris March

Secrets, Songbirds, and Succulents
Author: Iris March

Soldier Sailor Lover Slave
Author: E F Holt

Soul Walk: The Unexpected Gifts of Grief and Connection to Those in Spirit by Gina Kitzmiller

Soul Walk: The Unexpected Gifts of Grief and Connection to Those in Spirit
Author: Gina Kitzmiller

Splinter
Author: D K Thorne

Stellar Heir
Author: Scott Killian

The Doctor's Future
Author: Dr. Pietro Emanuele Garbelli

The Horrible Terribles by Diego Barrientos

The Horrible Terribles
Author: Diego Barrientos

The Magician's Daughter
Author: Katy Grabel

The Night Counsellor
Author: L K Pang

The Shattered Truce
Author: Donna Brown

The Third Estate Secrets of the Manor by D R Berlin

The Third Estate Secrets of the Manor
Author: D R Berlin

When I Know My Worth by Laura Linn Knight

When I Know My Worth
Author: Laura Linn Knight
Cover Designer: Paola Cifuentes

You Are Here
Author: J D Turner

Zambies
Author: Matt J. Pike

Category 12: Adult/Children's Poetry

A Tide Should Be Able to Rise Despite Its Moon by Jessica Bell

A Tide Should Be Able to Rise Despite Its Moon
Author: Jessica Bell

Clouds on the Ground
Author: Autumn Williams

Exits, Selected Poems by Stephen C. Pollock

Exits, Selected Poems
Author: Stephen C. Pollock

It's A Dog's Life
Author: Barkolomew Twain

Laughing in Her Sleep by Alycia and Jon Vreeland

Laughing in Her Sleep
Author: Alycia and Jon Vreeland

Postcards From Beyond Reality: The Selected Poems of Michael Daniels by Bernard Jan

Postcards From Beyond Reality: The Selected Poems of Michael Daniels
Author: Bernard Jan

Swimming In Words: New and Selected Poems by Luke Icarus Simon

Swimming In Words: New and Selected Poems
Author: Luke Icarus Simon

The 20 Little Poems for 20 Little Gnomes by Raven Howell

The 20 Little Poems for 20 Little Gnomes
Author: Raven Howell

The Weeping Degree
Author: Kelly Watt

The Wisdom I Can't Teach
Author: Paul Coyne

This Is Not About Poems
Author: Diana Button

Variations on Tzara
Author: Jan Skrdlík

WHEN WILL I EVER LEARN
Author: Lynn Marceau

Category 13: Short Story/Novelette

A Manner of Art by D. L. Gardner

A Sailor's Final Knot by Patricia McCandless

Any Younger by Chris Orland

Commanding the Cleanest Space Station by Jessica Kaye

Dustoff Down by Linda Naughton

Flashes of You by Lamar D. Vine

No Mead in Heaven? by Stephanie Shields

OH OH OH by Ken Deeprose

The Bird Lady of Novato by William C. Pollard, Jr

The Dreidel by Elisabeth Marrion

The Drowned Dockworker by Kevin Berry

The Horned Women by Christy Matheson

The King, Lady Killer and the Virgin by Mark Sheehan

The Last Tree by Nathaniel M Wrey

The Victorious Son of the Baggage King by Robbie Mahair

Warrior by Niki Danforth

Red Ribbon Bands

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.

Employment Ethics: Redefining the Employee-Employer Relationship by Travis Schachtner

Red Ribbon

Employment Ethics: Redefining the Employee-Employer Relationship
Author: Travis Schachtner

Red Ribbon

Pryor Knowledge
Author: M. B. Gibson

Red Ribbon

The Suffering Canon
Author: C Davert

Previous Finalists

Finalists 2025

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