“Growing Up Together” Creciendo Juntos - Desarrollando la Autoestima en Familia "Growing Up Together" is a collective work that reflects the effort, dedication, and commitment of 25 young Latino writers, all under 16 years old, who are part of the #JEL USA Youth Literary Club. Led by co-author Yolanda Rosas, the club’s director, this book becomes a testament to the importance of family and self-esteem in the process of personal and collective growth. Through their stories, the young writers address the theme of building self-esteem within the family unit, emphasizing how, like in a game of chess, the process of raising and growing is not the result of chance or luck but of strategic and constant planning. Each family member, like each piece on the chessboard, plays an essential role, and the loss of any of these pieces will impact the well-being of the whole. This book is not only a tribute to the joint effort of parents and children to maintain family values, but also a celebration of mutual support and the strengthening of the social fabric. The cover, featuring chess symbolism, invites reflection on the importance of decisions and strategies in parenting and in building solid self-esteem from an early age. "Creciendo Juntos" es una obra colectiva que refleja el esfuerzo de 25 jóvenes escritores latinos, todos menores de 16 años, miembros del Club Juvenil Literario #JEL USA, dirigido por la coautora Yolanda Rosas. Este libro destaca la importancia de la familia y la autoestima en el crecimiento personal y colectivo. A través de sus relatos, los jóvenes abordan la construcción de la autoestima dentro de la familia, aplicando las técnicas del programa JOVEN TRIUNFADOR de la Dra. Miriam Burbano. Como en el ajedrez, criar y crecer no es cuestión de suerte, sino de planificación estratégica. Cada miembro de la familia juega un rol esencial, y la pérdida de cualquiera afecta el bienestar colectivo. Agradecimiento - Acknowledgment "Growing Up Together" would not have been possible without the participation of the 25 young co-authors and the collaboration of special guests, sponsors, and contributors. Their writings and presentations enrich this work and reinforce the message that true greatness is built through family unity, dedication, and mutual learning. We are deeply grateful to the co-authors of this anthology—your voices and contributions are the heart of this work, and without you, it would not have been possible. Thank you for your dedication and inspiration. Felicitaciones a los siguientes coautores de este libro de inspiración y crecimiento: Guadalupe Lizeth Castro, Sebastián Alexander Santana, Victoria Sumaq Aguirre , Javier Gael Alcala, Ángel Cazares, Luis Benyamin Carrillo, Kimberly Corado, Benyamín González, María Fabianna Germán Salvatierra, Camila Victoria Guzmán, Ximena Fabián, Katie Corado, Shaila Roxanna Carrillo, Sarai Fabián, Kenneth Lazaro, Luna Trejo, Jasmine González Coll, Eskarleth Lazaro Corona, Abigayl de León, Paula Salazar, Mia Cortazar, Zoey Huizar - Martínez, Valerie Martínez, Alany Yac, Mireina Wilson, Solomon David Wilson, and Mikeyla Cortez - Cazares. Gracias: Elsa O'Farrill, Dr. Guillermo Ahumada, Lizbeth Moreno, Maritza Ardón, Escritor Guillermo Corona, María de Jesús Cuevas Morales, Ruth Bosquez, Mynor Gámez, Patty Alvarado, Martha Cazares, Jessica Medina, Mar Alcalá, Mariana López, Angélica Guzmán, Dra. Susana Santa Cruz, Escritora Jessica Coll, Alma Beauty, Bertha Alicia Zárate, Grelia Vegas, Poeta Monique Pineda, María Sánchez, Elia T. Guillory, Millie Díaz, Emilse Cabrera, Sofía Aragón, Osiris Lázaro, Autora Sonia Sánchez, Mireili Blanco Wilson, Yolanda Rosas, Mayra Galeano y Annie Guevara, María Perla, Carlos Méndez, Poeta Mateo Hernández y Dra. Miriam Burbano. Una producción de: Editorial Jóvenes Escritores Latinos info@editorialjel.org