In the case of The Institute, those were all HIGHLY traumatized kids. Children with that level of trauma don't communicate well. I thought it was, at the very least, well thought out in their interactions, even if it wasn't exactly how kids interact. They eventually formed trauma bonds and on and on... I don't want to ruin it too much for anyone else. Someone else brought up Fairy Tale. My interpretation of that young man was a little bit of superimposing older kids attitudes on younger kids personalities. I think that's ok. I always tried to impress the geezers when I was younger, it does track that modern kids could at least attempt to do the same.

Are either of those my favorite books of his? Nah, but I did buy and read them all the way through. It's funny, Duma Key is the one closest to me at this point in my life (not because of major injury, just because of age) and I don't identify with that character at ALL.

I don't agree OP, I think the dialogue is written with intent. But you are 100% welcome to your opinions!