I also find it ironic that on the one hand, there are complaints about the lack of characters representing a specific ethnicity (although there was no mention of Latinos/Hispanics, either), while on the other hand, the inclusion of African Americans is considered condescending. I disagree with the assertion that “they seem to have no other point in the book but to be Eff’s teachers.” Both Miss Ochiba and Wash are fully realized characters who have their own lives and goals: Miss Ochiba is a high school teacher who does far more than worry about Eff, to the point of leaving to pursue her own interests toward the end of the book, while Wash is off working a majority of the time as an employee of the federal government. They are no more subservient as people to Eff than the majority of white characters she comes in contact with; however, the book is not about them, it is about her, and therefore their stories are necessarily secondary to her narrative (it is, after all, a story told in first person).

I appreciate your even-handed review and the potential concerns of other readers who may have misgivings about the book. However, I think once Ms. Wrede clearly identified this world as completely speculative in nature, she should not be judged for nuanced historical accuracy. If there have been past sins of omission in fiction, let us not swing the pendelum so far in the opposite direction that this novel must be judged for their trangressions. I would encourage readers to let Thirteenth Child stand on its own merits. It was engaging, imaginative, well-written, and directly embraced the pursuit of equality, tolerance, and the creation of a New World identity fron the diverse traditions of all its pioneers. I heartily recommend it to all fantasy lovers, of whatever racial or ethnic background.

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