An action research project in Canada set up a penpal program between preservice teachers and middle school children. Its purpose was to promote the literacy development of the younger students and to provide the preservice students with an understanding of adolescents. Although the first year was especially successful and rewarding--the highlights being visits between correspondents, one at the middle school and one at the university--the second year was less exciting. Still, while abroad in Sydney, Australia, on leave, the researcher realized she was not ready to give up the idea, and put herself in connection with teachers and university professors who were interested in a penpal exchange between Canadian and Australian students. A seventh-grade class in Australia is doing a research project on their country and preparing to send texts such as colored brochures to their peers in Canada. They are very enthusiastic about this, completely on task in the library using CD ROMs, encyclopedias, and books. This appears to be an example of real writing for real purposes with an authentic audience. (Appendixes contain information sheets for students to fill out and a reading interest survey sheet.) (TB)