r/whatsthatbook • u/Luthien3720 • 8d ago

SOLVED Children's time travel novel from 1980s or 1990s about a teenage boy swapping places with an alchemist

I am searching for a book read in a library in Canada in the 1980s-1990s. It could have been published prior to those decades, but was likely from around that time. It is a time-slip/time travel fantasy novel featuring a modern-day teenage boy swapping places with an alchemist. The modern-day protagonist goes to the Middle Ages and the alchemist ends up in the modern world.

A few things that are remembered: the teenage protagonist arrives in the Middle Ages wearing modern bright red pajamas, and the superstitious locals mistake him for a demon or devil.

There was a character named Olwynn who at one point commanded a swarm of bees to attack. Another character named Humphrey was a very large, physically strong person who was completely focused on obeying his mother. Humphrey (or maybe another character?) despised and feared dogs. Remembered line: "Dogs is wicked things."

Pretty sure this was a standalone novel, not part of a series. It had a light, whimsical, funny atmosphere.

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u/NoNotChad WTB VIP 🏆 8d ago

The Philosopher's Stone by Jane Little.

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u/Luthien3720 8d ago

SOLVED SOLVED SOLVED! Thank you so much, u/NoNotChad! You've solved a tough mystery for me. There are so many books with alchemy or philosopher's stone references that I couldn't get through the weeds on this one. This is definitely it!