Summary: Danilo Was Here
In the aftermath of his father abandoning their family and the 1989 Just Cause US invasion of Panamá, Danilo is losing interest in baseball — the sport that connected him and his father — and is more interested in caring for his mom and sister. But when an opportunity to train with a junior baseball team in California falls in his lap and his family suddenly becomes refugees in their country, Danilo takes the chance to go to the US, potentially meet his father, and seek help for his mom and sister. However, his time in the US takes a surprising turn.
The Good
First off, I had no knowledge of the US invasion of Panamá, so this book already wins for teaching me something historical that I previously did not know about. The book is set against in 1990 against the backdrop of the event’s aftermath so it doesn’t really center the invasion but the ripples of its impact are felt throughout the story, from the structural damages to El Chorillo (Danilo’s town) to the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that Danilo suffers as a result.
This story will highly appeal to baseball fans because it is packed with baseball action. Deny as much as he will, Danilo loves baseball. He enjoys playing it and is good at it. The author provides a sprinkling of baseball history, particularly when it comes to African-American and Caribbean players in the Major Leagues. There’s also a focus on good sportsmanship and teamwork — both of which Danilo who’s used to being the star player is forced to learn in California.
Danilo lives with a foster family abroad and forms new friendships, even as he observes the stark differences between his life in war-impacted El Chorillo and the easygoing California. Still, he learns that although other kids may not be living in war-torn neighborhoods, they also face unique challenges of their own that merit his empathy equally. Finally, there is the lurking theme of parental abandonment and we learn where Danilo’s father is and why he left their family.
Danilo Was Here
Danilo Was Here is a moving, action-packed coming-of-age story about overcoming challenges and pursuing dreams, set against the aftermath of the 1989 US invasion of Panamá. With relatable tween themes like parent-child relationships, baseball, friendship ups and downs, and adjusting to change, this story is pitch-perfect for the middle audience, particularly for sports fans who also enjoy historical fiction.
Star Rating
Content Notes
Here are some specifics to know about the content.
Content Warnings
- Death: None on the page.
- Alcohol/substance abuse: None
- Sexual content: None.
- Violence: An accident on the pitch leaves a player with a bloodied nose.
- Religious content: None.
- Language: None
Diversity
- Ethnic: Characters are Afro-Panamanian, African-American, Latina, and white.
- Sexual orientation: None.
Recommended for ages: 9+
Good for kids who like:
- Baseball books
- Historical fiction
- Stories set outside the US
- Books about father-child relationships
Publisher Details
| Publisher details | HarperCollins |
| Author | Tamika Burgess |
| Illustrator | N/A |
| Publication date | January 21, 2025 |
| Audiobook? | Yes, Libro.fm |
| Page count: | 304 |
| Cover artists | Designer: | Noa Denmon | Corina Lupp |
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