Young Samurai :The Way of the Warrior

About Chris Bradford

Chris Bradford's best-selling books are published in over 25 languages and have garnered more than 30 children’s book award nominations, winning the Northern Ireland Book Award 2011, Hampshire Book Award 2014 and the Brilliant Book Award 2014. Young Samurai: The Way of the Warrior was deemed one of Puffin’s 70 Best Ever Books, alongside Treasure Island and Robin Hood.

Before becoming a full-time author, he was a professional musician (who once performed for HRH Queen Elizabeth II), a songwriter and music teacher. He has written five non-fiction books on music, including the critically acclaimed Heart & Soul (Sanctuary, 2005).

Chris Bradford lives an action packed life and is a self-confessed adrenaline junkie. He’s thrown himself over Victoria Falls on a bungee cord, out of an airplane in New Zealand and off a French mountain on a paraglider, but he’s always managed to land safely – something he learnt from his martial arts training.

Chris joined a judo club aged seven and since then he has trained in karate, kickboxing, samurai swordsmanship and has earned his black belt in Tai-jutsu, the fighting art of the ninja. Chris is a student of Sensei Akemi Solloway, who is the eldest daughter of an old samurai family, descended from the Karo of Iwatsuki Castle, near Tokyo.

Before writing the Young Samurai series, Chris was a professional musician and songwriter. He’s even performed for HRH Queen Elizabeth II (but suspects she found his band a bit noisy). Chris lives on the South Downs, England with his two sons.