In David A. Neumeier’s Hope – The Story of a Banana-Fish, readers are taken on a wonderful underwater adventure seemingly inspired in part by Disney’s Finding Nemo, but also by J.D. Salinger’s A Perfect Day for Banana-fish. The main character is a young female fish named Hope who, like Nemo, has physical characteristics that set her apart from the other fish in her community and cause her mockery and embarrassment. Also like Nemo, Hope gets separated from her school and her dad sets out to find her; however, the similarities end there. As Hope finds strength in her differences and in her journey to reconnect with her parents and their school, she learns to trust her instincts and follow her heart – even when they are in opposition to the norm. Neumeier has written a fast-paced, action packed story that will keep the youngest readers entertained and on the edges of their seats, while older readers reflect upon the deeper messages about society.

Neumeier’s writing is smooth and he has a real talent for storytelling, striking just the right balance between the dialogue and expository writing. The characters are rich and memorable, with enough details given for readers to connect. It is impressive that from a few lines in the tale by Salinger (that the banana-fish will overfeed itself on bananas to the point it gets so fat it can’t escape from its hole and dies), Neumeier has created an entire underwater society and system which Hope turns upside down. It’s an excellent illustration of how one person or event can be a huge catalyst for positive change.

While this book isn’t categorized for children, it absolutely is appropriate for kids and lends itself to many opportunities for teachable moments about tolerance, co-existence, fear, perseverance, safety, and so much more. Hope – The Story of a Banana-Fish has all the right elements, including humor, heartache, and horror, to keep readers of all ages engaged to the final pages.

Hope: The Story of a Banana-Fish is an aquatic fantasy written by David A. Neumeier. Jade and Blu are banana-fish. They guarded the eggs that Jade deposited and watched over the fry when they hatched. One of the young banana-fish, Hope, was different from all the other ones. She had very long fins and a long tail, and the other young fish would push her around when Jade and Blu were not there. Hope would try to make herself smaller so she didn't seem so different, but it was hard for her to understand what was wrong with her. Blu wondered one day why she was not safely in the center of the school with the other young fish. Then he realized they were pushing her out. Even some of the older fish felt she did not belong in the school and should be expelled and cast out. Then Hope did something totally unexpected, and things began to change for the better.

David A. Neumeier's aquatic fantasy, Hope: The Story of a Banana-Fish, is fun and inspirational all at once. Hope's story will resonate with many readers who may think of themselves as different from, or not as good as, others who seem to be so much alike. This fable works on a number of levels and should appeal to imaginative people of all ages. It's written at a young adult and adult level, but I think it would be a great read-aloud story as well. The legend behind the banana-fish and the banana-crabs is a fascinating one, and the teller of the tale is prodigious. As I was reading the last few pages, I started wondering if the author was going to write a sequel to Hope's story. I hope so. The characters in this book are marvelous, and I'd love to read more about their lives and adventures. Hope: The Story of a Banana-Fish is most highly recommended.

Hope: The Story of a Banana-Fish by David A. Neumeier is an underwater adventure starring a unique banana-fish whose colors and fins are different than her fellow fish, and for this she is ridiculed and bullied. Her parents refuse to banish her from their school, as suggested by others. Her father makes a new job for her as defender of the school and lets her sleep with the mature fish when he sees the tricks and speed that she is capable of with her fins. He thinks it will earn respect from the other fish and they will stop teasing her. As the story follows Hope through some pretty scary predator attacks and natural disasters, she makes unusual friends and learns valuable life lessons.

Hope: The Story of a Banana-Fish was an interesting read on different levels. It told the story of the banana-fish, how it evolved, and why it ate bananas. It described the other creatures of the sea, and in the story those characters played entertaining and compelling parts. It contained humor, excitement, and sadness. It taught about the circle of life. Hope was an inspiration every time she risked her own life to help others. She also made friends with sea creatures that the banana-fish wouldn't think were appropriate. She didn't judge one catfish based on what other catfish did. I enjoyed the story and found it suitable for adults and children too. I felt it was similar to Finding Nemo, and I think it would be popular as a film. David A. Neumeier wrote a fantastic adventure, and I recommend it.

Hope: The Story of a Banana-Fish by David A. Neumeier is an enchanting story of survival, trust, friendship, courage, interdependence, and tolerance, and is perfect for children and adolescents trying to make their way in a complex, confusing and sometimes frightening world. Although the society of a coral reef is certainly different from human society, there are strong parallels from which valuable lessons may be learned in this entertaining and heartwarming tale. Hope, the banana-fish of the title, is born with never-before-seen enlarged fins which enable her to swim expertly and evade predators with ease. As she learns to accept and refine her gifts, she must face ridicule and discrimination from members of her own school, life-threatening predators, storms, and self-doubt. Along the way, she makes some unexpected friends and changes the way those in her society view the world around them.

Written with a laid-back storyteller’s charm, accompanied by an illustrated prologue to help young readers understand the biology of the real-life coral reef denizens who make up its cast of characters, Hope: The Story of a Banana-Fish is as educational as it is entertaining. Hope’s story will inspire and delight as it teaches important lessons about the cycle of life and the fragile ecosystem in which they live. On a moral and ethical level, the anthropomorphic adventures of Hope and her friends and family teach that we are all dependent upon one another for survival in a sometimes hostile world, and that we must work together for the good of all -- valuable and timely messages for modern living.

Hope: The Story of a Banana-Fish by David A. Neumeier is a perfect fable for adults to share with children. Rooted in real science and filled with warmth and whimsy, it is sure to delight and inspire the young and the young at heart.