Danilo Was Here: [Audiobook]

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Description

From the acclaimed author of Sincerely Sicily, Tamika Burgess, comes a timely coming-of-age story about a young boys fight to save his family and his dreams in the aftermath of the US military invasion of Panam. 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, Panam. But that was then, and this is now

Following 1989's Operation Just Cause, a US military invasion that left his neighborhood decimated, Danilo couldnt care less about baseball or the father who abandoned him for opportunities in the States. Now Danilos focus is taking care of his mam 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 Californiathe same place as his fathers last known addresshe 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, Danilos plans encounter some curveballs. And when his turn to bat finally comes, hell have to decide what and who hes actually fighting for.  

Reviews

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

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

Author Bio

Tamika Burgess is a storyteller with over a decade of novel, TV/film, and personal essay writing experience. Born to parents who migrated from Panam, 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.