Finalists 2024
Below is a list of the 2024 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, 2025.
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.

Red Ribbon
'They're All Barking,' A Dog's Guide to Human Behaviour
Author: Professor Daniel Springer-Spaniel

Red Ribbon
Sweet Peas and Bees: Life at the Flower Farm
Author: Mary Murphy
Illustrator: Fiona Van Housen

Red Ribbon
Wanderer's Journey: A Refugee's Search for a Home in the Beautiful Game Author
Author: Vedran Dedic
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POLE TO POLE (Book 4)
A fast-paced MG graphic
novel on climate change
The Adventures of Captain Polo
The Pond of Reflection
A Fantasy Adventure - Teamwork
Friendship & Self-Discovery
Amazon
WHINGEY WILLIAMS Term 1
Follow Whingey on her FIRST
adventure on Gower
Amazon
TAILS
A magical story children will
love; and probably adults too.
by WJ Scott
The Faces She Sees
A thrilling mind-freak of a
mystery - Kirkus Review
by Elizabeth Scozzari
Jack's 1st Birthday Adventure
Journey to Jingle Jangle:
A fun story with activities!
Amazon
Your Perfect Freelancer HERE!
Illustrators, Writers, Blurbs,
Editors, Layout Designs
Metaworx
SOUTH KOREA
A nuanced & engaging analysis
of Korea's rise to prominence.
Amazon
Mother To Elephants
A Beautiful Tale of
Care and Compassion
Amazon
Half a Faerie
A disgraced rockstar falls for
a half-faerie single mom.
by Toni Cabell
Tally and the Angel
Unstoppable middle-grade
adventures around the world!
by Eleanor Dixon
The Great Migration
Survive valley. Stop outbreak.
Or watch the kingdom burn.
Amazon
Your Words Your Love
A dazzling explosion
of beauty for your soul.
books2read
OUT OF TIME
Love at 78? Life has a
time limit. Love doesn't.
M. Jacqueline Murray
The War Ongoing: Knightfall
Knights embark on adventure
where sci-fi & fantasy collide
Amazon
Shadow Apprentice
Fast-paced MG steampunk
with an intrepid girl mechanic
by Linda Browne
HENRY
Inspiring WWII Nonfiction
survival account
Amazon
Rider of the Wind
An exultant celebration
of the magic of music
Amazon
Hecatomb of the Vampire
5 horror tales link in book 1
of The Dark Rituals Saga
Amazon
The Book Witch
A thrilling, fast paced
fantasy book for MGs
Amazon
JUST RIVER
Hilarious and grave.
A story of resilience.
Amazon
VR,AR &AI in Special Education
Tech transforming special ed:
benefits, risks & apps
Amazon
CAME A GENTLE WHISPER
A bittersweet, richly
layered historical romance.
by Rebecca A. Cathey
Wartime Secrets, Family Lies
London to life in Washington
in a family of secrets
Amazon
The Crooked Ladder
It's time to climb...
or die
Amazon
RAVEN'S GRAVE Charlotte Stuart
Betrayal and death in
an Alaskan Tlingit village.
Amazon
MERCY'S VIEW: BLACKOUT
Memoir - A runaway's reckless
re-entry into society
Amazon
The Broken Wife
A gripping tale of love,
loss, and BETRAYAL.
Amazon
MILLIE'S RAINBOW
Beautiful picture book.
Kindness and rainbows.
by Hilary Hawkes
MINIMUM SAFE DISTANCE (2022)
NOT pro-US Sci-Fi
weltweite, profond, prisbelönt
by X. Ho Yen
POLO IN BRAZIL (BOOK 5)
A fast-paced MG graphic
novel exploring climate action
The Adventures of Captain Polo
THE FOUNDLING
A foundling rises to
reclaim his stolen birthright
Amazon
Arctic Dinosaurs
Her first Arctic year -
middle grade - free activities
Fathom Publishing
The Day After His Crucifixion
Jesus' women followers
finally tell their stories
by Merikay McLeod
GOING UNDER THE RADAR
Honest, insightful, battling
autism/mental health - TWSA
Amazon
SOUL WALK
Unexpected Gifts of Grief and
Connection to Those in Spirit
Amazon
Glitching Souls - Steve Kenney
Neil can read minds...
He can't turn them off.
Amazon
Escape From Peconic Bay
A fast-paced, historical novel
set during the run up to WW2
books2read
Touch of the Whimsy
Witty fantasy, this Castaway
romance is an enigma!
Amazon
Little Puppy's Great Adventure
Adorable story. Great for
both parents as well as kids.
Amazon
THE TIFFIN
Lost tiffin. Note gone astray.
A boy's search for family.
Amazon
Bentley's Fantabulous Idea
Embark on a whimsical colorful
journey filled with fun
MikiTaylor
Growing up Hadley
A story to shatter your heart
then mend it anew.
danawritesbooks
“Hatch Chile Willie”
offers children a heartwarming
tale of friendship
Amazon
THEY'RE ALL BARKING
Discover how your lifestyle
and emotions affect your dog
Amazon
DRAGONDAH (9 - 12 year olds)
Solving ancient mysteries and
outwitting scheming villains!
Amazon
THE DARKWOLF SAGA (YA)
Embark on a harrowing journey
into fantasy and adventure.
Amazon
CHARCOAL BOY
Tudor London, boy, entangled
in politics, wins through
Amazon
The Graffiti Killer
A mind unhinged on
the fulcrum of our age.
by David Milnes
The Third Estate
WHEN THE TRUTH SURFACES
AND THE LIES are REVEALED
Amazon
AT RECEPTION
Will Sally fall for the charms
of a guest? ADULT FICTION
by Galahad Porter
Story and Structure
A book on story: 'beats Joseph
Campbell at his own game.'
Amazon
THE FISH TANK - short stories
NARRATIVES ABOUT LIFE, EXILE,
GHOSTS…AND MURDER.
books2read
THE SOCIETY
Elizabeth Grant Thriller-woman
embroiled in a conspiracy
Amazon
The Madigan Chronicles
Witchy - Spellbinding - Addict
Urban Fantasy
by Marieke Lexmond
Happisad Memories
Where magic meets grief.
A page-turning novel.
by M.P.B. Clairette
A Misfortunate Misfit
Incredible true story of a
man saving his own life
Amazon
The Coach Trip
A light- hearted,
mid-life, comedy romance.
by Morag Clarke
One Year, One Night, 2nd Ed.
A beautiful story set in an
English village during WWII.
Amazon








































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































