Nevada County People: Young author to start book tour

After more than a year of working on his book about living with his great-grandmother's dementia, Grass Valley author Joseph Voigt, 12, will autograph copies of his published tome.

Joseph will sign "My Grandma has Alzheimer's too" at the opening of a two-month book tour from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. May 24 at Highgate Senior Living, 415 Sierra College Dr., and from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. May 31 at The Book Seller, 107 Mill St., both in Grass Valley.

On May 22, watch for Joseph from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on KCRA, when he gives a live interview.

Dixie Morton Vaughn, the subject of his book, died in early February at the age of 79, surrounded by her family, said Joseph's mother, Kathy Phillipson.

"We were gathered around her in prayer, and when we opened our eyes, she had slipped away," Phillipson said, calling it a "glorious death."

Joseph, now a sixth-grader at Lyman Gilmore Middle School in Grass Valley, feels somewhat uncomfortable with his work, Phillipson said. The book is based on his journals starting when he was 6 and chronicles his sometimes frustrating experiences with Vaughn's memory lapses and childish behavior.

Phillipson cared for Vaughn, her grandmother, at her home for several years.

The published version reproduces the colorful, handwritten pages he offered DNA Press LLC, based in Eagleville, Pa.

"When Joseph wrote this, he was very young," Phillipson said. "When he saw the book, he said, 'Mom, it looks like a baby.' He was afraid his friends at school would tease him. It has only two photos of Grammy, and he said, 'Mom, we should have added more pictures.'"

The book is intended to help other children dealing with a family member who has the degenerative condition.

Joseph's book tour will take him to assisted living facilities, schools, libraries and bookstores throughout the region, Phillipson said.

The book costs $12.95 and is available locally and also at www.ipgbook.com/showbook.cfm?bookid=19332.

To contact City Editor Trina Kleist, e-mail tkleist@theunion.com or call 477-4230.