Once a year, classes 7X1 and 7Y1 read the Brilliant Book Award (BBA) shortlist as part of their English library lesson.  There are six books in all and after reading them, pupils from all over Nottingham vote for their favourite. The winning author is then awarded the BBA Author of the Year award at a ceremony in May/June, all votes are from school pupils.

As part of this, eight schools met the author Tom Palmer, Chilwell represented by twenty-two pupils.  Tom has been writing published books for twenty years, his first book was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award 2009. He talked a little about his book and then answered questions from pupils, afterwards he talked to the pupils whilst he signed their books.  

Tom explained to us how he gets his inspiration from actual people and objects, he also explained that before writing his books he likes to travel and do a lot of research about the topics so that he gets all the correct information. Tom mentioned that "Armistice Runner" was his favourite book because he has won a lot of prizes from it and has not won nearly as many rewards from all of his other books combined. He was really polite when he was answering our questions and signing our books.