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Danilo Osorio Jr.'s baseball skills were once the pride of his father and entire hometown of El Chorrillo, Panama. 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 mama 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.
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.
Meet the Author
Tamika Burgess is a storyteller with over a decade of novel, TV/film, and personal essay writing experience. Born to parents who migrated from Panama, Tamika has always taken a particular interest in writing themes that explore her Black Latina identity. When she is not writing, Tamika is somewhere cozy online shopping and listening to a podcast. Tamika resides in sunny Southern California.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
How would you describe your main character? Why did you create your character that way?
Some words that I would use to describe Danilo are determined, confident, caring, and reliable. As he navigates through the many changes he experiences, these characteristics remain, yet get stretched, twisted, and tested. This causes Danilo to push himself in new ways. It was important for me to showcase this growth because it is an example to readers that as we go through harsh things in life, we can learn not to let them negatively impact who we are.
Where did you get the idea to write this particular story?
Danilo Was Here was inspired by what happened during the early hours of December 20, 1989, when the United States military invaded twenty locations within the Republic of Panamá. There are several reasons why the United States claims the invasion—named “Operation Just Cause”—was necessary, the main one being to capture politician and unelected military dictator Manuel Noriega.
What message are you hoping readers will take away from this story?
Danilo Was Here was written to share Panamanian culture and the country’s history, which isn’t often represented in works of
fiction. I also wanted to show how children are resilient and, with proper help, can learn the tools to overcome life-changing events and go on to prosper and thrive. Danilo demonstrates determination and an ability to press on when obstacles arise, which reminds readers to never give up
on themselves.
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