Finalists 2025
Below is a list of the 2025 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, 2026.
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
- Adult/Children's Poetry
- Short Story - Novelette
If you happen to be looking for a good read, the readers at The Wishing Shelf Awards thoroughly recommend the following:

The Adventures of Mrs. Crockess and Ivy: No Pockets? No Problem!
Author: Julia Kolouch
Illustrator: Petros Bouloubasis

A Kindness Story for Kids! Rane's Rescue The SPRiTELEES - Book One
Author: Marcia Stankard
Performed by: Kate Sample

A Wild Ride: The Adventures of Misty & Moxie Wyoming, Book 1
Author: Niki Danforth
Performed by: Erin Parker

Miss Pettigrew's Summer School for Exceptional Magical Children
Author: P.N. Garlick
Performed by: Denice Stradling

The Secret of the Magic eyePad: Putney Hicks Inventor Adventures, Book 1
Author: Marsha Tufft
Performed by: JoAnn Sheridan

Excuse Me: Dyslexic Inclusive (Life's Little Lessons From The Countryside Companions)
Author: Diane Hull
Cover Designer: Jeannie Duncanson
A Manner of Art by D. L. Gardner
A Sailor's Final Knot by Patricia McCandless
Any Younger by Chris Orland
Commanding the Cleanest Space Station by Jessica Kaye
Dustoff Down by Linda Naughton
Flashes of You by Lamar D. Vine
No Mead in Heaven? by Stephanie Shields
OH OH OH by Ken Deeprose
The Bird Lady of Novato by William C. Pollard, Jr
The Dreidel by Elisabeth Marrion
The Drowned Dockworker by Kevin Berry
The Horned Women by Christy Matheson
The King, Lady Killer and the Virgin by Mark Sheehan
The Last Tree by Nathaniel M Wrey
The Victorious Son of the Baggage King by Robbie Mahair
Warrior by Niki Danforth
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
THE TRALL SERIES
Middle-grade portal
fantasies set in Australia.
by Gayle Torrens
THE GRAVITY OF LIES
WHAT IF YOUR WHOLE LIFE
WAS BASED ON LIES?
Amazon
THE FOUNDLING
A foundling rises to
reclaim his stolen birthright
Amazon
Losing Austin
A gripping drama for teens
full of suspense & mystery
Amazon
SOUL WALK
Unexpected Gifts of Grief and
Connection to Those in Spirit
Amazon
101 Ways to Wow! Our World
Insights, ideas, & actions
to WOW your life now!
Amazon
Glitching Souls - Steve Kenney
Neil can read minds...
He can't turn them off.
Amazon
A Lion's Head
Myth brought to life.
A fantasy novel for YA.
by D.M. De Alwis
Playing Soldier
A savagely haunting true
journey of self-discovery.
F. Scott Service
Bentley's Fantabulous Idea
Embark on a whimsical colorful
journey filled with fun
MikiTaylor
THE MALLARD MELODRAMAS
A captivating series of
Victorian Mysteries
by RJ Williams
Soar: A Soul's Quest
A young eagle on a quest of
self-discovery & enlightenment
Amazon
The Gemini Connection
An intriguing thriller that
will keep you hooked.
Amazon
S.O.S. by Sue C Dugan
An exciting, time-travel
adventure for middle graders
Amazon
THEY'RE ALL BARKING
Discover how your lifestyle
and emotions affect your dog
Amazon
Half a Faerie
A disgraced rockstar falls for
a half-faerie single mom.
by Toni Cabell
The Pond of Reflection
A Fantasy Adventure - Teamwork
Friendship & Self-Discovery
Amazon
THE GREAT MOSQUITO HUNT
Hunting the world for
the causes of disease
Amazon
Moonshine Mesa
Why are bees, crows &
humans dying at the Mesa?
Amazon
Sammie and Pumpkin
An adopted dog learns
how to make new friends.
Amazon
Escape From Peconic Bay
A novel of love, impending
war, and espionage.
books2read
ANGELS
A YA LGBTQ+ emotional
rollercoaster.
'Perfect. 5 stars.'
MaryLou
"An engaging, well-crafted
family drama" TWSA
Amazon
The Boy from the Night Sky
Thrilling fantasy adventure
for all ages.
Amazon
WHINGEY WILLIAMS Term 1
Follow Whingey on her FIRST
adventure on Gower
Amazon
WELCOME TO OPINE
Homo Sapiens 2.0: Will genetic
blessing be their undoing?
Amazon
The Other Lotus Girl
He was buying tea.
She was running for her life.
danielariddle.com
Millie’s Magic
The little mouse
with a big heart.
Amazon
THOSE DARN STRIPES
A genuine read opening the
doors on love, life, & meaning
Amazon
From The Back of a Donkey
Multi-award winning. A
captivating look at Christmas.
by Nancy Elaine Hartman Minor
Then We'll Say Goodnight
How would you get your
unruly puppies back to bed?
Amazon
The Graffiti Killer
A mind unhinged on
the fulcrum of our age.
by David Milnes
Rooted and Remembered
An orphaned boy wonders if
home is a place or a feeling.
Goodreads
Fenix and the Firework Fliers
Can Fenix save the Fireworks
when a firefly gets sick?
creativemovementstories.com
Rider of the Wind
An exultant celebration
of the magic of music
Amazon
Prescription for Frozen Heart
Pride & Prejudice meets
Grey's Anatomy - medical rom.
by Jo-Anne Duffett
A Rage To Live
A true boys' coming of age
story set during the Holocaust
Amazon
CALM POND
TOP 10 BOOK - 9 short stories
for 5 - 9 year olds
Amazon
Sea Change by Nick Bamford
'A gay romance and adventure
on a yacht at sea'
nickbamford.com
Terracolina-A Place to Belong
A fantasy to delight middle-
graders and nature lovers.
Amazon
A Good Day and Other...
A wide-ranging collection
of imaginative, funny stories.
Amazon
The Shadow and the Scream
Stranger Things meets
Alice in Wonderland.
Amazon
SOUL WALK
Unexpected Gifts of Grief and
Connection to Those in Spirit
Amazon
Angry Arthur
and The Run Around Trick
Learn to manage big feelings
Amazon
WHINGEY WILLIAMS Term 1
Follow Whingey on her FIRST
adventure on Gower
Amazon
The Mystery of the Lost Avenge
Multilevel story/ghost/romance
forensics/WWII/espionage
Linda Maria Frank
Plea to a Frozen God
A desperate trio appeals
to the God of Death.
Amazon
CHARCOAL BOY
Tudor London, boy, entangled
in politics, wins through
Amazon
GOING UNDER THE RADAR
Honest, insightful, battling
autism/mental health - TWSA
Amazon
There's a Duck in the House
TWSA FINALIST 2023
Large Format with Large Text
Amazon
Arni's Adventures
Pet dinosaur, bear, cat story
for the young reader.
Ashok
OUT OF TIME
Love at 78? Life has a
time limit. Love doesn't.
M. Jacqueline Murray
LIVING AT THE EDGE OF THE
WORLD Swap Wi-Fi for Wildlife
Shetland Adventure 9-12
WINTER, Book 1
The Faces She Sees
A thrilling mind-freak of a
mystery - Kirkus Review
by Elizabeth Scozzari
The Book of Jack
Candid and inspiring story of
coming to terms with suicide.
F. Scott Service
Escape From Peconic Bay
A fast-paced, historical novel
set during the run up to WW2
books2read
ARNI'S ADVENTURES
8 charming, silly, comic
stories to laugh at & enjoy.
Amazon
Tales Beyond Midnight
Dark, twisty and gripping.
You'll never stop at one.
by Kim Gravell
Sammie and Pumpkin
An adopted dog learns
how to make new friends.
Amazon













































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































