Bolus Blues

by Brendan McEachern

Bolus Blues tells the story of ZANDER BURKE and his momentous summer just before entering middle school. Zander is a Type 1 adolescent with diabetes. He is excited to spend his summer consumed by online games until his single mom tells him they are almost bankrupt. Zander secretly concocts a plan to make some money and not be destitute.
Zander sneaks out of his summer day camp to start a series of unsuccessful jobs. Due to an early growth spirt, Zander takes advantage of this perceived maturity and works in a comic book store, an upscale consignment shop, and an ice cream stand. After Zander is involved in an underage driving accident, his childhood friend, SQUIRREL JONES, joins him to make drastic adjustments to this money making plan.

155 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2019

About the author

Brendan McEachern is a sixth-grade language arts teacher in Cincinnati, Ohio. He shifted from the entertainment industry to education and has been teaching in the middle-school setting for almost 15 years. He oversees a middle school literary magazine and the Power of the Pen writing program. He brings his lifelong love of reading and collecting comic books into his writing. McEachern's first young-adult novel dealing with diabetes, delinquency, and the undead is Bolus Blues.

Check out McEachern's family connection to diabetes

https://www.healthline.com/diabetesmi...

Reviews

[Mary Mcloughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Bolus Blues by Brendan McEachern. Was I in for a good read! The story is about a young boy’s journey navigating the wide world of diabetes. I have limited knowledge of how diabetes affects you. This book was well written.
The author educated me on what is diabetes and how you must alter your life to maximize your success in maintaining a steady blood sugar level.
The main character Zander was likeable and engaging. The setting for this story is where I live.
The zombie tie in kept my interest and made what could have been a dry book enjoyable.
I am very impressed that this is Mr McEachern’s first published book. I hope his second book comes out soon!

[Rosie Sansalone · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his riveting book, Bolus Blues, McEachern expertly captures the middle school voice through the main character, Zander, as he faces this tumultuous developmental stage. The antics of Zander and his friend Squirrel not only keep the reader entertained while learning a bit about the setting of Salem, Massachusetts, but also illuminate the challenges Zander faces as he manages his diabetes and works to help his single mother make ends meet. With each new plot twist, I found myself turning back to the front of the book to find a corresponding image represented in the cover art. Bolus Blues is an engaging, enlightening, and entertaining read.

[Amelia Storck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bolus Blues is a heartfelt, humorous, and deeply empathetic coming of age story that captures the challenges and resilience of a young adolescent navigating both personal responsibility and the unpredictability of life. Brendan McEachern crafts a narrative that is at once funny, poignant, and relatable, offering readers a window into the life of Zander Burke a Type 1 diabetic facing the dual pressures of growing up and supporting his struggling single mother.

Zander is a compelling protagonist: clever, resourceful, and imperfectly human. His ambitious summer money-making schemes, from working in a comic book store to navigating an ice cream stand, are infused with charm and tension, highlighting the trials and triumphs of adolescence. The addition of his loyal friend, Squirrel Jones, adds warmth, humor, and camaraderie to the story. McEachern balances lighthearted adventures with the real stakes of Zander’s medical condition and family struggles, creating an engaging and emotionally resonant read for middle-grade audiences.

Bolus Blues will resonate strongly with readers seeking character-driven stories about resilience, friendship, and the quirky adventures of growing up. It’s a memorable and relatable tale that blends humor, heart, and the complexities of adolescence into a summer that readers will not soon forget.

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time author, Brendan McEachern, makes learning about Type 1 Diabetes a fun experience. This is a wonderful read for engaging the YA reader. The characters are believable and very entertaining and learning about Salem, Massachusetts is a bonus. My book club, The 3 L's, (Ladies Literary League), just finished their monthly meeting discussing "Bolus Blues" with author, Brendan McEachern. Learning how this book was brought from an idea to the page to being published was very enlightening. This book is a fun way for people of all ages to learn what it's like to live with Diabetes.

[Evelyn Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bolus Blues by Brendan McEachern follows Zander Burke, a Type 1 diabetic on the brink of middle school, as he navigates a summer filled with unexpected challenges. When his single mother reveals the family is nearly bankrupt, Zander tries to secretly earn money through a series of misadventures—from working at a comic book store to an ice cream stand. With the help of his friend Squirrel Jones, he faces the consequences of his risky choices and learns about responsibility, friendship, and growing up.