In this steampunk adventure, set in an alternate 1960s California, two young boys with a passion for the works of a Jules Verne-like novelist embark on a fantastical journey. They become entangled in a quest to reach the center of the Earth, a dream pursued by their fathers before them. The boys' mission is fraught with eccentric characters, including a mad scientist and a secretive society, as they navigate a world filled with bizarre contraptions and prehistoric creatures. Their voyage is not only a physical one but also a rite of passage, as they discover the true meaning of friendship and courage.

The 4831st greatest book of all time