Paul.B Janeczko author page

Paul B. Janeczko biography

Paul B. Janeczko was an American poet, anthologist, and educator known for his contributions to children’s and young adult literature. He authored and edited numerous poetry collections, anthologies, and instructional books aimed at young readers and teachers. Janeczko earned a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Francis College and a Master of Arts from John Carroll University.

Janeczko began his career as a high school English teacher before turning to writing and editing full-time. He compiled and edited a wide range of poetry anthologies, including A Poke in the I: A Collection of Concrete Poems, Firefly July: A Year of Very Short Poems, and Hey, You!: Poems to Skyscrapers, Mosquitoes, and Other Fun Things. His work often focused on making poetry accessible and engaging for young readers, and he collaborated with illustrators such as Chris Raschka and Melissa Sweet.

In addition to anthologies, Janeczko wrote instructional guides for teachers, such as How to Write Poetry and Opening a Door: Reading Poetry in the Middle School Classroom. He also authored original poetry collections, including Worlds Afire and Requiem: Poems of the Terezin Ghetto.

Janeczko’s books have received recognition from organizations such as the American Library Association and the National Council of Teachers of English. In 2014, his anthology Firefly July: A Year of Very Short Poems, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, was named a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Book.