This is an original illustration for the cover of the book “Somewhere Between Life and Death” by the American author Lurlene McDaniel. This edition was published by Bantam Books in 1991. McDaniel (b. 1944) has written more than 70 books. She is well known for writing about young adults struggling with mortality and chronic illness. Her career began as a form of therapy when her son, then 3, was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. “Somewhere Between Life and Death” is the first in a series of books by McDaniel featuring the fictional character Erin Bennett. In this story, Erin and her sister Amy are preparing for their high-school drama group’s cast party. Amy takes the car to get more food and has a terrible accident. As Amy lies in hospital, Erin and her parents must accept that the life-support system will never bring the girl back. When she dies, the family struggles to give some meaning to Amy’s death.

Ben F. Stahl (b. 1932) was born in Chicago, Illinois. He is the eldest son of American illustrator Ben A. Stahl (1910-1987). Ben F. Stahl grew up with illustration, but never took a formal art training. Nevertheless, he is an excellent teacher. For various periods between 1955 and 1970, he taught at the Famous Artists Schools, Bridgeport University, and at the Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida. Since the 1970s, Stahl has dedicated himself to his illustration career. He is particularly well known for his illustrations of young people. His art has been commissioned by most of the major publishers, including Houghton, Mifflin; Little, Brown; Putnam, Coward, McCann and Geoghegan; Random House; Scribner's; The Franklin Library; Limited Editions Book Club; Bantam Books; Reader's Digest; Warner Publishing; and Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Presently, he lives in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Source: The Illustrator in American 1880-1980