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Today, we're thrilled to share the cover to Danilo Was Here, a new middle grade novel written by Tamika Burgess (cover illustration by Noa Denmon) and published by Harper Collins. Here's the scoop on Danilo Was Here: 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. And now, without further ado... check out this horgeous cover!  Tamika says: The Danilo Was Here book cover is an image that I feel captures the true essence of the story. Behind the main character, divided between flora that is native to Panamá, two completely different locations are depicted. This is a visual representation of what happens in the story when Danilo’s ever-changing world leads him out of El Chorrillo, Panamá (the only neighborhood he’s ever known), to a new country, house, and culture. I especially love the Panamá (right) side of the cover image because it is spot on. The illustrator, Noa Denmon, did a wonderful job of capturing all the details of the neighborhood, and the inclusion of the Panamá flag is a nice, subtle touch that I think will grab readers' attention. As for the main character, Danilo: the minimalism of him wearing a hat, tank top, and gold necklace speaks to the simple and humble life he has lived. His facial expression gives a hint of peace, but his eyes read of concern as he is thrust into a major life change, which is what the neighborhood on the left side of the background image represents. And finally, I love the colors! They give off a tropical vibe that works perfectly against his beautiful Black skin tone.  Photo credit: Claudia R. Balbuena BIO Tamika Burgess is the award-winning middle grade fiction author of Sincerely Sicily. Born to parents who migrated from Panamá, Tamika Burgess has always taken a particular interest in writing themes that explore her Black Latina identity. Learn more about her at Tamikaburgess.com and follow her on social media @TameeksB on Instagram and Twitter. Website: TamikaBurgess.com Goodreads: https://shorturl.at/ApFTP Twitter (X): https://x.com/TameeksB Instagram: https://x.com/TameeksB Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTamikaBurgess/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tameeksb Comments are closed.
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