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 1st, 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:

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

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
Author: Niki Danforth
Performed by: Erin Parker

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

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

Excuse Me: Dyslexic Inclusive (Life's Little Lessons From The Countryside Companions)
Author: Diane Hull
Cover Designer: Jeannie Duncanson
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
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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My Year at the Good Bean Cafe
A riveting tale of unlikely
and inexplicable events.
Amazon
Tales Beyond Midnight
Dark, twisty and gripping.
You'll never stop at one.
by Kim Gravell
THE DARK PLACES NOVELS
Paranormal thrillers to
get your pulse racing
kimgravell.com
Wartime Secrets, Family Lies
London to life in Washington
in a family of secrets
Amazon
Millie’s Magic
The little mouse
with a big heart.
Amazon
The Ghost of Neil Diamond
A tribute artist scales
the Great Wall of China.
by David Milnes
Finn's Funny Feelings
Helping children to manage
emotions in a healthy way
Amazon
Churchill’s Secret Army
WW2 courage and sacrifice
in the undercover SOE
www.cloudshillpress.com
Lucy Wants To go To School
Perfect for apprehensive
children starting school
Amazon
More Future Dreams/Nightmares
Award-winning SF short
stories of AIs and robots.
Donald Firesmith
The Monarchs
"A thought-provoking spiritual
quest" - Kirkus Reviews
Amazon
Half a Faerie
A disgraced rockstar falls for
a half-faerie single mom.
by Toni Cabell
S.O.S. by Sue C Dugan
An exciting, time-travel
adventure for middle graders
Amazon
THE ART IN MY PALM
Queer coming-of-age tale
set in Cyprus & Australia.
by Luke Icarus Simon
SEA CHANGE
Gay romance and adventure
on a yacht at sea
Nick Bamford
THE GRAVITY OF LIES
WHAT IF YOUR WHOLE LIFE
WAS BASED ON LIES?
Amazon
A First Book of Microbiology
A fun learning journey
down the microscope lens.
Amazon
No Free Speech for Hate
Provocative, chilling, topical
and razor-sharp dystopia
by Stephen Ford
Beyond a World Apart
Story Nazis attempted to burn
based on historical events
Amazon
The One Week Writing Workshop
7 Days to Spark, Boost
or Revive Your Novel
Amazon
Don't Look Too Tasty
Hungry aliens, missing
friends. Who can you trust?
Amazon
I Never Said I Love You
A story of travel, friendship,
forgiveness, & roads not taken
Amazon
Dance Along
A curious cat, a magical
mirror & a world of twirls
Amazon
FIELDS OF PROSPERIS
"Bingeable space opera, best
complex villains"-ARK Watson
Amazon
The Day After His Crucifixion
At last the women speak,
deepening Yeshua's story.
Amazon
From The Back of a Donkey
Multi-award winning. A
captivating look at Christmas.
by Nancy Elaine Hartman Minor
THE PEBBLE CHAMPION
A stirring tale
of sadness and self-discovery.
Amazon
Sea Change by Nick Bamford
'A gay romance and adventure
on a yacht at sea'
nickbamford.com
Popina & Slumberina
Join in a Magical Journey of
Growth and Self Discovery
Amazon
ARNI'S ADVENTURES
8 charming, silly, comic
stories to laugh at & enjoy.
Amazon
Little Puppy's Great Adventure
Adorable story. Great for
both parents as well as kids.
Amazon
Destiny Lives on Fairhaven St.
A father's true story to his
sons. Winner of 17 awards.
Amazon
MERCY'S VIEW: BLACKOUT
Memoir - A runaway's reckless
re-entry into society
Amazon
Truth Was Once Taboo
New humanity, ancient
wisdom: spirituality reborn.
Amazon
Marvelous Mood-Mending Meadow
Picture Book About Gratitude &
Dealing with Kids Emotions
Amazon
THE PHILOSOPHER & THE ASSASSIN
campus novel, moral
philosophy, and murder mystery
Amazon
Naked in the Now
What if presence felt like
being seduced by life?
Amazon
Momma Llama World
Free coloring sheets,
animated stories & more.
Meet Momma Llama
Into the Thicket
Boy finds an injured rabbit
sparks heartfelt journey
Amazon
Jack's 1st Birthday Adventure
Journey to Jingle Jangle:
A fun story with activities!
Amazon
Touch of the Whimsy
Witty fantasy, this Castaway
romance is an enigma!
Amazon
RIVER WITCH
A haunting, emotional tale
of magic and purpose.
Amazon
The Mystery of the Lost Avenge
Multilevel story/ghost/romance
forensics/WWII/espionage
Linda Maria Frank
Bentley Makes a Dump Cake
A delightful, messy adventure
with joy, teamwork, & color
Miki Taylor
The Third Estate
WHEN THE TRUTH SURFACES
AND THE LIES are REVEALED
Amazon
DAUGHTER OF SPIES
Wartime Secrets, Family Lies
A FINALIST in TWSA
Amazon
MORAL FIBRE
A Lancaster skipper, his crew
and the woman he loves.
by Helena P. Schrader PhD
THE SAD PRINCESS
Refinding joy with our
children is not a fairy tale
Amazon
NEW TRAILS
A queer portal fantasy of
magic, courage, and home
books2read
Your Perfect Freelancer HERE!
Illustrators, Writers, Blurbs,
Editors, Layout Designs
Metaworx
THE CURIST
Abby Steel hunts an evil
killer. Can he be caught?
Amazon
MaryLou
"An engaging, well-crafted
family drama" TWSA
Amazon
The Graffiti Killer
A mind unhinged on
the fulcrum of our age.
by David Milnes
THOSE DARN STRIPES
A genuine read opening the
doors on love, life, & meaning
Amazon
The Pond of Reflection
A Fantasy Adventure - Teamwork
Friendship & Self-Discovery
Amazon
WHEN JESUS CALLS
A Story of Undeniable Faith.
TWSA 2023 FINALIST
marthagayle
S.O.S. by Sue C Dugan
An exciting, time-travel
adventure for middle graders
Amazon
DOWN TO EARTH
Master the art of combining
logic with intuition
Amazon
The Book Witch
A thrilling, fast paced
fantasy book for MGs
Amazon

















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































