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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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Of Mountains and Seas
A multigenerational urban
fantasy mystery.
Amazon


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


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


Wild Asses of Mojave Desert
“Funny & tender, moving &
poetic" Recommended US Review
books2read.com


Connecting Threads
A graphic memoir of
resilience and hope
Amazon


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


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


Naked in the Now
What if presence felt like
being seduced by life?
Amazon


Aunty Jane Knits Up A Storm
Knitting, Friendship, Loss &
Healing in a Children's Story
Amazon


Chronicles of MatiLou/PerryAnn
Through it all the girls work
to save Mother Earth.
Amazon


Bentley's Fantabulous Idea
Embark on a whimsical colorful
journey filled with fun
MikiTaylor


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


THE MAGIC OF KINDNESS
Join the adventure with
the cat witches here:
Amazon


Anna and the Adders
A rhyming counting book
to get little ones learning
Amazon


Marco & Me
Stories & photos of the
adventures of a real dog
Amazon


The Collective Consciousness
Embark on a journey into the
depths of the human spirit!
Amazon


Rainbow Cat and Mouse
How a hungry cat and a feisty
mouse become best friends
Amazon


Mirrors & Smoke: A War of 1812
'A smartly plotted, character
novel set in 1800s Canada' WSA
Amazon/Audible


Crossing Borders
American memoir on prospects
for peace in Palestine/Israel
christabruhn.com


TEMPEST AND THE BRIGHTON
TREASURE - A middle-grade
adventure children will love!
Amazon


DRAGONDAH (9 - 12 year olds)
Solving ancient mysteries and
outwitting scheming villains!
Amazon


THOSE DARN STRIPES
A genuine read opening the
doors on love, life, & meaning
Amazon


Escape From Peconic Bay
A novel of love, impending
war, and espionage.
books2read


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


DON'T DOUBT THE RAINBOW series
Crime-busting teen
detective adventures!
www.crownhouse.co.uk


Ghoul of Sherwood
Robin Hood and his men solve
a grisly murder near a nunnery
Amazon


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


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


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


THE COIN
CAN FINDING A COIN
GET YOU KILLED?
books2read


Bentley Makes a Dump Cake
A delightful, messy adventure
with joy, teamwork, & color
Miki Taylor


Secrets of The Sealed Forest
Magic awakens in this
modern fantasy adventure.
Amazon


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


The Last Professional
A hobo, a wanderer, a madman-
their lives are on the line!
www.eddavisbooks.com


Out of the Darkness...
A memoir of animal
connections, love, and healing
books2read.com


HUNGRY TRAILS
‘A…culturally rich family
chronicle.’ Kirkus Review
Amazon


Soar: A Soul's Quest
A young eagle on a quest of
self-discovery & enlightenment
Amazon


The Lost Heir Book 1 and 2
Mash Princess Bride
+ dash of GOT
Amazon


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


CREATIVE NONFICTION CONTEST
$1000 prize & publication.
Open internationally.
VINE LEAVES PRESS


MERCY'S VIEW: BLACKOUT
Memoir - A runaway's reckless
re-entry into society
Amazon


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


Marvelous Mood-Mending Meadow
Picture Book About Gratitude &
Dealing with Kids Emotions
Amazon


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


Wild Atlantic Way Anthology
Characters along Ireland’s
Majestic Coast
Amazon


Your Perfect Freelancer HERE!
Illustrators, Writers, Blurbs,
Editors, Layout Designs
Metaworx


THE BOOK
Earth will be fine, humanity
is on track for annihilation!
Amazon


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


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


What Death Taught Terrence
A man reviews life from the
beyond. What will he learn?
Amazon


Rider of the Wind
An exultant celebration
of the magic of music
Amazon


Irish Famine Novel
My novel Hungry Trails
celebrates family resilience
Amazon


SONG FOR MY FATHER
"A gripping drama...a FINALIST
and highly recommended." TWSA
Amazon


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





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


Lead the Competition
Read 100 Livestreaming &
Digital Media Predictions.
Amazon


PICTURE THE ALPHABET
Find over 150 objects, learn
letters & build vocabulary.
Amazon


From The Back of a Donkey
Multi-award winning. A
captivating look at Christmas.
by Nancy Elaine Hartman Minor