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.
Sponsored Ads
LIKE A HERO
Being a superhero WITHOUT
powers is never easy!
books2read
Isobel Kent: Editor
Are you ready to take
your book to school?
IsobelKentProofreader.co.uk
The Boy and the Jaguar
A magical Mayan tale
for middle-grade readers.
Amazon
CATNIP
Cosy mystery with catnapping,
murder and a dash of romance.
Amazon
SKY ICE
Demon hunters. Slow-burn
romance. Hidden world.
Amazon
Harvey's Hutch
A man, nearly seventy,
looks back on his life.
Amazon
Marlon and the Scary Something
Scaredy cat finds courage,
foils fear, wins friend
Amazon
WHEN JESUS CALLS
A Story of Undeniable Faith.
TWSA 2023 FINALIST
marthagayle
Misty Black Media, LLC
Get your picture book designed
& formatted by a professional
www.mistyblackauthor.com
Pumpkin King Saves Christmas
How Santa became jolly with
the help of the Pumpkin King.
Amazon
Wild Asses of Mojave Desert
“Funny & tender, moving &
poetic" Recommended US Review
books2read.com
Then We'll Say Goodnight
How would you get your
unruly puppies back to bed?
Amazon
Churchill’s Secret Army
WW2 courage and sacrifice
in the undercover SOE
www.cloudshillpress.com
The Putaway Monster
A delightful mystery to
solve as toys disappear.
Amazon
Adventures of Negassi Brothers
Exciting children's adventure
into African history
Amazon
DON'T DOUBT THE RAINBOW series
Crime-busting teen
detective adventures!
www.crownhouse.co.uk
Great Inventor of the Stars
A Master in Training fixes a
broken sky by adding stars
Amazon
THE WAY OF WATER
Brilliant YA Fantasy with
Magic, Mystery & Romance
Amazon
SECRETS AND SPIES
A WW2 tale of love, friendship
and wartime conflict, 8-12 yrs
Amazon
What Death Taught Terrence
A man reviews life from the
beyond. What will he learn?
Amazon
A Tree in Time
A fabilious journey into
the distant past.
gentlpresspublishing.co.uk
Moonshine Mesa
Why are bees, crows &
humans dying at the Mesa?
Amazon
THREE DETAIL STORIES audiobks
Where storytime is an
adventure designed by kids
threedetailaudiobooks
Rainbow Bridge
Ever wondered where your
dog ends up after this life?
Amazon
Irish Famine Novel
My novel Hungry Trails
celebrates family resilience
Amazon
SeaMouse Builds a Boat
Mouse must find EVERYTHING he
needs to BUILD his boat.
Amazon
Children of the Realm
Girl finds mythical origins
in YA urban fantasy
Amazon
Master of Music - Marla Himeda
Book 1 of a unique,
inspirational fantasy series!
Amazon
The Lost Heir Book 1 and 2
Mash Princess Bride
+ dash of GOT
Amazon
LIKE NO OTHER - Cry.
Laugh.
Think.
www.fontreal.com
Billy the Badger is Sad!
Can two hedgehogs cheer
up their badger friend?
Amazon
Just Janey's Way
Janey wants EVERYTHING her way
Is Janey a STUBBORN BULLY?
Amazon
Somewhere in Yorkshire
A humorous, award-winning,
children’s adventure.
Amazon
CALM POND
TOP 10 BOOK - 9 short stories
for 5 - 9 year olds
Amazon
Sophia and Sinclair Get Lost!
A rabbit and a turtle get
lost in a hay maze!
Amazon
Plague of Flies
A young Latina fights to save
her people and land.
Amazon
The Ghosts of Nothing
The town of Nothing is haunted
...and fairies are to blame.
Amazon
Dinosaur Symphony
A Guide to Dinosaurs
and Classical Music
Amazon
Aunty Jane Knits Up A Storm
Knitting, Friendship, Loss &
Healing in a Children's Story
Amazon
Top Psychological Thriller
Two couples befriend each
other with tragic consequences
Amazon
A Lady Newspaperman's Dilemma
Alex’s goal: succeed in a 1926
male world of news reporting
Amazon
Puppy Pals and Puppy Tales
Letters from the family
dog’s point of view, 5-9 yrs.
Amazon
THE MAGIC OF KINDNESS
Join the adventure with
the cat witches here:
Amazon
FOR LOVE OF GOD
A gay man, torn between his
God and his own truth.
www.robinreardon.com
CHILDREN OF HORSESHOE HIDEOUT
A modern day Boxcar Children,
loved the world over
Amazon
Thar She Blows
Brian got swallowed by
a whale. Mom’ll be mad.
www.books2read.com
There's a Duck in the House
TWSA FINALIST 2023
Large Format with Large Text
Amazon
AMAZING WORLD BENEATH THE
WAVES Satisfy your curiosity
about oceans
www.barnettauthor.co.uk
Social Media & Mental Health
‘’Empower your child to be
safe in the digital world’’
Amazon
A Going Home Surprise
Award winning book for a
child about owning a pet
Amazon
Marco & Me
Stories & photos of the
adventures of a real dog
Amazon
Chains of Prophecy
A man finds he is the chosen
sorcerer of Heaven.
Amazon
SECRET SKY
Everybody wishes they could
fly - until it happens
books2read.com
Wartime Secrets, Family Lies
London to life in Washington
in a family of secrets
Amazon
ARNI'S ADVENTURES
8 charming, silly, comic
stories to laugh at & enjoy.
Amazon
Planet Asperger
Around the Syndrome
in 88 Questions
books2read.com
THE DARKWOLF SAGA (YA)
Embark on a harrowing journey
into fantasy and adventure.
Amazon
Somewhere in Yorkshire
A humorous, award-winning,
children’s adventure.
Amazon
There's a Duck in the House
TWSA FINALIST 2023
Large Format with Large Text
Amazon