Adrift in the Pacific

I'm curious whether Verne drew from personal voyages or stories when crafting the daring adventures of the characters. Did any real-life events inspire specific scenes?

While I appreciated the vivid imagery, I wonder if younger readers might find those parts a bit slow. Was that intentional to build atmosphere or a challenge for pacing?

It creates a sense of pure adventure and innocence, but I'm curious if Verne wanted to emphasize childhood resilience and ingenuity.