Chapter Notes	Novel: Painting the Black	

Chapters 1–5	Key Events	Setting/Situation
Changes in setting or situation	
New Characters	New kid moves into Ryan’s block: Josh.

Ryan introduces himself, and they 
play catch.

Ryan helps Josh unpack and sees his bulletin board full of 
his winning accomplishments.

Ryan remembers his Little League days, his friend Brett, and his accident.

	Ryan lives in a suburb of Seattle, on a street with no other kids.
 He was born early, after a car accident on a camping trip. Since then his folks have been very protective, and he’s been often sick.

The only other kid who lived on the street could climb trees. Ryan tried to climb as high and fell out of the tree and broke himself up really badly.

He wishes he’d let Brett have his moment, and not tried to show him up.	

Ryan-17/18 yrs old. Used to play ball. Modest—he doesn’t tell his baseball glory stories to Josh.
Ryan’s mom—sells real estate, immaculate, protective of Ryan
Ryan’s dad—a banker, particular, always “Charles”
Josh—big, strong kid, Ryan’s age, maybe jealous of his older brother, 
his room is full of his winning headlines, is he conceited?
Josh’s dad—grouchy? A plumber 
Josh’s mom-proud of her oldest son, works for Microsoft, is she also proud of Josh?
			
Important Quotes & Page Numbers 	Explanation	
“He lived on that borderline. I know because I was his catcher” p. 3, foreshadow? “I was right there with Josh when he reached out for that championship ring.” p. 3
	For the rest of the chapters Ryan explains that he’s not a catcher and hasn’t played ball in years, since his accident. But he is Josh’s catcher, so he must change 
in the story.
	
New Terms/Vocabulary	Additional Comments	
Conceited—exaggerated sense of self
Umpire—referree	Also, Josh “lived on that line”. Is this foreshadowing? 
Is there something about Josh that is borderline or on the edge?