Finalists 2026
Below is a list of the 2026 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, 2027.
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:
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Your Words Your Love
A dazzling explosion
of beauty for your soul.
books2read
Out of the Darkness...
A memoir of animal
connections, love, and healing
books2read.com
Soar: A Soul's Quest
A young eagle on a quest of
self-discovery & enlightenment
Amazon
The Other Lotus Girl
He was buying tea.
She was running for her life.
danielariddle.com
HABITAT MAN
Midlife crisis meets eco-
fiction in heartwarming romcom
Amazon
LADY IN RED
Teen sleuths search for
a missing masterpiece.
Amazon
My Year at the Good Bean Cafe
A riveting tale of unlikely
and inexplicable events.
Amazon
MOTHER TO ELEPHANTS
A heartwarming, inspiring kids
picture book biography
THE STORY OF DAPHNE SHELDRICK
From The Back of a Donkey
Multi-award winning. A
captivating look at Christmas.
by Nancy Elaine Hartman Minor
Little Puppy's Great Adventure
Adorable story. Great for
both parents as well as kids.
Amazon
The Cup of Christ Trilogy
Epic mystical thriller across
centuries! A must!!!
by Jack Holt
There's a Duck in the House
TWSA FINALIST 2023
Large Format with Large Text
Amazon
ELLA'S WAR
Heart-stopping, spirit-lifting
award-winning historical novel
vineleavespress
TALE OF THE ENGLISH TEMPLAR
Resistance to tyranny starts
with an act of compassion
by Helena P Schrader
Perfect Middle Grade Series
Montana and her friends
save the forest animals!
Amazon
Moonshine Mesa
Why are bees, crows, & humans
dying at Moonshine Mesa?
Amazon
Fenix and the Firework Fliers
Can Fenix save the Fireworks
when a firefly gets sick?
creativemovementstories.com
CAME A GENTLE WHISPER
A bittersweet, richly
layered historical romance.
by Rebecca A. Cathey
DRAGONDAH
The Secret Legacy
of Ottillee Bottomly
Amazon
The Halloween Candy MONSTER
Jimmy teaches the Halloween
candy monster a lesson
Amazon
The Pathology of Graphology
Two citizens of the lower
depths kill an aging DJ.
by David Milnes
ANGELS
A YA LGBTQ+ emotional
rollercoaster.
'Perfect. 5 stars.'
THE CURIST
Abby Steel hunts an evil
killer. Can he be caught?
Amazon
LIVING AT THE EDGE OF THE
WORLD Swap Wi-Fi for Wildlife
Shetland Adventure 9-12
WINTER, Book 1
MaryLou
"An engaging, well-crafted
family drama" TWSA
Amazon
The Faces She Sees
A thrilling mind-freak of a
mystery - Kirkus Review
by Elizabeth Scozzari
REVOLUTION: A NOVEL
Comical misadventures in
modern Los Angeles
Amazon
Happisad Memories
Where magic meets grief.
A page-turning novel.
by M.P.B. Clairette
The Boy from the Night Sky
Thrilling fantasy adventure
for all ages.
Amazon
REMEMBER THIS
Award-Winning
Spiritual Masterpiece
Truly life changing!
Playing Soldier
A savagely haunting true
journey of self-discovery.
F. Scott Service
Dance Along
A curious cat, a magical
mirror & a world of twirls
Amazon
The Devil has Spoken
2020: The Devil has created a
virus that won't discriminate
Everand
THE MERMELF
Mystery girl. Mermelves arrive
Dystopian rebellion begins
Amazon
The One-Year Novelist
Takes You Step-By-Step From
Idea To Finished Draft
Amazon
A Mixing Colour Adventure
Colour mixing, teamwork &
perseverance for 3 - 7 yr olds
Amazon
AT WARBLE'S BAR
Pregnant Lucy searches for the
father...ADULT FICTION
by Galahad Porter
WHINGEY WILLIAMS Term 1
Follow Whingey on her FIRST
adventure on Gower
Amazon
BUILDING THE BEAST
Building a home-on-wheels
with zero blueprint.
Amazon
Beyond a World Apart
Story Nazis attempted to burn
based on historical events
Amazon
The Lonely Lighthouse Bogle
A quirky tale celebrating
the magic of friendship.
Amazon
SO YOU WANT TO BE AN ARCHITECT
Dream up towers and
make them stand for good
by Linda Soules
TEMPEST AND THE BRIGHTON
TREASURE - A middle-grade
adventure children will love!
Amazon
THE GIFT OF BELONGING
A compelling tale of love,
war & finding your way
by Cheryl Burman
Popina & Slumberina
Join in a Magical Journey of
Growth and Self Discovery
Amazon
THE ART IN MY PALM
Queer coming-of-age tale
set in Cyprus & Australia.
by Luke Icarus Simon
SOUL WALK
Unexpected Gifts of Grief and
Connection to Those in Spirit
Amazon
The Book of Jack
Candid and inspiring story of
coming to terms with suicide.
F. Scott Service
POLE TO POLE (Book 4)
A fast-paced MG graphic
novel on climate change
The Adventures of Captain Polo
THE JEWEL OF WENZLO
An epic conflict
between rodent kings
Amazon
Churchill’s Secret Army
WW2 courage and sacrifice
in the undercover SOE
www.cloudshillpress.com
MY SHADOW
A storybook for children
of parents with epilepsy
lulu.com
THE SAD PRINCESS
Refinding joy with our
children is not a fairy tale
Amazon
MUPPIT BOY - ALLERGIES OF EVIL
"Suspense-filled, humor-filled
adventure for 9 – 12s" TWSA
by Michael J. Bowler
Then We'll Say Goodnight
How would you get your
unruly puppies back to bed?
Amazon
HABITAT MAN
Midlife crisis meets eco-
fiction in heartwarming romcom
Amazon
ANGEL OF ASHES
Award-winning epic YA
fantasy adventure series!
Amazon
The Shadow and the Scream
Stranger Things meets
Alice in Wonderland.
Amazon
Aunty Jane Knits Up A Storm
Knitting, Friendship, Loss &
Healing in a Children's Story
Amazon