Author visit: Chris Bradford crashes into King’s!

When we have to provide a crash mat for an author talk, we know it’s not going to be an average visit!

Chris Bradford is author of the incredibly popular Young Samurai and Bodyguard series of books, as well as S.P.E.A.R which won our Removes and Shells Book Award in 2019/20.

We were delighted to welcome him to King’s today for our first (non-virtual) author visit since March 2020. 

Chris was kept busy over lunch as students from all year groups queued up to get their favourite books signed by him (and buy new ones) but it was his talk for Shells and Thirds that really got everyone talking!

As a self-proclaimed method writer, Chris immerses himself in his characters’ worlds. Today’s talk was focused on his Bodyguard series of books for which Chris embarked on an intensive close protection course and became a qualified professional bodyguard.

The talk began with Librarian Mrs Harding being rescued from a (fictional) attacker before Chris went on to give pupils a fascinating insight into the skills needed to be a successful bodyguard, with some even helping Chris to demonstrate these!

Mrs Harding was very pleased with the reception that Chris got, and not at all surprised by the long queue to meet the author and get their books signed after the event. 

She said: “The pupils have responded so positively to today’s event which just proves how valuable it is to have in-person author visits back on the calendar. With Chris’ visit today, I feel like they are back with a bang!”

Many thanks to Chris for a fascinating talk, and for his time as he signed many books and answered pupils’ questions today. 

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