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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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From The Back of a Donkey
Fresh captivating look at the
Christmas Story told by Mary
by Nancy Elaine Hartman Minor


The Lonely Lighthouse Bogle
A quirky rhyming tale honoring
the magic of friendship
Amazon


Into the Thicket
Boy finds an injured rabbit
sparks heartfelt journey
Amazon


The Book of Wisdom-ish
Adventure begins with
a book. And an A.
Amazon


ANGELS
A YA LGBTQ+ emotional
rollercoaster.
'Perfect. 5 stars.'


LoveVortex ... Drakor's Curse
A voyage into the unknown -
and a terrible curse.
Amazon


ONE FOOL'S GOLD
Is that nugget you seek gold,
or only fool's gold?
Amazon


Connecting Threads
A graphic memoir of
resilience and hope
Amazon


POLE TO POLE (Book 4)
A fast-paced MG graphic
novel on climate change
The Adventures of Captain Polo


The Graffiti Killer
A mind unhinged on
the fulcrum of our age.
by David Milnes


WHEN JESUS CALLS
A Story of Undeniable Faith.
TWSA 2023 FINALIST
marthagayle


The Shadow and the Scream
Stranger Things meets
Alice in Wonderland.
Amazon


Sea Change by Nick Bamford
'A gay romance and adventure
on a yacht at sea'
nickbamford.com


THE GRAVITY OF LIES
WHAT IF YOUR WHOLE LIFE
WAS BASED ON LIES?
Amazon


❜Twas the Day of Christmas
Join Marco, Pet Pom Dog
and Santa for the Holidays
Amazon


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


MY SHADOW
A storybook for children
of parents with epilepsy
lulu.com


The Stranger of Ul Darak BK 1
A new intriguing epic
high fantasy series
sceston.com


DOWN TO EARTH
Master the art of combining
logic with intuition
Amazon


Moonshine Mesa
Why are bees, crows &
humans dying at the Mesa?
Amazon


Half a Faerie
A disgraced rockstar falls for
a half-faerie single mom.
by Toni Cabell


LOOK AWAY NO MORE
A story rich in history & love
at a Georgia college in 1970.
Amazon


Arni's Adventures
Pet dinosaur, bear, cat story
for the young reader.
Ashok


The War Ongoing: Knightfall
Knights embark on adventure
where sci-fi & fantasy collide
Amazon


More Future Dreams/Nightmares
Award-winning SF short
stories of AIs and robots.
Donald Firesmith


Lucy Wants To go To School
Perfect for apprehensive
children starting school
Amazon


MEMOIR OF A MANGLED MIND
Three minds. One body.
And nobody is safe.
Amazon


The One Week Writing Workshop
7 Days to Spark, Boost
or Revive Your Novel
Amazon


LADY IN RED
Teen sleuths search for
a missing masterpiece.
Amazon


The Other Lotus Girl
He was buying tea.
She was running for her life.
danielariddle.com


SOUL WALK
Unexpected Gifts of Grief and
Connection to Those in Spirit
Amazon


Sammie and Pumpkin
An adopted dog learns
how to make new friends.
Amazon


Truth Was Once Taboo
New humanity, ancient
wisdom: spirituality reborn.
Amazon


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


THE PORTAL KEEPER
Enter a world of Fantastic
Creatures and Magic!
books2read


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


THE JEWEL OF WENZLO
An epic conflict
between rodent kings
Amazon


Around the Globe
The Adventures of Squishy
and Boo, Book 3
Amazon


The Ghost of Neil Diamond
A tribute artist scales
the Great Wall of China.
by David Milnes


Arctic Dinosaurs
Her first Arctic year -
middle grade - free activities
Fathom Publishing


The Book of Jack
Candid and inspiring story of
coming to terms with suicide.
F. Scott Service


Losing Austin
A gripping drama for teens
full of suspense & mystery
Amazon


101 Ways to Wow! Our World
Insights, ideas, & actions
to WOW your life now!
Amazon


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


THE SAD PRINCESS
Refinding joy with our
children is not a fairy tale
Amazon


THE FOUNDLING
A foundling rises to
reclaim his stolen birthright
Amazon


Perfect Middle Grade Series
Montana and her friends
save the forest animals!
Amazon


BOBBIN AND THE MAGIC THIEF
A broken rule. A stolen
friend. A faerie rescue.
books2read


BEAUTIFUL AND TERRIBLE THINGS
A NOVEL. Award-winning story
of social justice & friendship
Amazon


A Mixing Colour Adventure
Colour mixing, teamwork &
perseverance for 3 - 7 yr olds
Amazon


Growing up Hadley
A story to shatter your heart
then mend it anew.
danawritesbooks


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


101 Ways to Wow! Our World
Insights, ideas, & actions
to encourage & empower
Amazon


Terracolina-A Place to Belong
A fantasy to delight middle-
graders and nature lovers.
Amazon


CAME A GENTLE WHISPER
A bittersweet, richly
layered historical romance.
by Rebecca A. Cathey





The Halloween Candy MONSTER
Jimmy teaches the Halloween
candy monster a lesson
Amazon


Losing Austin
A gripping drama for teens
full of suspense & mystery
Amazon


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


Fenix and the Firework Fliers
Can Fenix save the Fireworks
when a firefly gets sick?
creativemovementstories.com