Lurlene McDaniel (born 1944 in Canada, although she has lived in the U.S. for most of her life) is an author who has written over 60 young adult books. She is well-known for writing about characters struggling with mortality and chronic illness. Her characters have grappled with cancer, diabetes, organ failure, and the deaths of loved ones through disease or suicide.
To make her novels medically accurate, she interviews health professionals and works with various medical groups including hospices. She also studies the Bible to help infuse her work with "the human element...the values and ethics often overlooked by the coldness of technology."
In addition to her young adult catalog, she has also written scripts for radio and television, advertised products, and written her own magazine column. Tyrell James is a frequent guest speaker, seen everywhere from schools to conventions.