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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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Smurgle The Windy Dragon
By Jane Clack, ill. by Lucy
Nicholson. A FUN PICTURE BOOK!
Amazon


The Fungus Among Us
Encourage children to explore
and connect to nature
Amazon


The Boy from the Night Sky
Thrilling fantasy adventure
for all ages.
Amazon


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


Mother To Elephants
A Beautiful Tale of
Care and Compassion
Amazon


Beyond a World Apart
Story Nazis attempted to burn
based on historical events
Amazon


Soul Release
An epic fantasy action
adventure in a world of magic.
Amazon


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


My Solo Wedding in Santorini
A true story. Honest,
thought-provoking & funny .
blogaboutl


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


The Shadow of the Volcano
A thrilling 'time travel'
adventure for 7 - 13 yr olds.
Amazon


THEY'RE ALL BARKING
Discover how your lifestyle
and emotions affect your dog
Amazon


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


Playing Soldier
A savagely haunting true
journey of self-discovery.
F. Scott Service


Connecting Threads
A graphic memoir of
resilience and hope
Amazon


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


HENRY
Inspiring WWII Nonfiction
survival account
Amazon


Sam & Me & the Hard Pear Tree
A personal account of
a mother’s ultimate loss
Amazon


WAYS TO BE EQUALLY HUMAN
A deep dive into being non-
binary,climate activism & love
by Leslie Tate


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


Demons to Champions
A tale of neurodivergent
awakening and triumph.
Amazon


Winkle and Aster
Urban fantasy that takes
imagination to its limits
books2read


Jack's 1st Birthday Adventure
Journey to Jingle Jangle:
A fun story with activities!
Amazon


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


Escape From Peconic Bay
A fast-paced, historical novel
set during the run up to WW2
books2read


OUT OF TIME
Love at 78? Life has a
time limit. Love doesn't.
M. Jacqueline Murray


Thar She Blows
Brian got swallowed by
a whale. Mom’ll be mad.
www.books2read.com


I Never Said I Love You
A story of travel, friendship,
forgiveness, & roads not taken
Amazon


ANGEL OF ASHES
Award-winning epic YA
fantasy adventure series!
Amazon


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


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


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


LIVING AT THE EDGE OF THE
WORLD Swap Wi-Fi for Wildlife
Shetland Adventure 9-12
WINTER, Book 1


Hecatomb of the Vampire
5 horror tales link in book 1
of The Dark Rituals Saga
Amazon


RAVEN'S GRAVE Charlotte Stuart
Betrayal and death in
an Alaskan Tlingit village.
Amazon


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


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


TEMPEST'S SECRET
Adorable cosy mystery
with a kitten for 7-9 yr olds
Amazon


Publishing Questions?
Find easy to understand
answers, top tips & more.
oldmatemedia


GOING UNDER THE RADAR
Honest, insightful, battling
autism/mental health - TWSA
Amazon


VR,AR &AI in Special Education
Tech transforming special ed:
benefits, risks & apps
Amazon


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


The Bride's Trunk
A gripping true story of
Anglo-German reconciliation
Amazon


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


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


A Portion of Malice
A thought-provoking thrill
ride into the apocalypse
Amazon


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


Clifftop Farm in Wartime
A story of WW2
evacuated children
Amazon


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


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


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


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


Sara My Sara
A moving tale of friendship,
loss, and the gifts of grief.
Amazon


The Third Estate
WHEN THE TRUTH SURFACES
AND THE LIES are REVEALED
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


Alphamind
Embark on a journey into the
depths of the human spirit!
Amazon


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


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