Previous Finalists





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.

Jump straight to:

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


Sponsored Ads



Inspirational Mindset Journey
This book, therapy by power of
fiction, can alter your life.
Amazon


A HARD SILENCE
Grief, love, and learning to
speak the unspeakable
www.vineleavespress.com


Churchill’s Secret Army
WW2 courage and sacrifice
in the undercover SOE
www.cloudshillpress.com


Starr of the Show
SEL shows a new squad how to
shine. MG Reader/School Issues
shinyfriendssupersquad.com


Selfish Shellfish & Sick Sea
An environmental gem for the
age. Get your copy at:
theprolificword.com


50 SECRETS NOBODY TELLS YOU IN
IN HOLLYWOOD Helping actors
avoid pitfalls & find success
Amazon


Mother To Elephants
A Beautiful Tale of
Care and Compassion
Amazon


TOUCH
Gritty coming-of-age
fiction with a purpose
Amazon


Return to Vienna
How SOE worked to free
Austria from Hitler's grip
Amazon


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


No Death in Finding Nemo
Stories of mundane lives which
change in surprising ways
www.jeffreyfeingold.com


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


Rooted and Remembered
An orphaned boy wonders if
home is a place or a feeling.
Goodreads


Nemesis Rising
"Survival comes with a cost
for Sam … his humanity."
Amazon


THE MERMELF
Mystery girl. Mermelves arrive
Dystopian rebellion begins
Amazon


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


CHARLES DARWIN...
An entertaining learning
resource for curious kids.
www.alanhesse.com


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


AMAZING WORLD BENEATH THE
WAVES Satisfy your curiosity
about oceans
www.barnettauthor.co.uk


The Puppet Maker's Daughter
Marika protects her family &
orphaned children from Nazis.
Amazon


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


THE JEWEL OF WENZLO
An epic conflict
between rodent kings
Amazon


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


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


LIKE A HERO
Being a superhero WITHOUT
powers is never easy!
books2read


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


I’m Going to Have a Sister
For new siblings teaching
patience & understanding
thegreatbritishbookshop


MUMMY TRUMPS
A rhyming flatulent book that
is fun for all of the family.
Amazon


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


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


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


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


THE SOCIETY
Elizabeth Grant Thriller-woman
embroiled in a conspiracy
Amazon


A Vampire's Tooth Fairy Chase
A vampire with flat teeth
searches for the Tooth Fairy.
Amazon


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


Samurai's Gift Among Forest
A grieving child's journey
to healing her spirit.
books2read


The Devil has Spoken
2020: The Devil has created a
virus that won't discriminate
Everand


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


An Enemy Like Me
A story not only of war but of
love & what we will do for it.
Amazon


Oscar and Friends...
will help you along, sharing
a world where everyone belongs
mollyarbuthnott


JUST RIVER
Hilarious and grave.
A story of resilience.
Amazon


NEW TRAILS
A queer portal fantasy of
magic, courage, and home
books2read


DRAGONDAH
The Secret Legacy
of Ottillee Bottomly
Amazon


THE CURIST
Abby Steel hunts an evil
killer. Can he be caught?
Amazon


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


“Later,” Said Gator
Encourage kids to clean up
in a positive, fun way!
Amazon


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


CLEAR-CUTS
In 72 hours, a legend, a lore
& 2 brothers will all collide
Amazon


Dinosaur Symphony
A Guide to Dinosaurs
and Classical Music
Amazon


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


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


Angry Arthur
and The Run Around Trick
Learn to manage big feelings
Amazon


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


SKY ICE
Demon hunters. Slow-burn
romance. Hidden world.
Amazon


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





The Mystery of the Lost Avenge
Multilevel story/ghost/romance
forensics/WWII/espionage
Linda Maria Frank


PARIS BLUE, first love memoir
Classical music and first love
in the magical city of Paris
www.mybook.to


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


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