SOLVED. SF colonist boy's brother finds a big alien cat and boy raises him as pet named Mikey [s]

[Amy (Other Amy)]

I read this in the late 80s/early 90s. I don't remember anything about the cover or the author. It was a sci fi book (YA I believe, and book or novella length I'm pretty sure; I read it in paperback or hardcover I think) in which a boy has been keeping an alien pet he names Mikey. Mikey is a big cat with his eyes sealed shut (apparently developmental; he is a kitten yet). I think Mikey was found by the boy's older brother, who has died. However, it turns out that (view spoiler)[the brother is not dead; he had to fake his death and remove all identifying characteristics when he joined a special government agency which investigates alien contacts, I think (hide spoiler)]. That part is kind of fuzzy, though. What stands out is that they think Mikey is a dumb animal, but (view spoiler)[the brothers somehow end up taking him back to the valley he was found in, his eyes open, and the boy realizes he is an advanced sentient being, and that there is no way he was accidentally lost, and this whole thing is somehow a test of whether humanity is worthy (to continue existing? I'm not sure). The boy is the one who has to answer due to his bond with Mikey, but he can't think of any redeeming qualities of humanity. (hide spoiler)] I would like to reread the ending, because I don't remember quite how it all wraps up.

[Tab]

Were the boys located on Earth or some other planet?

[Amy (Other Amy)]

I think they were on another planet (pretty sure).

[Barbara]

Have you checked Andre Norton's works? She did a lot with cats. Maybe Star Ka'at?

[Amy (Other Amy)]

I will take a look. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Amy (Other Amy)]

Definitely not the Star Ka'at series. I am not at all familiar with Andre Norton, but looking through the covers on Amazon, nothing looks quite like the story I am searching for. (If anyone has more familiarity with this author feel free to direct me.) When I say big cat, I am thinking tiger sized, although that may have been my imagination.

[Debbie's Spurts (D.A.)]

Are you sure it was called "Mikey" and not "Lummox" or "Willis"? (The Star Beast or Red Planet).

[Amy (Other Amy)]

I'm 99.9% sure the alien's name was Mikey (and 100% certain he was described as being like a cat, I think a very large one). It's definitely neither of those. (They look interesting though.) Thanks for the suggestions.

Edited to add: Now that I'm looking, I have read Red Planet and forgotten it, so thanks for remembering it to me even though it is not this specific request!

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Beast Master's Circus is the closest Andre Norton I can think of--and it isn't even remotely close and is several decades too new. And it is NONE of the Star Ka'at series.

You checked the rest of Heinlein's books, right? He did a lot, and while I can't think of one that specifically fits, but, well, it seems like the kind of book he'd have written.

[Amy (Other Amy)]

I have been looking through Heinlein's books, but nothing so far fits (again, prolific author I'm not familiar with, so if anyone else has direction to offer I'll gladly take it). I was hopeful for Starman Jones as I am trying hard to remember the two names given to the older brother, and Jones sounds right, but that book isn't even close to this story. Also, the government agency mentioned in the book was entirely benign to the best of my recollection, which doesn't fit with what I know of Heinlein's work (but I don't know a whole lot about this subject). I'll keep looking through his stuff, I've a ways to go yet.

[D.M.]

Not YA,but Gordon Dickson's Masters of Everron may be this book

[D.M.]

Not YA,but Gordon Dickson's Masters of Everron may be this book

[Amy (Other Amy)]

Masters Of Everon is it. Thank you so much!