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Finalists 2013

Below is a list of the 2013 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, 2014.

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

Maisie's Mountain by Lorna Murphy
Maisie's Mountain
Author: Lorna Murphy
Sir Stan the Bogeyman by Stacie Morrell
Sir Stan the Bogeyman
Author: Stacie Morrell

An Evening With Grandpa by Diana Matlin
An Evening With Grandpa
Author: Diana Matlin
Jasper's Hollow by Janet Annan
Jasper's Hollow
Author: Janet Annan
The Insect Hotel by David Stringer
The Insect Hotel
Author: David Stringer

Ally N. Invasion SPACE SPY by Steve Lill
Ally N. Invasion SPACE SPY
Author: Steve Lill
Believing in Horses by Valerie Ormond
Believing in Horses
Author: Valerie Ormond
Curse of the Scarab by H Y Hanna
Curse of the Scarab
Author: H Y Hanna
Frank Zoo and the Wannabe by Sue Hampton
Frank Zoo and the Wannabe
Author: Sue Hampton
Iron Knights by Robin Bennett
Iron Knights
Author: Robin Bennett
No Buts Becky! by José Patterson
No Buts Becky!
Author: José Patterson
Professor Kompressor Under Cover by Nils Andersson
Professor Kompressor Under Cover
Author: Nils Andersson
Return to Cardamom Book Two by Julie Anne Grasso
Return to Cardamom Book Two
Author: Julie Anne Grasso
Sir Kaye Book 1 by Don M Winn
Sir Kaye Book 1
Author: Don M Winn
The Assembly Room by Bryony Allen
The Assembly Room
Author: Bryony Allen
The Hackers of Oz by Tom Mula
The Hackers of Oz
Author: Tom Mula

Akinyi by Richard Wood
Akinyi
Author: Richard Wood
Arteess Conflict by James Starling
Arteess Conflict
Author: James Starling
Children of the Knight by Michael J Bowler
Children of the Knight
Author: Michael J Bowler
Napoleon Xylophone by Frank Lambert
Napoleon Xylophone
Author: Frank Lambert
Starstruck by Brenda Hiatt
Starstruck
Author: Brenda Hiatt
The Skipper's Child by Valerie Poore
The Skipper's Child
Author: Valerie Poore
The Ultimate Inferior Beings by Mark Roman
The Ultimate Inferior Beings
Author: Mark Roman
You and Me against the World by Raymond Esposito
You and Me against the World
Author: Raymond Esposito

A Little Book of Pleasures by William Wood
A Little Book of Pleasures
Author: William Wood
Angel War by Philip Dodd
Angel War
Author: Philip Dodd
Bookworm by Christopher Nuttall
Bookworm
Author: Christopher Nuttall
Bridge to Nowhere A Miz Mike Novel by Stephanie Parker McKean
Bridge to Nowhere A Miz Mike Novel
Author: Stephanie Parker McKean
Fire and Water by Betsy Graziani Fasbinder
Fire and Water
Author: Betsy Graziani Fasbinder
Flying With Kites by Alan Reynolds
Flying With Kites
Author: Alan Reynolds
LadyBird Fly by Tessa Lorant Warburg
LadyBird Fly
Author: Tessa Lorant Warburg
Ringturn by John C Mawson
Ringturn
Author: John C Mawson
The Goa File Argentina 1945-1983 by James Skinner
The Goa File Argentina 1945-1983
Author: James Skinner
The Hole Opportunity by J. Minter
The Hole Opportunity
Author: J. Minter

Spinach Soup For the Walls by Lynne Harkes
Spinach Soup For the Walls
Author: Lynne Harkes
Sudoku for Christmas by J S Holloway
Sudoku for Christmas
Author: J S Holloway
The Church of Tango: A Memoir by Cherie Magnus
The Church of Tango: A Memoir
Author: Cherie Magnus
The Perfect Pair The Enchanted Mirror by David C Holroyd & Tracy J Holroyd
The Perfect Pair The Enchanted Mirror
Author: David C Holroyd & Tracy J Holroyd


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Jemma and the Raven
A luminous adventure in
this epic YA fantasy debut
Amazon


MEMOIR OF A MANGLED MIND
Steve's 2 other personalities
wreak havoc all around him
Amazon


WHERE DO BEARS SLEEP?
Bedtime for Animals & Children
Illustrated Songbook
by Chris Meade


Sprout's Surprise!
A humorous story with
a gentle ecofriendly message
Amazon


SECRET SKY
Everybody wishes they could
fly - until it happens
books2read.com


DISCOVER YOUR NEXT INDIE
OBSESSION - Find & follow
indie books you'll love.
INDIEGUANA


Esme and Griswald
A WITCH in search of a
POTION to save her PRINCE
Amazon


THE DARK PLACES NOVELS
Paranormal thrillers to
get your pulse racing
kimgravell.com


GOING TO MEET DAD
A playful and sensitive tale
about braving the unknown
by Kathleen Nord Heinz


CALM POND
TOP 10 BOOK - 9 short stories
for 5 - 9 year olds
Amazon


Down to Earth
A practical guide to using
intuition for smarter living.
Amazon


KIRKYARD MOON
Two women, One body.
A historical fantasy novel.
by Rhys Shaw


Burt: The Airport Cat
Heartwarming cat adventure
about friendship!
by Christine Henry


Story and Structure
A book on story: 'beats Joseph
Campbell at his own game.'
Amazon


Glitching Souls
Award-winning, Mind-bending,
Technothriller
Amazon


From Patriarchy to Paradise
The script is flipped:
Women steer back to garden.
expandjoy


RIVER WITCH
A haunting, emotional tale
of magic and purpose.
Amazon


SOUTH KOREA
A nuanced & engaging analysis
of Korea's rise to prominence.
Amazon


From B to A:Britain to Albania
Funny road trip memoir–
with 4 dogs & 1 big truck!
by Jacqueline Lambert


THEY'RE ALL BARKING
Springer Spaniel's eye-opening
view of human behaviour
Amazon


A Good Day and Other...
A wide-ranging collection
of imaginative, funny stories.
Amazon


THE NIGHT SLAYER
Perfect for PERCY JACKSON fans
'Thrill-a-page, fantasy' TWSA
Amazon


Secrets of a Social Butterfly
How I unstuck my life
and you can too.
Lynn Bruines


MILLIE'S RAINBOW
Beautiful picture book.
Kindness and rainbows.
by Hilary Hawkes


The Other Side of Nowhere
A fast-paced page turner
southern gothic horror
by Jack Holt


A QUEST FOR HIDDEN THINGS
A cozy, coming-of-age
fantasy adventure
by Karen Eisenbrey


AT RECEPTION
Will Sally fall for the charms
of a guest? ADULT FICTION
by Galahad Porter


THE WAY OF WATER
Brilliant YA Fantasy with
Magic, Mystery & Romance
Amazon


Don't Look Too Tasty
Hungry aliens, missing
friends. Who can you trust?
Amazon


RED CHAIR PRESS
Titles in Dyslexic and
/or Large Print editions
ReadHowYouWant


BUILDING THE BEAST
Building a home-on-wheels
with zero blueprint.
Amazon


Lines in the Sand
Edgy and isolating. A perfect
memoir of loss and endurance.
F. Scott Service


POLO IN BRAZIL (BOOK 5)
A fast-paced MG graphic
novel exploring climate action
The Adventures of Captain Polo


The Gemini Connection
An intriguing thriller that
will keep you hooked.
Amazon


THE MALLARD MELODRAMAS
A captivating series of
Victorian Mysteries
by RJ Williams


Touch of the Whimsy
Witty fantasy, this Castaway
romance is an enigma!
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


THE MERMELF
Mystery girl. Mermelves arrive
Dystopian rebellion begins
Amazon


THE PHILOSOPHER & THE ASSASSIN
campus novel, moral
philosophy, and murder mystery
Amazon


Popina & Slumberina
Join in a Magical Journey of
Growth and Self Discovery
Amazon


The Word Gobblers
A handbook for parents with
children struggling to read
by Catherine Matthias


NEW TRAILS
One step changed his world.
One man changed his heart.
Amazon


“Hatch Chile Willie”
offers children a heartwarming
tale of friendship
Amazon


A First Book of Microbiology
A fun learning journey
down the microscope lens.
Amazon


Destiny Lives on Fairhaven St.
A father's true story to his
sons. Winner of 17 awards.
Amazon


MaryLou
"An engaging, well-crafted
family drama" TWSA
Amazon


Don't Look Too Tasty
Adventure: 9- to 12-year-olds:
twists & suspense!
by P G H Hannaford


If Roses Were Blue
A stolen dog, lady of
light, 3 rescues—Inspiring!
Amazon


THE GREAT MOSQUITO HUNT
Hunting the world for
the causes of disease
Amazon


MORAL FIBRE
A Lancaster skipper, his crew
and the woman he loves.
by Helena P. Schrader PhD


The Monster Bones of...
A time travel mystery about
an ancient skeleton for kids.
by Linda Maria Frank


Prescription for Frozen Heart
Pride & Prejudice meets
Grey's Anatomy - medical rom.
by Jo-Anne Duffett


There's a Duck in the House
TWSA FINALIST 2023
Large Format with Large Text
Amazon


Finn's Funny Feelings
Helping children to manage
emotions in a healthy way
Amazon





The Other Side of Nowhere
A fast-paced page turner
southern gothic horror
by Jack Holt


Plea to a Frozen God
A desperate trio appeals
to the God of Death.
Amazon


THE GIFT OF BELONGING
A compelling tale of love,
war & finding your way
by Cheryl Burman


THE PEBBLE CHAMPION
A stirring tale
of sadness and self-discovery.
Amazon