LEWISTON – A Lewiston woman wants to keep local children from seeing an acclaimed sex education book, “It’s Perfectly Normal.” So she checked out copies from the Lewiston and Auburn public libraries.

And she won’t give them back.

“Since I have been sufficiently horrified of the illustrations and the sexually graphic, amoral abnormal contents, I will not be returning the books,” JoAn Karkos wrote the local libraries last month.

A check for $20.95 accompanied each letter to cover the cost of the book.

“This has never happened before,” said Rick Speer, director of the Lewiston Public Library. “It is clearly theft.”

He may even ask police for help.

Though he sent back the check, along with a form Karkos could use to request the book’s removal from library shelves, he may take action in court if she doesn’t return what she borrowed.

“That’s really what we want,” Speer said. “We want the book back.”

It seems unlikely.

In her second letter to Speer, Karkos cited a war on morality and called the volume “pornographic.”

“The truth is the contents of the book in question leads to a lot of misery, pain, lack of freedom, and often death,” Karkos wrote.

Written by Robie H. Harris and illustrated by Michael Emberley, the book was published in 1993. Subtitled “Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex & Sexual Health,” the book features frank but cartoon-like illustrations of naked people in chapters on topics such as abstinence, masturbation and sexually transmitted diseases.

According to its publisher, Massachusetts-based Candlewick Press, it has been sold in 25 countries and translated into 21 languages.

Planned Parenthood has championed the book, including an interview with the author on its Web site. But the book has been harshly criticized by conservative groups such as Concerned Women for America and the anti-abortion American Life League.

In 2005, the book topped the American Library Association’s list of most challenged books. The list also included books by J.D. Salinger, Toni Morrison and Judy Blume.

In 23 years as a librarian, Speer said he has faced only two challenges.

None was like this.

Rosemary Waltos, the director of the Auburn Public Library, called Karkos’ decision not to return the book “an inappropriate act.”

And it will likely be fruitless, Waltos said.

“If somebody wants a copy, they can get one,” she said. At least three dozen Maine libraries have copies available for interlibrary loan, she said.

In the past six years – as far back as the Lewiston library keeps its records – the book has been checked out only 16 times. It was renewed 15 times.

Both libraries have ordered replacements for the books Karkos took. In fact, since the Sun Journal published a letter to the editor from Karkos condemning the book, requests have risen, so Speer ordered two more copies.

If people have an objection, they are welcome to talk to him. They can also submit an official request for removal of the book from the library.

“We have a policy of covering all the sides of controversial issues,” he said.

A notice comes with every library card. In fact, parents are encouraged to accompany their children to the library.

“We don’t restrict what kids borrow,” he said. “We can’t act in a role of parent.”

The book issue will be discussed Wednesday by the Lewiston Board of Library Trustees. Speer will ask for reactions and feedback.

Karkos could not be reached for comment on Monday.