what is the message of moby dick

Wow there are so many things we can learn from this work. I think the main lesson can be found in Ahab's mad obsession to kill the whale. Reason really doesn't come into play for him even at the risk of his ship, his crew and his own life. We have obsessions of our own. For some people it is money and for others it can be drugs or work. Many people don't see the price they pay for their desire or others that they hurt in mad pursuit of it.

I was thinking about reading this to kids (ages 10 & 5) bit by bit at bedtime. Thoughts?

I think the engaging point of this novel is mainly Ahab's revenge. The twist and turnings of the plot. The theme is that Ahab's obsession led him to his own destruction and only caused him suffering. He lost all his friends and the people close to him. The main lesson I got from Moby Dick is that having an obsession with a particular thing isn't bad but too much of something is also not good for you.