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.

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


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


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


SOUTH KOREA
A nuanced & engaging analysis
of Korea's rise to prominence.
Amazon


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


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


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


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


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


SIN EATER
A girl with the power to
erase ANY bad memory!
Amazon


WHINGEY WILLIAMS Term 1
Follow Whingey on her FIRST
adventure on Gower
Amazon


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


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


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


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


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


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


REVOLUTION
A contemporary
satirical novel
Amazon


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


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


MaryLou
"An engaging, well-crafted
family drama" TWSA
Amazon


Your Words Your Love
A dazzling explosion
of beauty for your soul.
books2read


Millie’s Magic
The little mouse
with a big heart.
Amazon


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


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


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


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


The Monarchs
"A thought-provoking spiritual
quest" - Kirkus Reviews
Amazon


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


Momma Llama World
Free coloring sheets,
animated stories & more.
Meet Momma Llama


Pure Ink Press
Quality partnership publisher
open for submissions
Pure Ink Press


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


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


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


FALSE NEUTRAL
One chance to finally
make sense of it all.
Amazon


WELCOME TO OPINE
Homo Sapiens 2.0: Will genetic
blessing be their undoing?
Amazon


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


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


THE PEBBLE CHAMPION
A stirring tale
of sadness and self-discovery.
Amazon


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


The Beast Keepers
A young vet discovers a
world of mythical creatures
Amazon


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


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


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


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


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


If Roses Were Blue
A stolen dog, lady of
light, 3 rescues—Inspiring!
Amazon


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


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


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


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


S.O.S. by Sue C Dugan
An exciting, time-travel
adventure for middle graders
Amazon


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


Esme and Griswald
A WITCH in search of a
POTION to save her PRINCE
Amazon


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





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


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


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


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