Finally, the barb’s edge raises ethical questions about snark among friends. Disparagement humor can build closeness, but it can also bruise if misread. Sutherland’s series often shows consequences and reconciliation, modeling how young heroes calibrate honesty, empathy, and boundaries. Thus the line becomes more than a joke; it is a rehearsal for responsibility—inviting readers to wield wit with precision, and to know when to pivot from mockery to care. [...]
