Finalists 2022
Below is a list of the 2022 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, 2023.
Jump straight to:
- Category 1: Pre-school picture books
- Category 2: Books for 6 - 8 year olds
- Category 3: Books for 9 - 12 year olds
- Category 4: Books for Teenagers
- Category 5: Books for adults (fiction)
- Category 6: Books for Adults (non-fiction)
- Category 7: Audio Book - Children/Young Adult
- Category 8: Audio Book - Adult
- Category 9: Best Book Cover - Children/Young Adult
- Category 10: Best Book Cover - Adult
- Red Ribbon Bands
If you happen to be looking for a good read, the readers at The Wishing Shelf Awards thoroughly recommend the following:

Benny the Brave in The First Day Jitters
Author: Julie Anne Penn and Darren Penn
Illustrator: Sergio De Giorgi

The Dragon and the Unicorn: The Magic of Friendship,
Author: Charly Froh
Illustrator: Zuzana Svobodova

Novo, The Space Robot, How to Solve the Mystery of Crying
Author: Charly Froh
Illustrator: Zuzanna Svobodova

Super Kena - A Girl Made Fierce with Hearing Aids
Author: Becky Cymbaluk
Illustrator: Zuzana Svobodova
A Red Ribbon is awarded to a book that did NOT get over 25/35 to be a finalist, but was still very much enjoyed by the readers.
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MORAL FIBRE
A Lancaster skipper, his crew
and the woman he loves.
by Helena P. Schrader PhD
The Fungus Among Us
Encourage children to explore
and connect to nature
Amazon
Sam & Me & the Hard Pear Tree
A personal account of
a mother’s ultimate loss
Amazon
KEEPERS OF THE ROCK
THE DEBILIS RISING-YA Fantasy
Seize the rock. Rule the world
Amazon
Rooted and Remembered
An orphaned boy wonders if
home is a place or a feeling.
Goodreads
Truth Was Once Taboo
New humanity, ancient
wisdom: spirituality reborn.
Amazon
SEA CHANGE
Gay romance and adventure
on a yacht at sea
Nick Bamford
Chronicles of MatiLou/PerryAnn
Through it all the girls work
to save Mother Earth.
Amazon
THE CURIST
Abby Steel hunts an evil
killer. Can he be caught?
Amazon
Sea Change by Nick Bamford
'A gay romance and adventure
on a yacht at sea'
nickbamford.com
The Shadow of the Volcano
A thrilling 'time travel'
adventure for 7 - 13 yr olds.
Amazon
A Misfortunate Misfit
Incredible true story of a
man saving his own life
Amazon
SOUL WALK
Unexpected Gifts of Grief and
Connection to Those in Spirit
Amazon
Finn's Funny Feelings
Helping children to manage
emotions in a healthy way
Amazon
BOBBIN AND THE MAGIC THIEF
A broken rule. A stolen
friend. A faerie rescue.
books2read
I Never Said I Love You
A story of travel, friendship,
forgiveness, & roads not taken
Amazon
Thar She Blows
Brian got swallowed by
a whale. Mom’ll be mad.
www.books2read.com
If Roses Were Blue
A stolen dog, lady of
light, 3 rescues—Inspiring!
Amazon
Your Words Your Love
A dazzling explosion
of beauty for your soul.
books2read
MUMMY TRUMPS
A rhyming flatulent book that
is fun for all of the family.
Amazon
Clouds on the Ground
Poems exploring natural beauty
and the realm of dreams
Amazon
Winkle and Aster
Urban fantasy that takes
imagination to its limits
books2read
Forever Boy
Isaac comes to realize his new
friend harbors dark secrets.
books2read
RAVEN'S GRAVE Charlotte Stuart
Betrayal and death in
an Alaskan Tlingit village.
Amazon
Smurgle The Windy Dragon
By Jane Clack, ill. by Lucy
Nicholson. A FUN PICTURE BOOK!
Amazon
HENRY
Inspiring WWII Nonfiction
survival account
Amazon
MERCY'S VIEW: BLACKOUT
Memoir - A runaway's reckless
re-entry into society
Amazon
BELIEVING IN HORSES
Ride away with the
Believing in Horses books!
Amazon
Soul Release
An epic fantasy action
adventure in a world of magic.
Amazon
Mirrors & Smoke: A War of 1812
'A smartly plotted, character
novel set in 1800s Canada' WSA
Amazon/Audible
DRAGONDAH (9 - 12 year olds)
Solving ancient mysteries and
outwitting scheming villains!
Amazon
THEY'RE ALL BARKING
Springer Spaniel's eye-opening
view of human behaviour
Amazon
Drop the Fake Smile
How to stop people-
pleasing in relationships
Amazon
Around the Globe
The Adventures of Squishy
and Boo, Book 3
Amazon
Hecatomb of the Vampire
5 horror tales link in book 1
of The Dark Rituals Saga
Amazon
Lead the Competition
Read 100 Livestreaming &
Digital Media Predictions.
Amazon
Growing up Hadley
A story to shatter your heart
then mend it anew.
danawritesbooks
THE TRALL SERIES
Middle-grade portal
fantasies set in Australia.
by Gayle Torrens
THE ART IN MY PALM
Queer coming-of-age tale
set in Cyprus & Australia.
by Luke Icarus Simon
DEAR JAMES
I know it's been 20 years, but
I needed to tell you I'm sorry
Amazon
INTO THE BLAZE
A new trilogy where fantasy,
myth, and reality entwine
Amazon
Bentley Makes a Dump Cake
A delightful, messy adventure
with joy, teamwork, & color
Miki Taylor
Little Puppy's Great Adventure
Adorable story. Great for
both parents as well as kids.
Amazon
The Pathology of Graphology
Two citizens of the lower
depths kill an aging DJ.
by David Milnes
LADY IN RED
Teen sleuths search for
a missing masterpiece.
Amazon
NEW TRAILS
One step changed his world.
One man changed his heart.
Amazon
The Boy from the Night Sky
Thrilling fantasy adventure
for all ages.
Amazon
Moonshine Mesa
Why are bees, crows, & humans
dying at Moonshine Mesa?
Amazon
Sammie and Pumpkin
An adopted dog learns
how to make new friends.
Amazon
Secrets of a Social Butterfly
How I unstuck my life
and you can too.
Lynn Bruines
Soar: A Soul's Quest
A young eagle on a quest of
self-discovery & enlightenment
Amazon
DREAMER OF DESTINY
Her dreams are calling to her.
Should she listen?
Barbara Woster
THE FISH TANK - short stories
NARRATIVES ABOUT LIFE, EXILE,
GHOSTS…AND MURDER.
books2read
A First Book of Microbiology
A fun learning journey
down the microscope lens.
Amazon
Terracolina-A Place to Belong
A fantasy to delight middle-
graders and nature lovers.
Amazon
Sammie and Pumpkin
An adopted dog learns
how to make new friends.
Amazon
THE SOCIETY
Elizabeth Grant Thriller-woman
embroiled in a conspiracy
Amazon
Angry Arthur
and The Run Around Trick
Learn to manage big feelings
Amazon
Lines in the Sand
Edgy and isolating. A perfect
memoir of loss and endurance.
F. Scott Service



















































































































































































































































































































































































































































