The Rumpus believes that six is the perfect age for kids to start checking the mailbox for actual letters -- so they've started Letters for Kids, a subscription program similar to Letters in the Mail.

As a Letters for Kids subscriber, you'll receive two letters a month written by middle-grade authors like Lemony Snicket/Daniel Handler, Adam Rex, Kerry Madden, Natalie Standiford, Susan Patron, Rebecca Stead, and Cecil Castellucci.

Some of the letters will be illustrated. Some will be written by hand. The Rumpus will copy the letters, fold them, put them in an envelope, put a first class stamp on the envelope, and send the letters to you (or your child). Many of the authors will include a mailing address on their letter so you can write back.

Subscriptions are $4.50 per month, $9 international.

Subscribe here or here (International). Note: Current Letters in the Mail subscribers should create a new account with a new email address for Letters For Kids so the original subscription will not be cancelled.