Ben Burgess, Jr. is the author of the award-winning novels Monster, Wounded, Love and Happiness, Daddy's Girl, and Black and White. He is an active performer of spoken word poetry. Ben uses his love of writing to inspire and influence youths to strive for what they believe in and to never give up on their dreams. His novels Monster and Wounded are currently used in schools on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Ben has a BA degree in business management and an MA degree in educational leadership. He is the proud father of Jaelynn and Jaclyn, and he is active in trying to improve urban neighborhoods and communities.