
Finalists 2023
Below is a list of the 2023 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, 2024.
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:
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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IT'S OKAY NOT TO BE FABULOUS
A guide to finding self-love
and achieving your destiny💙
Amazon
Dislodged
“An LGBTQ+ thriller and a
tale for the working class…â€
Amazon
My Solo Wedding in Santorini
A true story. Honest,
thought-provoking & funny .
blogaboutl
WHEN JESUS CALLS
A Story of Undeniable Faith.
TWSA 2023 FINALIST
marthagayle
The Shadow and the Scream
Stranger Things meets
Alice in Wonderland.
Amazon
THE COIN
CAN FINDING A COIN
GET YOU KILLED?
books2read
Look 'N Up Invasion
Celebrate diversity by
imagining a world without it.
looknup.us
The Toad from Outer Space
A cautionary tale about a
toad-ily historic space flight
www.childrensfunnybooks.co.uk
Pumpkin King Saves Christmas
How Santa became jolly with
the help of the Pumpkin King.
Amazon
The Great Migration
Survive valley. Stop outbreak.
Or watch the kingdom burn.
Amazon
The Third Estate
WHEN THE TRUTH SURFACES
AND THE LIES are REVEALED
Amazon
Chronicles of MatiLou/PerryAnn
Through it all the girls work
to save Mother Earth.
Amazon
LoveVortex ... Drakor's Curse
A voyage into the unknown -
and a terrible curse.
Amazon
Hanna’s Ascent
A lyrical story of transgender
history and triumph
www.bedazzledink.com
NEW TRAILS
One step changed his world.
One man changed his heart.
Amazon
DEAR JAMES
I know it's been 20 years, but
I needed to tell you I'm sorry
Amazon
The Accidental Boyfriend
Slightly steamy, fake dating,
celebrity young adult romcom
lorifreeland
Church of the Assassin
A brutal purge. A reason
to live. A reason to kill.
Amazon
The Mystery of the Lost Avenge
Multilevel story/ghost/romance
forensics/WWII/espionage
Linda Maria Frank
Adventures of Beryl and Carol
Award winning, clean teen
adventure for all ages.
berylandcarol
Bentley's Fantabulous Idea
Embark on a whimsical colorful
journey filled with fun
MikiTaylor
My Year at the Good Bean Café
Weird and inexplicable events
and their effect on our lives
Amazon
Samurai's Gift Among Forest
A grieving child's journey
to healing her spirit.
books2read
Epistolary
Mandy writes about her
life until tragedy strikes.
Amazon
Sea Change by Nick Bamford
'A gay romance and adventure
on a yacht at sea'
nickbamford.com
THE DARK PLACES NOVELS
Paranormal thrillers to
get your pulse racing
kimgravell.com
Rainbow Bridge
Ever wondered where your
dog ends up after this life?
Amazon
THE IMPROBABLE WONDERS OF
MOOJIE LITTLEMAN "Visionary,
magical, rich" -MC WEEKLY
Amazon
The Long Road to Namai
Adventures of a daughter of
Earth on a planet of psychics
Amazon
Escape From Peconic Bay
A fast-paced, historical novel
set during the run up to WW2
books2read
Me Here Without You Now
A love story AFTER
the love story
Amazon/Apple
Jack's 1st Birthday Adventure
Journey to Jingle Jangle:
A fun story with activities!
Amazon
Sam & Me & the Hard Pear Tree
A personal account of
a mother’s ultimate loss
Amazon
The Lost Heir Book 1 and 2
Mash Princess Bride
+ dash of GOT
Amazon
Momma Llama World
Free coloring sheets,
animated stories & more.
Meet Momma Llama
Marco & Me
Stories & photos of the
adventures of a real dog
Amazon
Destiny Lives on Fairhaven St.
A father's true story to his
sons. Winner of 17 awards.
Amazon
SIN EATER
A girl with the power to
erase ANY bad memory!
Amazon
A Vampire's Tooth Fairy Chase
A vampire with flat teeth
searches for the Tooth Fairy.
Amazon
Book Love
YOUNG READERS become
WORLD LEADERS
Lorilyn Roberts
The Last Professional
A hobo, a wanderer, a madman-
their lives are on the line!
www.eddavisbooks.com
Around the Globe
The Adventures of Squishy
and Boo, Book 3
Amazon
The Halloween Candy MONSTER
Jimmy teaches the Halloween
candy monster a lesson
Amazon
Connecting Threads
A graphic memoir of
resilience and hope
Amazon
MEMOIR OF A MANGLED MIND
Three minds. One body.
And nobody is safe.
Amazon
Soul Release
An epic fantasy action
adventure in a world of magic.
Amazon
Monty and the Monster
Heartwarming adventure
of an unlikely friendship
Amazon
The Power of...
kindness, gratitude,
empathy & positivity
Amazon
Fenix and the Firework Fliers
Can Fenix save the Fireworks
when a firefly gets sick?
creativemovementstories.com
Wild Asses of Mojave Desert
“Funny & tender, moving &
poetic" Recommended US Review
books2read.com
MaryLou
"An engaging, well-crafted
family drama" TWSA
Amazon
Me and My Shadow
Honest reflection how cancer
took a boy to death’s door.
Amazon
CLOUDY WITH CHANCE OF ANSWERS
"Crazy family. Endless cold
case. Then there's a clue!"
Amazon
THE UNBROKEN
Love and adventure in
the strange worlds of mind.
Nigel Peace
CATNIP
Cosy mystery with catnapping,
murder and a dash of romance.
Amazon
Gigglet Goes to School
Get your giggle on with
Gigglet. Perfect for 0 - 6 yrs
AMB Kids Books
Lead the Competition
Read 100 Livestreaming &
Digital Media Predictions.
Amazon
The Nephilem
A Sun-soaked setting
with a difference.
www.exquil.com
Just Janey's Way
Janey wants EVERYTHING her way
Is Janey a STUBBORN BULLY?
Amazon