Finalists 2023
Below is a list of the 2023 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, 2024.
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.
Sponsored Ads
DRAGONDAH
The Secret Legacy
of Ottillee Bottomly
Amazon
When Secrets Come to Light
A novel of love, mystery
friendships, and murder
www.georgerhopkins.com
Sneaky Snobby by Jennifer Kvam
LOOK OUT! Making trouble is
Sneaky Snobby´s hobby!
Amazon
Starr of the Show
SEL shows a new squad how to
shine. MG Reader/School Issues
shinyfriendssupersquad.com
THE MAGIC OF KINDNESS
Join the adventure with
the cat witches here:
Amazon
Children of the Realm
Girl finds mythical origins
in YA urban fantasy
Amazon
Love in Another Time
Is love stronger than the
secret of two women?
Amazon
Hieroglyph
A fantastical mix of history &
fantasy. GOLD medal winner!
Amazon
RAIN FALLING ON EMBERS
A grieving, fish out of water
teen struggles to survive.
KatieMcCabeSeries.com
For Evil Done & Evil Suffered
Gripping murder mystery; tease
the brain & stir the senses.
Amazon
Finding Karen Black
The heartwarming mother-
daughter reunion story
Amazon
CLOUDY WITH CHANCE OF ANSWERS
"Crazy family. Endless cold
case. Then there's a clue!"
Amazon
Love in the Cupboard
A sweet, clean Catholic Priest
seeks a wife rom-com
Amazon
Cutter Kauai Sea Adventures
A Special Ops patrol boat’s
Caribbean adventures.
Edward M. Hochsmann
HUNGRY TRAILS
‘A…culturally rich family
chronicle.’ Kirkus Review
Amazon
A Vampire's Tooth Fairy Chase
A vampire with flat teeth
searches for the Tooth Fairy.
Amazon
Rainbow Cat and Mouse
How a hungry cat and a feisty
mouse become best friends
Amazon
There's a Duck in the House
TWSA FINALIST 2023
Large Format with Large Text
Amazon
The Stranger of Ul Darak BK 1
A new intriguing epic
high fantasy series
sceston.com
Ruby the Emotional Stingray
Handling emotions for kids.
BEDTIME STORY
Amazon
Exclusion Zone
The VORKOSIGAN SAGA
meets DIE HARD.
Amazon
Music from a Strange Planet
Stories: An intense, inventive
deep-dive into interior worlds
Goodreads
RAVEN'S GRAVE Charlotte Stuart
Betrayal and death in
an Alaskan Tlingit village.
Amazon
PICTURE THE ALPHABET
Find over 150 objects, learn
letters & build vocabulary.
Amazon
MUMMY TRUMPS
A rhyming flatulent book that
is fun for all of the family.
Amazon
The Halloween Candy MONSTER
Jimmy teaches the Halloween
candy monster a lesson
Amazon
EVERKNIGHT
A Heroic Journey of
Uncompromising Honor
Amazon
Alfie Slider vs Shape Shifter
It’s no ordinary key –
it breaks the laws of physics!
Amazon
How We Healed
A vivid family saga and an
unforgettable healing odyssey
Amazon
A Lady Newspaperman’s Dilemma
Alex’s goal: succeed in the
1926 male world of news
Amazon
The Beast Keepers
A young vet discovers a
world of mythical creatures
Amazon
The Nephilem
A Sun-soaked setting
with a difference.
www.exquil.com
Literary Historical Fiction
Karma and horses drive one
family through 2500 Years.
Amazon
THE DARK PLACES NOVELS
Paranormal thrillers to
get your pulse racing
kimgravell.com
The Eye of Nineveh (thriller)
They found a gem powered by
the gods. Now, it´s vanished.
Amazon
I FEEL YOUR STARE
An Autobiography
BOOK AWARD WINNER!
Amazon
The Last Professional
A hobo, a wanderer, a madman-
their lives are on the line!
www.eddavisbooks.com
A Trip From God, Book 1
NEW gods NEW religion NEW
prophet NEW order OLD insanity
Amazon
An Enemy Like Me
A story not only of war but of
love & what we will do for it.
Amazon
The Girl Who Looked Beyond...
13 yrs old. How can she have
a destiny to save the world?
Amazon
A SQUEAKY TOY, A LEASH, AND
A PRAYER Mom's Choice Awards
GOLD - for dog loving families
Amazon
PLAYING SOLDIER
An unflinching tale of
nourishing self-acceptance.
Amazon
CALM POND
TOP 10 BOOK - 9 short stories
for 5 - 9 year olds
Amazon
NUDGES FROM THE OTHER SIDE
Must-read for those who grieve
or curious about the afterlife
Amazon
Top Psychological Thriller
Two couples befriend each
other with tragic consequences
Amazon
Adventures of Negassi Brothers
Exciting children's adventure
into African history
Amazon
Adventures of Beryl and Carol
Award winning, clean teen
adventure for all ages.
berylandcarol
In the Shadows of Castles
A story of love, hope and
survival in a time of war.
Amazon
Nemesis Rising
"Survival comes with a cost
for Sam … his humanity."
Amazon
DANCE STANCE
"Highly recommended! A truly
excellent book" Wishing Shelf
bookshop.org
Soar: A Soul's Quest
A young eagle on a quest of
self-discovery & enlightenment
Amazon
My Year at the Good Bean Café
Weird and inexplicable events
and their effect on our lives
Amazon
Children Who Dance in the Rain
A children's book about
gratitude and self-discovery.
Amazon
Harmony Dances On
Helping children navigate the
journey through grief
Amazon
Marco & Me
Stories & photos of the
adventures of a real dog
Amazon
Master of Music - Marla Himeda
Book 1 of a unique,
inspirational fantasy series!
Amazon
LIKE A HERO
Being a superhero WITHOUT
powers is never easy!
books2read
PICTURE THE ALPHABET
Find over 150 objects, learn
letters & build vocabulary.
Amazon
Top Psychological Thriller
Two couples befriend each
other with tragic consequences
Amazon