Squeeze

The X-Files: Middle Grade #4

by Ellen Steiber

Four Dead, One to go

FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully are tracking a four-time serial killer, and all of the evidence points to the impossible: a killer who can squeeze through an air duct or slide down a chimney. A killer who has never left a trace - except for a fingerprint ten inches long. A killer who has struck down five victims every thirty years - since 1903. Mulder and Scully don't know how this monster of a man has endured for the entire twentieth century. But they do know that this is the year for the creature to kill, and it's closing in on it fifth and final victim.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Horror, Paranormal, Mystery, Middle Grade, Tv

102 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 1996

About the author

ELLEN STEIBER is a horror and fantasy writer for both adults and children. Her books for young readers include SQUEEZE, SHADOW OF THE FOX, and TALES OF THE GROSS AND GRUESOME. She lives in Tucson, Arizona.

Reviews

[Nats · Rating 2 out of 5]

bardzo dobrze wydane 5zł

[Stephen the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Squeeze is a novelization of an early Season One episode of The X-Files, and is intended for a juvenile audience. FBI Agents Mulder and Scully investigate a series of ritualistic killings by somebody capable of contorting and elongating his body in order to pass through impossibly narrow gaps. While faced with intense opposition from other agents in the Bureau, the intrepid duo deduce that their murder suspect may be a genetic mutant who has been killing for nearly a century, as far back as 1903.

When it comes to monster-of-the-week installments, "Squeeze" is as classic as it gets—and that's not because it's the series' first standalone episode. The story bears no connection to the show's overarching mythology of shadowy government conspiracies to hide the existence of aliens and UFOs from the general populace, but the chase to apprehend liver-loving mutant Eugene Tooms is couched in an interesting character conflict for Agent Scully, who makes a firm career decision to throw in her lot with Mulder as opposed to coveting a seat at the FBI's "cool-kids table."

The writing is basic and unremarkable, and the characters as they're portrayed in the confines of this tiny novella lack definition. Author Ellen Steiber would later find her stride in novelizing X-Files stories for the young-adult series. Nevertheless, Squeeze is eerie and compelling enough to keep younger readers interested for the thirty minutes needed to finish this book. However, adult readers would be better off reading the unique X-Files tales by Kevin J. Anderson or Charles Grant.

[Sara Santos · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5

[Sarah (is clearing her shelves) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 - Second (and last) book of The X-Files: Middle Grade series that I own (although not for long, as they're both going in the library donate pile). The writing is slightly more mature, fortunately, for the more sophisticated reader. The plot is possibly even more disturbing and less appropriate for 'middle grade' readers than X Marks the Spot; with the eating of livers, bile infused nests, and a man who can get into your house no matter how much security you have (definitely creepy enough to induce nightmares in the hardiest of adult readers). This has long been one of my favourite episodes as it was quite scary, the idea that no matter what you do to make yourself safe he can still get in, and I think that translates quite clearly to the page. To be continued...

5/5 - The ending had my heart pounding as I read of the battle between Scully and Toombs, but I did get a bit irritated by the constant refrain of "if Toombs got his hands on her/him she/he wouldn't stand a chance", which was obviously an exaggeration as Toombs had a hold on Scully a couple of times and both times she got free without anything more serious than scrapes and bruises. Although Squeeze earned a 1/2 to 1 star more than X Marks the Spot it's still being donated to the library this morning - now that I've reviewed it I wouldn't read it again.

[M Florencia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being this book a graded reader, I will review it as such.
If you've watched the series and you're a teacher, this reader is great. Not only does it count with plenty of activities and extra info about the main characters' interpreters (Duchovny and Anderson), but it also summarises the episode very well. The way it's written is suitable for upper intermediate readers and what I loved about it is that, when the characters are talking, they use language that can be also spotted in the episode, which gives teachers another tool to work on the text in class.
As regards the story itself, this episode is one of the best in the series, I must say. As a fan of the X-Files, I adored reading it and I think the topic is very interesting if we are thinking about using it in class.
I would recommend it for all the reasons I've listed above. It's a good-quality story which will keep readers paying attention till the end.

[Klley · Rating 4 out of 5]

i made a diarama for this book for a project for my book club, the diarama was based off of a scene where there is a dirty mattress, a secret entrance to a dingy underground lair, and a big nest full of bile and newspapers. this diarama was the grossest.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somewhere between Pennywise and Mr Fantastic lives one of the most memorable antagonists in the X-Files. Eugene Tooms is formidably alien. He is violent, graphic, and barren of humanity behind a mask of a face - but what shines too is the characterization of Mulder and Scully, their building relationship, and the outside forces from supposed allies that crash against them. Well-rounded and freaking creepy!

[Ethan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn’t as creepy as the episode itself but oh boy was this a spooky time and that final line is killer.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

[Kristīne Līcis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ceremonial pre-donation re-reading in respect and recognition of the hours of escape and entertainment the books of this and similar series offered me almost 30 years ago. And it doesn’t really matter that the writing is quite simplistic and the characters - one-dimensional. It kept me engaged and intrigued, and, more importantly, made me forget that I didn’t really speak English.

”I want to believe!”

[Regalia Lenzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Krótka historia o zabójcy, który wszędzie się wśliźnie.

I na początku fakt, że wiemy, kto to jest trochę uwierający i szkoda, że nie ukryli jego tożsamości, ale. Ale potem już fajnie się czyta, jakież toto teorie przedstawiają nasi agencji, by opisać, co to za stwór jest. No fajnie wyszło, nie jakoś zajebiście epicko, ale jest okej.

[Kylie Abecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nowhere near as good as the other books I’ve read in this series. It was quite boring most of the way through and only got interesting in the last couple of chapters. I did like the way it ended though.

[Kristi Clemow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy these stories - having never watched the series, I don't know what is missing or inaccurate - but I like the writing style for a middle grade story. Wish there were more of them in the series. Personal spoiler summary in comments

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characterization was a little off and some of the facts about Scully and Mulder didn’t match what we already knew from canon by the publishing date in 1996. But it was a fun little read to revisit a great MOTW regardless.

[LealooDallas · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite episodes of the X files and was great to relive it in my minds eye as I was reading it.

This series of books are so simple, easy and quick to read. Thoroughly enjoying being transported back to being a young teen again.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story. Very good x-factor theme.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I sure do have a daughter who loves me.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic episode and a great read.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pleasantly surprised by how well this book was written. Great descriptions and suspense! After one of the best classic episodes. Loved it!

[Devo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yeah, sure, put the alien behind bars. I would have liked it to be longer, but scary enough as it is.

[Nika ;) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uwielbiam ten duet, tą relacje, przyjaźń. Zagadki jak zawsze niezwykłe.

[Maria Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Questo fu un episodio che lasciò il segno, magnifico!
Potevano farne un gran romanzo, invece siamo al riassunto del riassunto.
Peccato

[a🪴 · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book made it canon that mulder went to harvard my smart little fbi agent we love you deeply.

[Gloo The third · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having never watched the series, I just love this tiny book series!

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

happy halloween!

[Malcolm Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books is a literal write-up of the third episode of season 1. It was easy to read and told the story accurately. I would say this is a 'bare bones' write-up in that there is little to no embellishment upon what was shown on screen. There may be a bit more clarity regarding what a character is thinking at any particular moment, but nothing that couldn't be inferred. The only advantages to reading the book rather than just watching the show is that the dialogue is easily readable and not muffled by mumbling actors and it can be read on and off anywhere. At barely over 100 pages it can even be read in the time taken to watch it.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a child's spooky story, this definitely hits the mark (it might even be a little darker than intended, as it deals with murder and bloody crime scenes, as well as supernatural monsters - be cautioned). As an adult, it's a little simplistic, but this X-Files story is one of my favorites, and it's very well delivered in this novelization. I like the opportunity books give to see inside the characters' heads, and Scully's frustration with her bull-headed partner is especially fun and accurate. Just read it! Written for kids, its so short and easy, but so satisfying.

[Mike Jozic · Rating 2 out of 5]

Continuing my fannish consumption of all things X-Files, I've started listening to the audio versions of these Young Readers adaptations of series episodes. For the most part they're pretty pedestrian and add very little to the overall narrative, but if you need a little Mulder and Scully in your life and this is all you've got, it does the trick. I am looking forward to seeing what some of the authors of later adaptations do with the material. Garth Nix, in particular.

[Carlos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really light, short, read. I liked the plot even though they weren't so many twist and turns. What I didn't quite liked was that we knew who te killer was even before the half of the book. But overall the book was good.

[Tanis · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can't really ask any more from this book, its just like watching an episode of the X-Files, a type of spooky thriller that's a quick and easy read. If I see any more of these books knocking around in charity shops I'd buy them, I don't imagine they're still still in print.