Danilo Was Here - by Tamika Burgess (Paperback)

Book 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 Selection

From 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.

Review Quotes

"Burgess crafts a compelling narrative. Emotive text tackles enduring themes surrounding prejudice while accessibly highlighting the protagonist's struggles with his mental health." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"The story has heart and hope shines through. Highly engaging and set during events that may be unfamiliar to most readers, this is a poignant tale of resilience, family, and self-discovery."

"Will have all readers turning pages." - Varsha Bajaj, New York Times bestselling author of Thirst

"Heartfelt and beautifully told. Burgess explores a tragic moment in Panamanian history with compassion, authenticity, and hope. Readers will root for Danilo during his losses and celebrate with him during his victories." - Chrystal D. Giles, author of Not an Easy Win

"Burgess knocks it out of the park with this story of a boy searching for family and home. A home run tale of resilience." - Adrianna Cuevas, Pura Belpre Honor-wining and the Edgar Award-winning author

"Sincere and immersive, it asks us to question our dreams and figure out what it is we truly want. I will be thinking about Danilo's story for a long, long time." - Andrea Beatriz Arango, Newberry Honor award winning author of Iveliz Explains It All

"A triumph! Readers everywhere will cheer for Danilo as he overcomes life's trials in an unexpected, yet ultimately satisfying way." - Waka T. Brown, award-winning author of Dream, Annie, Dream

"Burgess skillfully covers a lot of ground in her representation of events that are seldom discussed in U.S. history books but that devastated Panamá and its people. Danilo's journey is fast paced, heartfelt, and heartbreaking. A compelling book that's here to stay." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Burgess has created a sympathetic character in Danilo, a kind, hardworking boy who suffers from PTSD and copes with microaggressions and stereotyping in the U.S." - Horn Book Magazine

"This coming-of-age story highlights the Black Panamanian experience while touching upon an important but often glossed-over moment in history." - Booklist