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


Irish Famine Novel
My novel Hungry Trails
celebrates family resilience
Amazon


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


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


REVOLUTION: A NOVEL
Comical misadventures in
modern Los Angeles
Amazon


If Roses Were Blue
Inspiring, heart-warming
adventure for ages 8 & up
Amazon


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


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


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


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


Prescription for Frozen Heart
Pride & Prejudice meets
Grey's Anatomy - medical rom.
by Jo-Anne Duffett


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


Jemma and the Raven
A luminous adventure in
this epic YA fantasy debut
Amazon


SEA CHANGE
Gay romance and adventure
on a yacht at sea
Nick Bamford


The Crooked Ladder
It's time to climb...
or die
Amazon


LOOK AWAY NO MORE
A story rich in history & love
at a Georgia college in 1970.
Amazon


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


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


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


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


Mother To Elephants
A Beautiful Tale of
Care and Compassion
Amazon


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


Crowded platforms Window Seats
One family's adventures
around Europe by train.
Amazon


Moonshine Mesa
Why are bees, crows &
humans dying at the Mesa?
Amazon


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


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


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


There's a Duck in the House
TWSA FINALIST 2023
Large Format with Large Text
Amazon


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


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


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


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


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


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


No Free Speech for Hate
Provocative, chilling, topical
and razor-sharp dystopia
by Stephen Ford


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


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


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


Don't Look Too Tasty
Adventure: 9- to 12-year-olds:
twists & suspense!
by P G H Hannaford


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


DEAR JAMES
I know it's been 20 years, but
I needed to tell you I'm sorry
Amazon


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


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


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


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


The Word Gobblers
A handbook for parents with
children struggling to read
by Catherine Matthias


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


MORAL FIBRE
A Lancaster skipper, his crew
and the woman he loves.
by Helena P. Schrader PhD


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


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


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


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


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


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


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





Sammie and Pumpkin
An adopted dog learns
how to make new friends.
Amazon


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


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


“Hatch Chile Willie”
offers children a heartwarming
tale of friendship
Amazon