Danilo Was Here

by Tamika Burgess

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.

Genres: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Sports, Latinx, Audiobook, Historical, Childrens

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 21, 2025

About the author

Tamika Burgess is a storyteller with over a decade of novel, TV/film, and personal essay writing.

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 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, sipping lemon ginger tea and reading, or listening to a podcast.

Tamika resides in sunny Southern California and is currently working on her second novel with HarperCollins, scheduled for Winter 2024.

Reviews

[Andrea Beatriz Arango]

Loved this one so much I blurbed it! Put it on your radar - it comes out January 2025!

[Ann Haefele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story really tugged at my heart strings. Story takes place in both Panama (shortly after the US invasion in December 1989) and the United States.
Danilo gets an opportunity to leave his war torn Panama hometown and go to California for several months to train for baseball. While in the U.S., Danilo learns more about himself that will enable him to move forward in life once back in Panama with family and friends.

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MG historical fiction book that will tug at your heartstrings.
⚾️
It’s 1989 and the U.S. military has invaded El Chorillo, Panama ruining Danilo’s city and peace of mind. Now his family’s apartment is getting condemned and he, his sister and mom have to move into a refugee camp. When Danilo’s dad left for the US he sent money, but they’ve haven’t heard from him in months. When Danilo gets an opportunity to play baseball in the states, he agrees in the hopes of tracking down his dad to see if he could send the family money. Danilo soon realizes that things are not like back home in California and he struggles to acclimate to his new life, while also trying to track down his father.
🪗
As someone who doesn’t normally enjoy historical fiction, I really got sucked into this story. I felt so much for Danilo: empathy, sadness, joy and anger on his behalf. The audiobook was fantastically narrated and the characters really came to life through this format. Highly recommend this one!

CW: racism, microaggressions, war, PTSD, parental abandonment

[Erin Downing · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!!

[Diana Strand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danilo is living as a refugee in 1989 Panama City after the destruction of his neighborhood in the US invasion to capture Manuel Noriega. He's burnt out on baseball but takes the opportunity to go to the States when he realizes he will be able to look for his father who's left the family behind. Carrying the burden of trauma, his integration into a wealthy family and a team full of superstars is anything but smooth. Eventually, Danilo learns to handle the many changes life has thrown at him and discovers what it actually means to chase your dreams.

My perspective is probably different from the typical reader's, as I moved to Panama for a year in 1995. I rode the red buses downtown from my home in the Los Andes neighborhood and appreciated how authentic the Panama scenes felt. I wish I had more books in my library for my students who ask what it was like to live there, but at least they can get a picture of a time not typically covered in their American history books.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital advance copy.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 4 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Danilo Osorio's life in the Chorillo neighborhood of Panama City, Panama, is very difficult in 1990. Operation Just Cause, the US military operation that targeted Manuel Noriega, the ruler of the country who was involved in drug operations, damaged Danilo's neighborhood very heavily in December of 1989, killing many of his neighbors, destroying homes and infrastructure, and damaging the apartment where his family lives. His father has gone to the US to find a job after a knee injury made it impossible for his to play baseball or work construction. Danilo's mother works night shifts at a super mercado, and he is in charge of taking care of his younger sister, Amara. He used to play baseball, but has no interest in it after his father's departure. It's not unusual for fathers to go to the US and never come back, but Danilo hopes this is not the case. When the We Care charity puts together a fun day for the local children, Danilo agrees to play in a baseball game with his best friend, Julian. He's surprised to see Coach Cox, a US baseball trainer who knew his dad, at the game, but when his Tio Beto insists on introducing Danilo, he finds out that the coach is interested in bringing Danilo to the US to attend his two month training camp. Danilo doesn't want to go, to his mother's chagrin, but things worsen quickly for the family. The Osorios' apartment building is condemned, as is his aunt and uncle's, which is especially bad since the aunt is expecting a baby. With nothing else to be done, everyone whittles down their possessions, stores a few things, and goes to live in an old airplane hangar that is divided up with curtains. There are two meals a day, but it's too far of a commute for the mother to get to work. Danilo realizes that it's better for everyone if he accepts the coach's offer. Soon, he is off to San Diego, living with the Anderson family, and attending the baseball camp. This is also difficult, since Mrs. Anderson thinks he doesn't speak English and is insensitive. It is nice to live in a big, comfortable house, but training is brutal. Danilo is the only Black player, and most of the team ignore him. Brian, who is a friend of Christina Anderson's, is nice to him. While he tries his best, Danilo is still suffering from having lived through the invasion, a fact that is pointed out to him by the teacher of Grayson Anderson's music therapy class. Grayson is on the autism spectrum, and has trouble accepting Danilo's presence in the house, although the two start to connect over a shared love of the accordion. Danilo is determined to find his father, and after confiding in Christina, learns that he lives about an hour away. Christian and Brian are helpful, but things are still difficult. After a less than optimal meeting with his father, Danilo has to decide whether to continue on at the baseball camp after the first two months, or to return to his family in Panama.
Strengths: Burgess' Sincerely Sicily is one of the only middle grade books I have seen with a Panamanian character, so I loved that this not only had a lot of history, but also involved baseball. I have a fair amount of students who have immigrated from a variety of locations, and I like to have stories for them and their peers that show an array of immigrant experiences to foster empathy. Gratz's Refugee is a title that many teachers like to use as a class title, but I liked this one even better. Danilo's life isn't easy, but he does what he needs to do in order to try to make things better. There are a few details about life in the 1990s, and some television shows and other pop cultural items are mentioned, as well as the very antiquated conceoot of writing letters and mailing them. I think my students will pick this up because of the bright cover, and be pleased with the contents.
Weaknesses: 1990 was my first year of teaching, and I don't remember seeing any students diagnosed on the autism spectrum until about 2005, although perhaps California was more aware of the issue. I would not have minded a short note at the end about the history of Panama, because most of my students won't have any background knowledge about this era.
What I really think: It's always good to see books that deal with different points of history. This is a great choice for readers who like their history mixed with a little bit of sports. It reminded me a little of Corbett's Free Baseball (2006) or Volponi's Game Seven (2015), but both of those involved Cuban ball players. Reading this might encourage students to find out more about Rod Carew and other Panamanian players!

[DaNae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danilo is known throughout his Panamanian city as a great young baseball player and has been given to opportunity to train with a well respected coach in California. He has had little interest in the game since his father abandoned his family for a life in the US. In 1989, Danilo’s neighborhood is destroyed when it the US attacks to get Manuel Noriega. He, and his mother and sister are displaced to an airplane hanger, turned refugee camp. Conditions are so bad Danilo hatches a plan to get to the US to find his father and demand help.

This book did a complex job with both the character of Danilo and his situation and the portrayal of the United States as the aggressor in a conflict that ended up hurting and killing many innocent people. I appreciated Danilo’s character, he is both overly sensitive to helping his mother and sister and seeing that they have what they need, while still being fairly arrogant, particularly in regard to his baseball ability. I was pleasantly delighted to see I was wrong about how everything would play out once he got to the US. I expected that the spoiled American kids would treat him badly and with racist stereotypes. He would be treated with suspicion but end up showing that he was the best baseball player they had ever beheld. This book did not go there. Danilo’s is suffering from trauma and it is not under or overplayed. While there are a few jerky kids, mostly the other kids he encounters are either indifferent or eventually accepting. One of most fleshed out characters is his host mom. At first we think we know what we will get with her ignorant comments about his culture. She is somewhat comical, but not in a totally dismissive way. She tries so hard, not always in the right direction, but I found her character arc satisfying. This book does not have tidy solutions at the end, but it does have a lovely ending.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danilo lived in Panama when it was invaded by the US military to deal with dictator Noriega. It left his neighborhood in utter shambles and him with PTSD (although he does not know or use that term). He, his mom, and his little sister have been struggling ever since his dad left for the US and stopped sending money. Danilo and his dad had a shared love of baseball and both excelled at the game. But after his dad abandoned them, Danilo's heart wasn't in it anymore. However, he is persuaded to play in a game for fun at a US charity event where a US coach sees him. Danilo is invited to come play in California for two months on a youth team. He goes, hoping he can find his father and persuade him to start helping his family in Panama again.

I remember hearing about Noriega when I was growing up but I never really knew details about the situation. This book didn't clear up a lot of the details for me except for where, when, and how much of a disastrous impact it had on the Panamanian people. For readers who are not into historical fiction, this is still an engaging read about family, friendship, and perseverance (and baseball).

[Sydney Dunlap · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 mother and younger sister, especially when their building is condemned and they must relocate to a refugee camp.

Danilo is a talented baseball player, and he gets the chance to travel to California and train there. With everything else that's happened, he's no longer very interested in baseball, but he hopes to reconnect with his father so that he can once again provide financial support for the family. But things don't go as planned, and Danilo faces even more challenges.

This book is fast-paced, beautifully written, and handles extremely difficult topics in a very age-appropriate and compelling way for young readers. An excellent coming-of-age story which also provides a glimpse at historical events that many people may not know much about. Highly recommend!

[Glenna Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danilo is a boy who doesn't realize he is suffering from PTSD after the American invasion of his neighborhood in Panama during Operation Just Cause in 1989. His father seems to have abandoned him, his mother, and his little sister for life in America and his home is destroyed. His family move to a refugee camp. He no longer enjoys playing baseball the way he did when he played with his father, but one day, he catches the eye of a recruiter who offers him the chance to play in California for the summer to hone his skills. Danilo feels wrong leaving his mother and sister behind, but takes the chance so he can find and confront his father. Focused on finding his father and sorting through his own problems as well as trying to fit in with his wealthy host family, Danilo almost misses the chance to make friends and improve his baseball skills. An honest discussion with his difficult coach brings him to a crossroad and makes him realize he needs to make some decisions about who he will be and how he will move through the world.

[Sue.the.very.busy.reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danilo Was Here is a powerful #2025NewRelease I picked up for the #NewberyContenderChallenge with Patti @mamadaughterbookclub.
This Middle Grade Historical Fiction hooks you from page one. Danilo dreams of becoming a pro baseball player like his father—until his dad abandons the family and leaves for the U.S. with no money and no word. When a U.S. invasion destroys their Panama neighborhood, Danilo, his mom, and little sister are forced to relocate to a refugee camp. Understandably, Danilo is angry and wants nothing to do with baseball—or his father. Then he’s given a chance to travel to the U.S. to play baseball. He resists, but the opportunity might also lead him to his father… and the confrontation he's been holding onto.This story is heartbreaking and real. Danilo and his sister just want their father to show up for them—but life doesn’t always go the way we hope.What I loved most? Watching Danilo find his own strength, stand up to his father, and choose his own path. ⚾️ I also enjoyed seeing all the people who showed up for Danilo and showed him kindness and love.

[Laura Stegman · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 ousted dictator Manuel Noriega, they must leave their condemned home for a refugee camp in a cramped, bug-infested U.S.-run airplane hangar, which is as bad as it sounds. With Danilo obsessed with tracking down his absent father to get him to provide financial support for his struggling family, he takes what seems a promising opportunity to train with a prestigious baseball coach near his father's California home. As Danilo fights to save his family, he also learns more about his own dreams and discovers what they truly are. Filled with likeable characters and compelling situations, this book is highly recommended.

[Shella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one surprised me. The development of the main character was the strength. The lessons learned especially about communication and PTSD are important ones. I would have liked more historical facts woven in- I would not really consider it historical fiction it is a story that takes place against the backdrop of the invasion of Panama in 1989 but the reader will not learn much about it except that it created difficulties and hardships for the people of Panama. I would have liked to learn more about his father, but I’m guessing that is the way the author wanted it. I also appreciated how a person with a disability was authentically woven into the storyline. I really liked the music therapy scenes. Readers can make some inferences, but would have liked the secondary characters fleshed out more. I think this will leave some serious readers and thinkers with questions and that’s okay- all endings don’t need to be wrapped up in a bow. I enjoyed the story more than I thought I would.

[Jacqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2026-2027 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee. After the Americans invaded Panama, Danilo’s world is turned upside down. There apartment is falling down around them. The building is condemned and all the families are sent to live in a makeshift shelter in an airport hanger.

Because Danilo plays baseball well, he is offered a two month stint in a training camp. He is not game to go because his father left them and said he would send money home. But he goes back on his word. Danilo thinks if he goes to California he can find his father and compel him to send much need money home to mother and sister.

The host family started out unlikable but soon became better as we came to know them better. The autistic brother helped Danilo understand his emotions.
I am not sure this title will be a hit with the target audience.

[Maritere Rodriguez Bellas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A historical fiction that immigrant middle graders will relate to. Panamanian Danilo is a typical
14 year-old; obedient son, friendly, devoted brother, skilled baseball player. Like his dad… Yet, he experiences a life changing event when the U.S. military invades his hometown in Panama. Gifted at baseball, Danilo is given the opportunity to travel to the U.S. to play and in the process find his long absent father. This is a heart-warming, tug at your heart story, about expectations, resilience, hope and dreams.

I listened to the audio book and would have wanted the story to continue. Loved the narrator! In awe of the writer! Thank you for sharing this story, Tamika Burgess!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danilo just barely survives the US invasion of Panama to oust dictator Noriega. His family’s home and neighborhood are practically destroyed and he and his mother and sister must move into a refugee camp. Meanwhile, his father has moved to the US but has stopped sending money or calling. When Danilo is encouraged by his uncle to visit the US to play baseball, he reluctantly agrees hoping he can make contact with his father. This is a story of trauma and resilience and readers will root for Danilo.

[BiblioBrandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before this book, I knew little about Panama's history or the 1989 Operation Just Cause, when U.S. forces invaded and destroyed Danilo's neighborhood. In the story, Danilo cares nothing for baseball or the father who left him for a better life in America. All that matters to him is taking care of his mamá and sister, and keeping them out of a refugee camp. The baseball parts will grab sports fans, but I like how the book mixes in real history with the story.

[Nancycampbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burgess shares a moment in Panamanian history through the eyes of Danilo, a talented young baseball player. After his Papa abandons the family for the States, and the military invasion in 1989 destroys his neighborhood, his love for baseball wanes. Still, when he is offered a chance to train in California, Danilo decides to go and try to find his father. This emotionally sincere story tells of love, resilience, and pursuing our dreams.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think students will enjoy the baseball part of this and hopefully will appreciate a glimpse into this time in Panama. Mention author’s note at the end for background knowledge. Since Panama has been in the news lately, this might spark more interest.

[Jgramley · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. An absolutely fascinating middle grade novel about a time period I was alive in and Operation Just Cause which I knew nothing about. Danilo’s journey was one no kid should have to endure but is inspirational as he took steps to defining his dream for himself.

[Lisa Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another historical fiction book about a time in our history that I knew very little about. I enjoyed this book, although parts were a little predictable. The baseball angle will definitely grab kids. Overall a good, quick, heartwarming read

[Erica Schimmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sports, MG and male character. Lots of tween boys will want to read this.

[Anna Shorter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This felt longer than it was. It was a fine exploration of finding your own answers for who you are and learning to acknowledge that everyone's life is tough, it's not a competition who has it bad .

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started _Sincerely Sicily_ but couldn't get into it (see review), eventually abandoning it. I felt the same about this one.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great middle grade fiction - loved the Panama setting and the historical event surrounding the invasion of Panama in 1989/1990.

[Elizabeth Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is extremely well written and I would not be surprised to see it win some awards in 2026; however, I struggled to really engage with it until the last 20-30% of it. Still, really lovely writing, excellent character development, and an important look at a historical event that isn't widely talked about.

[stillme · Rating 4 out of 5]

TX Blue Bonnet 2026-2027

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danilo is an amazing baseball player and has been the star of his team in Panama. He's been scouted by a coach who trains little league players in America and has invited him to come to San Diego and train with him for a couple of months. However, Danilo has been going through a lot lately; his neighborhood was hit during the US Panama invasion a few months earlier and now his mom and sister are living in tents on an airfield. His dad, a former ball player himself, has gone to America but has stopped sending money, or even calling. Danilo doesn't even like baseball anymore, but thinks this might be an opportunity to find his dad who lives in California, too.

Burgess has infused just enough history about 1989 Panama for the reader to understand Danilo's situation without all the political stuff. The tension surrounding meeting his father as well as his difficulty connecting with the team and playing his best made for an engaging read. Not completely full of sports action although we see the goings on at a few games.