The Road by McCarthy (not a YA novel)

The reviews on this book say it's McCarthy's most readable book. That might be true, but it doesn't mean it's fun to read. The book follows a man and his son as they struggle to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. There, the only remaining people have turned cannibalistic and the world itself is dying.

I think it's supposed to be a morality tale, emphasizing the innate goodness of children and the need for keeping the flame in the face of overwhelming odds. Personally, I don't think the message is strong enough to pierce the gloom of the work. I know it won all sorts of awards and whatnot, but there are better books that have the same message.