Danilo Was Here, Tamika Burgess
Danilo Was Here, Tamika Burgess
List: $23.99 | Sale: $16.79
Club: $11.99

Danilo Was Here

Author: Tamika Burgess

Narrator: Timothy Andrés Pabon

Unabridged: 7 hr 16 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperCollins

Published: 01/21/2025


Synopsis

2026-2027 Texas Bluebonnet Award List
2026 Pedro and Daniel Intersectionality Book Award Longlist
Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2025
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard SelectionFrom the acclaimed author of Sincerely Sicily, Tamika Burgess, comes a timely coming-of-age story about a young boy’s fight to save his family and his dreams in the aftermath of the US military invasion of Panamá. Perfect for fans of Janae Marks, Adrianna Cuevas, and Chrystal D. Giles!Danilo Osorio Jr.’s baseball skills were once the pride of his father and entire hometown of El Chorrillo, Panamá. But that was then, and this is now…Following 1989's Operation Just Cause, a US military invasion that left his neighborhood decimated, Danilo couldn’t care less about baseball or the father who abandoned him for opportunities in the States. Now Danilo’s focus is taking care of his mamá and sister and trying to save them all from needing to relocate to a refugee camp.When Danilo unintentionally catches the eye of a baseball recruiter and is offered the opportunity to visit and train in California—the same place as his father’s last known address—he is tasked with deciding to go or stay. But if playing baseball could help him find his father and secure the extra funds his family needs, Danilo is willing to travel anywhere, even to the very country responsible for destroying his home.Between his tough-as-nails baseball coach, ultracompetitive teammates, and overly enthusiastic host family, Danilo’s plans encounter some curveballs. And when his turn to bat finally comes, he’ll have to decide what and who he’s actually fighting for.

About Tamika Burgess

Tamika Burgess is a storyteller with over a decade of novel, TV/film, and personal essay writing experience. Born to parents who migrated from Panamá, Tamika has always taken a particular interest in writing themes that explore her Black Latina identity. Because of her passion for spreading the knowledge of Black Panamanian culture, Tamika has been featured on various websites, podcasts, and panels. When she is not writing, Tamika is somewhere cozy online shopping and listening to a podcast. Tamika resides in sunny Southern California.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Erin

I was totally swept up in Tamika Burgess’s gripping story and read it all in one day. This book is so good - after the US military invasion of Panama in 1989, Danilo is desperately trying to hold himself and his family together while dealing with PTSD and his pro-baseball dreams. I highly recommend!......more

Goodreads review by Sydney

This important and impactful story grabbed me from the first page. Danilo is a likable, compelling protagonist who lives in Panamá and has survived a US military invasion that destroyed his neighborhood. His father left for California years ago, and what Danilo cares about most is protecting his mot......more

Goodreads review by Laura

Danilo Was Here, author Tamika Burgess' second middle grade novel, is a compelling, coming-of-age, page turner set in 1990 Panama where young Danilo, a star baseball player, lives with his hard-working mom and younger sister. After their neighborhood is destroyed by a US military invasion that ouste......more

Goodreads review by Erica

4.5......more