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



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


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


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


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


REVOLUTION: A NOVEL
Comical misadventures in
modern Los Angeles
Amazon


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


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


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


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


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


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


THE FISH TANK - short stories
NARRATIVES ABOUT LIFE, EXILE,
GHOSTS…AND MURDER.
books2read


THE TIFFIN
Lost tiffin. Note gone astray.
A boy's search for family.
Amazon


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


The Pond of Reflection
A Fantasy Adventure - Teamwork
Friendship & Self-Discovery
Amazon


The Faces She Sees
A thrilling mind-freak of a
mystery - Kirkus Review
by Elizabeth Scozzari


ULTIMATE OBSESSION
A cracking murder/mystery
packed with twists and turns.
Dai Henley


THE MERMELF
Mystery girl. Mermelves arrive
Dystopian rebellion begins
Amazon


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


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


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


Dance Along
A curious cat, a magical
mirror & a world of twirls
Amazon


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


INTO THE BLAZE
A new trilogy where fantasy,
myth, and reality entwine
Amazon


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


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


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


HABITAT MAN
Midlife crisis meets eco-
fiction in heartwarming romcom
Amazon


One Year, One Night, 2nd Ed.
A beautiful story set in an
English village during WWII.
Amazon


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


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


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


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


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


THE COIN
CAN FINDING A COIN
GET YOU KILLED?
books2read


DAUGHTER OF SPIES
Wartime Secrets, Family Lies
A FINALIST in TWSA
Amazon


ELLA'S WAR
Heart-stopping, spirit-lifting
award-winning historical novel
vineleavespress


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


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


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


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


Gigglet Goes to School
Get your giggle on with
Gigglet. Perfect for 0 - 6 yrs
AMB Kids Books


CHARCOAL BOY
Tudor London, boy, entangled
in politics, wins through
Amazon


It Rains in February
A wife's memoir of love,
suicide, grief and loss
Amazon


Tales Beyond Midnight
Dark, twisty and gripping.
You'll never stop at one.
by Kim Gravell


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


REVOLUTION
A contemporary
satirical novel
Amazon


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


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


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


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


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


The Faraway Mountains
A memorable novel about
growing up under dictatorship
Amazon


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


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





The Broken Wife
A gripping tale of love,
loss, and BETRAYAL.
Amazon


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


The Boy and the Big White Rock
'...rewarding memoir of coming
of age in the 1960s.' KIRKUS
Barnes and Noble


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