Audiobooks narrated by James Sie

Bad to Blue: The True Story of a Chinatown Gangster Turned NYPD Detective

"In this intimate and harrowing memoir, a former Chinese gang member tells the story of how he went from “bad to blue” by leaving the gang behind and becoming a New York City police detective. Nestled in the warm embrace of his immigrant grandmother, Mike Moy was raised hearing bloodcurdling tales of the brutal life she escaped in China. But growing up on the mean streets of Manhattan’s Chinatown, Mike has also faced shocking violence coupled with destructive racism. In a tight-knit community besieged with fear and alienation, teenage Mike takes refuge in one of Chinatown’s notorious gangs, tattooing his membership in Fuk Ching on his body. The gangs’ fearsome reputations are warranted. Frequenting gambling dens and pool halls, Mike and a boisterous band of gangmates run amok: selling and shooting guns, stealing, and running protection schemes. But the fast pace and constant danger take a terrible toll, with friends being killed or sent to prison—the inevitable end for most gang members. But vexing questions are raised for young Mike after he learns the extraordinary story of a cop who forgave the young shooter who made him a paraplegic. NYPD Officer Steven McDonald’s morality and compassion arouse a longing deep within Mike to be one of the “good guys.” In a world-changing turnaround expected by no one, Mike joins the NYPD. By donning that blue uniform, he gets the adrenaline-driven lifestyle he craves while staying on the right side of the law. But coming clean is not so easy. Patrolling the streets he once terrorized, he fears the exposure of his secret past. Anyone identifying him as a former gang member could lead to investigations, expulsion from the NYPD, media scandal, and legal charges for past crimes. And what would his former gangmates think if they found out he’d joined “the enemy”? Packed with violence, heartbreak, and love, Mike tells the triumphant story of one man’s transformation—even as bullets fly just above his head."

Mike Moy (Author), James Sie (Narrator)

Audiobook

Little Golden Treasury, Volume 2: The Shy Little Kitten; Tootle; Home for a Bunny; The Three Bears;

"The Shy Little Kitten, by Cathleen Schurr. This beloved Little Golden Book tells the tale of a shy little kitten who meets a mole, a frog, a puppy, and a squirrel in one adventure-filled day. Tootle, by Gertrude Crampton. Tootle is a young locomotive who loves to chase butterflies through the meadow. But he must learn to stay on the tracks no matter what-if he ever hopes to achieve his dream of being a Flyer between New York and Chicago! Home for a Bunny, by Margaret Wise Brown. Follow this furry, lovable bunny on his springtime journey to find a home in this Little Golden Book classic! The Three Bears. Listen along to this Golden Book version of the classic tale, where three bears encounter an unusual young intruder who interrupts the rhythm of their day. The Little Red Hen. Young children will learn a valuable lesson about teamwork from this funny, favorite folktale of Little Red Hen working hard to plant her wheat. The Sailor Dog, by Margaret Wise Brown. Scuppers the Dog wants to be a sailor. He was born at sea and he wants nothing more than to return to water. Finally, after a long time, Scuppers gets the chance to go out into the deep blue ocean-but his ship gets wrecked! Oh no! But Scuppers won't let that bother him. He fixes his boat and gets right back to it!"

Cathleen Schurr, Gertrude Crampton, Margaret Wise Brown (Author), Cassandra Campbell, Emily Marso, Greg D. Barnett, Imani Parks, James Sie, Torian Brackett (Narrator)

Audiobook

Cracking the China Conundrum: Why Conventional Economic Wisdom Is Wrong

"China's rise is altering global power relations, reshaping economic debates, and commanding tremendous public attention. Despite extensive media and academic scrutiny, the conventional wisdom about China's economy is often wrong. Cracking the China Conundrum provides a holistic and contrarian view of China's major economic, political, and foreign policy issues. Yukon Huang trenchantly addresses widely accepted yet misguided views in the analysis of China's economy. Huang explains that misconceptions arise in part because China's economic system is unprecedented in many ways—namely because it's driven by both the market and state—which complicates the task of designing accurate and adaptable analysis and research. Further, China's size, regional diversity, and uniquely decentralized administrative system poses difficulties for making generalizations and comparisons from micro to macro levels when trying to interpret China's economic state accurately. This book not only interprets the ideologies that experts continue building misguided theories upon, but also examines the contributing factors to this puzzle. Cracking the China Conundrum provides an enlightening and corrective viewpoint on several major economic and political foreign policy concerns currently shaping China's economic environment."

Yukon Huang (Author), James Sie (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Shaanxi Opera: A Novel

"Winner of the Mao Dun Literature Prize. From one of China’s most celebrated authors comes a masterful novel about modernity and tradition, love and obsession, and economic change and quixotic dreams—all set against the backdrop of a rapidly urbanizing China. In post–Cultural Revolution China, in the fading village of Freshwind, the fates of two households are shifting. The Bais, once the most powerful family in the region, have fallen from status. Their beautiful daughter, Snow Bai, an embodiment of tradition, pursues a career in a vanishing art form. The Xias, enthusiastic members of the Party, are on the rise. Their favorite son, Wind Xia, is a citified politician whose marriage to Snow Bai could unite the two families. But in a village casting about for a new road to prosperity, fortunes can change. Watching it all unfold is a local outcast named Spark. The inveterate busybody is given to strange visions and flights of fancy, and is motivated by the only constant in Freshwind: his mad love for Snow Bai. Expansive, funny, monumental, and deeply poignant, Jia Pingwa’s The Shaanxi Opera is a keenly observant portrait of China in an era of globalization, societal upheaval, and the growing influence of popular culture."

Jia Pingwa (Author), James Sie (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Stand-Up Groomsman

"'A low-angst charmer.'-New York Times Book Review A bridesmaid and groomsman put their differences aside to get their best friends down the aisle in this opposites-attract steamy romantic comedy from the author of Love, Lies, and Cherry Pie. They say to never meet your heroes, but when Vivian Liao's roommate gets engaged to her favorite actor's costar, she has no choice but to come face-to-face with Melvin Lee again. He's just as funny and handsome as he is on-screen...but he thinks she's an ice queen and a corporate sellout. It's none of his business how she chooses to live her life, no matter how charismatic he is. Mel is used to charming audiences as an actor and stand-up comedian, but he can't seem to thaw Vivian's defenses. If she can ignore the simmering attraction below the surface, so can he. The only thing uniting them is their goal for their friends' wedding to go off without a hitch. As they collaborate on wedding cake and karaoke parties, Mel realizes he might have seriously misjudged this bridesmaid, while Vivian discovers the best man might just be as dazzling off-screen as he is on. With the wedding underway, maybe more than one happily ever after is in the future."

Jackie Lau (Author), Eunice Wong, James Sie (Narrator)

Audiobook

I am I. M. Pei

"The world-renowned architect I. M. Pei is the twenty-fourth hero in the New York Times bestselling picture book biography series, adapted for audio. This friendly, fun biography series focuses on the traits that made our heroes great--the traits that kids can aspire to in order to live heroically themselves. Each book tells the story of an icon in a lively, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers and that always includes the hero's childhood influences. This book features I. M. Pei, the award-winning Chinese American architect whose projects include the John F. Kennedy Library and the pyramid at the Louvre."

Brad Meltzer (Author), Caroline Mclaughlin, Catherine Ho, Feodor Chin, Francois Chau, Graham Halstead, James Sie, Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Rob Shapiro (Narrator)

Audiobook

Soul Lanterns

"The haunting and poignant story of a how a young Japanese girl's understanding of the historic and tragic bombing of Hiroshima is transformed by a memorial lantern-floating ceremony. A Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of the Century Twelve-year-old Nozomi lives in the Japanese city of Hiroshima. She wasn't even born when the bombing of Hiroshima took place. Every year Nozomi joins her family at the lantern-floating ceremony to honor those lost in the bombing. People write the names of their deceased loved ones along with messages of peace, on paper lanterns and set them afloat on the river. This year Nozomi realizes that her mother always releases one lantern with no name. She begins to ask questions, and when complicated stories of loss and loneliness unfold, Nozomi and her friends come up with a creative way to share their loved ones' experiences. By opening people's eyes to the struggles they all keep hidden, the project teaches the entire community new ways to show compassion. Soul Lanterns is an honest exploration of what happened on August 6, 1945, and offers readers a glimpse not only into the rich cultural history of Japan but also into the intimate lives of those who recognize--better than most--the urgent need for peace."

Shaw Kuzki (Author), James Sie (Narrator)

Audiobook

I am Oprah Winfrey

"Deeply influential cultural icon Oprah Winfrey is the twenty-fifth hero in this New York Times bestselling picture book biography series, adapted for audio. This friendly, fun biography series focuses on the traits that made our heroes great--the traits that kids can aspire to in order to live heroically themselves. Each book tells the story of an icon in a lively, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers and that always includes the hero's childhood influences. This book features critically acclaimed talk show host Oprah Winfrey, who used her struggles in childhood as motivation to become 'Queen of All Media.'"

Brad Meltzer (Author), Caroline Mclaughlin, Catherine Ho, Graham Halstead, James Sie, Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Karen Chilton, Kevin R. Free, Zoleka Vundla (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Bear in My Family

"An overbearing older sibling can really be a bear, but the child in this understated, gently humorous story finds out that they can have their advantages, too. 'I live with a bear,' the story's young narrator declares. The bear is loud, messy, uncouth, and very strong (too strong!). For some reason, his parents treat the bear like family, despite his protests. Why can't they see? Then he runs into some bullies on the playground. When the bear ROOAARS with all her might and scares them away, he realizes that there are advantages to having a bear in the family. In a delightful twist, the narrator's older sister (the bear) appears, telling him that she is NOT a bear. But if she is, HE is too--because two bears are even better than one!"

Maya Tatsukawa (Author), James Sie (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by James Sie