Janeczko Poetry

Home on the Range: Cowboy Poetry

Selected By: Paul B. Janeczko

Pictures By: Bernie Fuchs

Janecko, Paul B. 1997. Home on the Range: Cowboy Poetry. Ill. by Bernie Fuchs. New York, NY: Dial Books.

ISBN: 0803719116

Home on the Range is a collection of 19 cowboy poems.  All the poems in the collection were selected by Paul Janeczko.  Jeneczko uses many different poetic elements throughout the book.  Rhyming words are used in many of the poems.  "You Probably Know This Guy" uses lots of rhyming words.  This particular poem was my favorite.  This poem talks about a farmer and his morning routine of getting up and feeding and taking care of his cows.  "Hayin" is another very enjoyable poem that uses rhyming words.  It is about hay seasons and their workers.  Some of the poems are written in free verse.  "Sold Out" and "Range Cow in Winter" are examples of poems that are written in free verse.

All of the poems fit well together and are about cowboys and cowgirls and the type of work they do.  The poems further the readers knowledge about the hard work these people do.  Cowboys is a very interesting topic that children love to read and learn about.  The poems talk about cowboys who drove cattle and cowboys who work on a ranch or farm.  Janecko has done a wonderful job of selecting poems from a wide range of authors, including both men and women.  

Bernie Fuchs has provided beautiful and captivating paintings.  There is one poem on every page and an illustration to go with the poem.  Fuchs blends colors such as brown, purple, yellow, orange, and black to represent the American cowboy.

Home on the Range is a terrific book to add to any poetry collection.  The book is educational and fun.  It provides a deeper look into the lives of interesting people and the work they do.

You Probably Know This Guy

He gets up in the mornin', way before dawn,

Feeds the wood heater, turns a pot of coffee on,

Tunes in the radio for the market report.

He could stay in bed, but he's just not that sort.

He scrambles some eggs, while his family sleeps upstairs.

Thinks over coffee 'til first light appears.

He climbs into his coveralls when it's light enough to feed.

Some folks wait 'til it's warmer, but he's not of that breed.

Activity: This is a great poem to teach younger children about rhyming words.  First complete a brief mini lesson over rhyming words, explaining and brainstorming what they are.  Next read the poem to the students out loud 2 times through.  After reading the poem divide the students into small groups and give a copy of the poem to each group.  Let students underline each set of rhyming words in different colors.  When each group is finished allow them to share with the whole group some of the rhyming words their group found.

Poetry By Kids

Falling Hard: 100 Love Poems By Teenagers

Edited By: Betsy Franco

Franco, Betsy. 2008. Falling Hard: 100 Love Poems By Teenagers. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. 

ISBN: 9780763634377

Falling Hard is a collection of 100 poems that are written by teenagers about the topic of love.  The authors of the poems come from a wide range of age and ethnic backgrounds.  These teenage poets  have a variety of sexual preferences, straight, gay, bi, and transgender.  

Some of the poems in the book have a rhythm or beat, while others have rhyming words.  Most of the poetry is written in free verse.  Sense imagery is dominant throughout the entire book revolving around love.  Many of the poems are written abstractly and left up for interpretation.  

All the poems are written from experiences these teenagers have been through.  Some of the poems are sweet and the reader can tell the authors of these poems have an innocence about love and being in a relationship.  Other poems are written from a raw perspective from teens who are more experienced.  Some of the poems deal with heart break, new relationships, crushes, sex, and self-esteem.  Love is a topic that all teens deal with, so the topic of the book is appealing to the age group targeted.  Love is  dealt with in different ways and it shows in the book.  The poems stir up various moods and emotions while being read due to the variety of the authors of the poetry.  The reader can tell these teen authors have poured their heart and soul into their poetry.  

Some of the poems are rough and difficult to read, and I wouldn't allow young teens to read the poems that are explicit. However, Falling Hard is an inspiration to any young writer.  It shows young people that they can write and have a voice just like adults.  Falling Hard is an example of teenagers pouring their hearts out onto paper and inspiring other teens to do the same.  


Love is Like


the sweetness of honey
falling from a bee hive.


You have to be careful
not to get stung.


Hector Jasso, age 16


Activity:  This poem is a good example of how poets often use similes in their poetry.  "Love is like the sweetness of honey" is a simile the poet has used.  Students can brainstorm other similes for the emotion and feeling of love, or students could pick another emotion such as anger or happiness and write similes for them.  After students have listed their similes they take them and write a poem using their similes. 

Free Choice Poetry

Declaration Of Interdependence: Poems for an Election Year

By: Janet Wong

Wong, Janet. 2012. Declaration of Interdependence: Poems for an Election Year. Princeton, NJ: PoetrySuitcase.com.

ISBN: 9781937057206 

Declaration of Interdependence is a collection of poetry compiled into an electronic format.  The poems focus around the topic of an election year.  There are 20 poems in the collection.  Some of the poems rhyme.  "Occupy the TV" is an example of a poem that has rhyming words.  It is a funny poem about watching political debates on the television.  Some of the poems are more along the lines of a narrative.  "We the People" tells a story about a fifteen year old and her eagerness to vote.

Wong does a great job of taking topics such as politics and writes in a way kids can understand.  All the poems appeal to young people.  Many of the poems are funny and witty and put a different spin on a stereotypical election.  Wong turns a topic that might be considered boring to some, especially kids, and makes it into an interesting topic.  Freedom of speech and the Bill of Rights is also addressed throughout her poems.   "F Words" is another poem that has an element of humor.  It is about a child listening in on an adults conversation about foreign policy, feminism, facts, fossil fuels, and other words that start with f.

I enjoyed reading through Wong's collection of poems.  Since this is an election year this book is a great resource and learning tool to use with students.  Declaration of Interdependence is a wonderful book with a sense of humor to use to expose and teach students about politics and the election year.

Once Upon A Time

Listen to old people

and it seems like

Once upon a time

the world was so different.

I wish

I could click the remote

And poof!

Instead of the boring nonsense

There would only be

Once Upon a time:

Snow White for President!

Activity:  This is a great poem to read to students during times of televised political debates.  There could be a class discussion about the debates and the teacher can ask the students if they have seen them on T.V.  After discussing the debates the teacher reads the poem.  The teacher points out the humorous fact that the author would like Snow White to be president.  After discussion students can brainstorm who they would like to be president, and either write a story or a poem about their candidate.