Interview With Middle Grade Author Tamika Burgess
- Brandie June
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Tamika Burgess is the author of Sincerely Sicily and the recently released, Danilo Was Here. I got to chat with Tamika about her new book, what makes for great Middle Grade writing, and how she explores Black Latina identity in her books.
What is the premise of Danilo Was Here?
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.
This is your second book, the first being Sincerely Sicily. How was the process similar or different from writing your first book?
Writing my debut, Sincerely Sicily, was a ten-year process, because writing was a hobby at that time. I would write, leave the draft alone for a while, write, and leave it alone again. I started in 2013, and the book came out in 2023. I was able to revise and edit as many times as I wanted before signing with an agent and a publisher. With my second novel, Danilo Was Here, everything was faster. I had a deadline. I didn’t have the time to write when I felt like it, and I had to consider my editor's feedback at every step. So the process for each book was completely different. The only similarity is that both novels include themes and topics that I really wanted to present to readers, topics that aren’t often discussed in books, including my Panamanian culture.
How do you explore Black Latina identity in your writing?
I explore Black Latina identity in my writing by acknowledging the full experience, including race, language, African influence, migration stories, tradition, and more.
What is the key to writing great middle grade books?
The main thing to remember is the age group you're writing for. The character’s voice, the problems they face, their peer group, and how they interact with others should be appropriate for the target age group. But there also needs to be a balance. Middle Grade readers are at the age when they are starting to learn about themselves and discover the world around them, so introducing them to new things and tackling the "hard" topics is also important.
Where can people get Danilo Was Here?
What are the best places to follow you?
Subscribe to my monthly newsletter: https://www.tamikaburgess.com/newsletter
Follow on socials: @ Tameeksb
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